World Disability with Sikkim Viklang Sahayata Samiti

The Sikkim Viklang Sahayata Samiti [SVSS] observed World Disability Day on 03 December at its office here at Zero Point with Governor Shriniwas Patil as the chief guest. Also present were Prabhakar Verma [DC- East], R Telang [Secretary to the Governor], Tempo Bhutia [President, SVSS] and other dignitaries. After the short programme, the Governor handed out appreciation letters to the people involved in helping differently abled children, chaired a formal interaction with the differently abled children and inaugurated the Khada-making unit started by SVSS and the vehicle donated by Pareekh Foundation, Agra to SVSS.

In his short address, the Governor shared that he had been involved in work with differently-abled children for quite some time now through NGOs in Maharashtra, his home state, and was also conferred the Apang Pitra Puraskar for his work there.

These differently abled, he stressed, need to be provided an opportunity to showcase their skills by the state government and the NGOs working with them. And to assist this process, he assured that the Governor and the Raj Bhawan were always ready to help.

Earlier, the SVSS President Tempo Bhutia presented the annual report of the organisation. He also informed the gathering about the boarding school coming up at Tokal Bermoik in South Sikkim for the differently-abled children.

The Governor donated Rs. One lakh to SVSS on the day and assured continued support to organization. Meanwhile, it was also informed that the Health Department had contributed Rs. 6 lakhs out of the Rs. 8 lakhs required by SVSS to make eight pairs of artificial hands needed for the differently abled children in Sikkim. Further donations are being sought to meet the shortfall.

Also on the day, SVSS felicitated the following people and organization: Sherab Lepcha [Casino Mahjong], Urban Development & Housing Department, HK Sharma [Capacity Building], Mimani Enterprises, Dental Department [STNM Hospital] and others.