Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Disabled have special skills, says Kanimozhi

CHENNAI: DMK Rajya Sabha Member Kanimozhi on Thursday highlighted the need for acknowledging that people with disability possessed special skills and could contribute a great deal to the growth of any business.

Ms. Kanimozhi was speaking at the felicitation function organised by the Tamil Nadu Handicapped Federation Trust in honour of Shanti Duraiswamy, Director, Sakthi Masala, who received the Central Government’s Sthree Shakthi Puraskar Award-2006 from the United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi.

Describing Mrs. Duraiswamy as a role model and inspiration for many to achieve success in their avocation, Ms. Kanimozhi praised her perseverance, grit and determination.

Ms. Kanimozhi said the need of the hour was empowerment of women and appealed to the businesses to provide job opportunities to people with disabilities.

She presented 10 personal computers, worth Rs.2.5 lakh, to G. Chidambaranathan, president, Tamil Nadu Handicapped Federation Trust. They would be used for spreading computer literacy among the physically challenged.

Actor Manorama, film producer A.V.M. Saravanan, police officer Thilagavathy and Managing Director of Cavinkare C.K. Ranganathan lauded Sakthi Masala Group for employing more than 200 physically challenged persons out of its total workforce of 500.

Mrs. Duraiswamy said the award was given on behalf of the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development for her “dedicated and selfless work in women’s empowerment in the face of extreme difficulties and challenges.”

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