Staff reporter
DIPHU, Sep 24: As per the direction of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment of the Government of India, the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) in association with the Department of Women and Child Development of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and Karbi Anglong District Administration, organised a Samajik Adhikarita Shivir on Sunday to distribute aids and assistive devices to divyangjans or the persons with disability of Karbi Anglong district. The event was conducted under the Assistance to Disabled Persons (ADIP) scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) here at the auditorium of Sarsing Teron (Langkung Habe) Memorial Town Hall.
As the chief guest on the occasion, KAAC CEM Dr. Tuliram Ronghang ceremonially distributed the aids and assistive appliances to the beneficiaries in the presence of MP of 3-Diphu (ST) Parliamentary Constituency Horensing Bey, KAAC EMs Rina Terangpi, Lunsing Teron and Richard Tokbi, MACs, Karbi Anglong District Commissioner Madhumita Bhagawati, Deputy Director General of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India Kishore B. Surwade and other dignitaries.
The programme started with the lighting of the lamp by Chief Guest Dr Tuliram Ronghang and dignitaries followed by a welcome address by Rajeshan Terang, secretary in-charge of the Women and Child Development department, KAAC. Terang welcomed all the guests present and beneficiaries and said that it was a matter of pride for all of us that Karbi Anglong had also been selected this time as one of the locations for the distribution of aids and assistive devices to divyangjans out of 74 locations across the country.
Addressing the gathering, in-charge EM of Women and Child Development department, KAAC Rina Terangpi informed that initially a total of 2466 beneficiaries would be distributed 4421 various aids and assistive devices such as 221 tricycles, 14 motorised tricycles, 663 folding wheelchairs, 46 CP chairs, 344 walking sticks, 946 crutches, 79 rollators, 1787 hearing aids, 237 canes, 2 cell phones, 2 ADL kits, 2 smartphones, and 48 braille kits under ADIP scheme of Government of India. She expressed hope that these assistive devices, which have been freely provided by the Government of India will tremendously help the needy in leading a normal life and their daily activities.
In his speech, Dr. Tuliram Ronghang, Chief Executive Member and Chief guest of the programme spoke about how the present government made life easier for divyangjans by augmenting facilities for them. He urged such people to come forward and avail the facilities provided by the government. He assured to provide Orunodoi scheme and ration cards to all divyangjans and asked them to get Ayushman Bharat cards to avail free treatment. He also informed that KAAC will take necessary steps to provide one-time financial assistance to all divyangjans in Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council territory in the next financial year. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma for taking such initiatives for the persons with disabilities.
MP Horensing Bey also spoke on the occasion as a special guest. He said that these aids and assistive devices are provided to divyangs with the aim of improving their quality of life and arresting the extent of their disability by the government as they need special assistance and equipment for their day-to-day activities.
He asked the departmental EM and the authorities of the Women and Child Development Department of the council to take necessary measures by writing to the Government of India’s Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment so that assistive devices can also be provided to the divyangjans who have been left out this time.
It is worth mentioning that 194 beneficiaries have been distributed aids and assistive devices for the first day and the rest will be distributed in the next three days.