Date:12/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/12/stories/2007101252340300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Step up support services for physically challenged: Manda

Staff Reporter

Making a point: Manda Krishna Madiga, MRPS leader addressing the 73 rd public meeting of the physically handicapped in Bhadrachalam on Thursday.

BHADRACHALAM: The MRPS leader, Manda Krishna Madiga on Thursday pledged his support for the cause of the 60 lakh physically challenged in the State.

Addressing the 73 rd meeting of the Vikalangula Hakkula Porata Samiti in the temple town, he wanted the government to step up the implementation of the support services for the physically handicapped. He said the issues related to the welfare of the physically challenged should be viewed above political and caste considerations. He sought the support of people from all walks of life for the success of the campaign taken up two months ago with a similar meeting in Visakhapatnam.

He said the demands of the physically challenged were all genuine and the government had got the responsibility to respond positively. He said that the cause of the handicapped was as important as the plight of the children with heart-ailments. Their issue would be raised on all fora until justice was meted out.

The MRPS had taken up the issue of the children with heart ailments in 2004 and gave sleepless nights to the governments.

The MRPS sponsored fight for the children with heart ailments took off from Khammam district only. He recalled that he was touched by the plight of a handicapped child in Rebbavaram near Wyra in 2004. Parents of many more such children subsequently and it all lead to the movement in favour of the children of the children with heart ailments in the State subsequently. Now it was an issue involving the self -respect of the handicapped people. Earlier, the physically handicapped youths took out a rally in the town and presented a memorandum to the revenue authorities seeking a solution to their problems.