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December 08, 2005
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"'Walk To Freedom' marks World Disability Day"－New Delhi
'Walk To Freedom', organized at the India Gate lawns on the occasion of
World Disability Day on Saturday, saw a crowd of 10,000 cheering the cause.
The event was organized by National Centre For Promotion of Empoloyment to
Disabled People (NCPEDP).
Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikishit was the guest of honour at the
function.
This year, the celebrations were centred around '10 years of the Disability
Act - It's time for act10N'. Many organisations working for the cause,
disabled people and schoolchildren from across the country participated
in the event. Said Sheila Dikshit, inaugurating the function :
"It is not individual but social responsibility to create awareness among
the physically disabled with regard to the facilities available for them and
how they can use them."
Javed Abidi, executive director , NCPEDP, said : "We have to create an
environment where they can lead life on equal terms. The first step in this
direction is creating a physically barrier-free environment where there are
ramps, lifts, braille and sign language."
The outlook towards disability could change only if the issue was under the
purview of human resource development ministry and not the ministry of
social justice and enpowerment, he added : "Disability is a development
issue, not a welfare issue.", he said.
The event kicked off with a cultural programme, including songs, dances and
skits. Barry John's theatre group Imago performed "Jaane mat dena yaaron", a
lively skit capturing society's callousness towards the disabled.
The eventrounded up with the 9th Walk to Freedom.
Posted by jicafriends at December 8, 2005 11:54 AM