Gangtok observes World Disability Day

GANGTOK, 04 Dec: World Disability Day was observed across the State on 03 December with a series of special programmes. In Gangtok, the Human Resource Development Department, under its Sarva Siksha Abhiyan [SSA], organized a rally by school children starting from Hotel Hungry Jack and ending at the Sir Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School [TNSSS] playground.

The programme had retired HRDD Director, Rudra Poudyal, as chief guest, Dr. Bela Cintury as guest of honour, president Vikalang Samiti, Dr. Hamal, Deputy Director, HRDD, teachers, children of Deorali, Modern, Paljor Namgyal Girls and Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary Schools and children with disability and special needs.
Addressing the gathering, the chief guest, Mr Poudyal stressed that no one was born disabled, but due to certain problems a person becomes disabled. Persons with disability, he stressed, have the right to live a full life just as a normal person.
He also spoke on the Right to Education Act and of how it extends even to children with special needs and added that differently-abled children have the right to take part in all activities in schools on an equal basis with others.
Earlier, Deputy Director, HRDD, in her welcome address, stated that differently abled children were very special children who needed special attention, while State Coordinator, Inclusive Education Cell, Jharna Sharma , in her power-point presentation, informed that the IEC was working on a pilot project of training teachers [special educators] and that 27 resource teachers [RT] and 22 Inclusive Education Volunteers [IEV] have been appointed and placed at all BACs to provide support to identified Children With Special Needs [CWSN].
A painting competition was also held for the children, where Hem Lal Gurung of Chuchachen School stood first, Sakina Khatoon of Modern School second and Bikram Bhattrai of Indira Memorial School stood third. Children with special needs were also felicitated and a wheel chair donated to Ruth Rai, daughter of Dil Bahadur Rai of Ranka.