Date:23/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/23/stories/2008112358940400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Persons with disabilities urged to form SHGs

Special Correspondent

This will help them get more loans, says Minister

— PHOTO: R.RAGU

FOR THEIR RIGHTS: A rally organised by Mukti Artificial Limb Centre in Chennai on Saturday.

CHENNAI: Persons with disabilities should make a better use of the opportunity to form self-help groups, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Subbalakshmi Jagadeesan said on Saturday.

Inaugurating a job fair organised by the Mukti Artificial Limb Centre, she said more persons with disabilities sought individual loans. SHGs formed by five members each would help them get more loans and develop a business of their own, she said.

Several speakers felt that for the persons with disabilities to become part of the mainstream, it was important to involve society in the process of change.

Karthi Chidambaram, director of Chess Management Services, called on companies to ensure that persons with disabilities were employed in every company. He urged companies to provide details of such persons employed in their establishments. Social pressure, such as rejecting business dealings with companies that did not employ persons with disabilities, could be used, he said.

Senior advocate R. Gandhi wanted more educational institutions, colleges and training schools that would address the specific qualifications of persons with disabilities. Ten companies took part in the fair, which was attended by scores of persons with disabilities, who braved the rain and the slushy roads.

Meena Dadha, managing director of M.S. Dadha Foundation, of which Mukti is a unit, said a database of persons with disabilities had been created to help organisations to provide them with jobs. Ms. Jagadeesan released the CD.

Senior officials of the State Commission for Disabled participated.