Date:17/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/17/stories/2008121753640200.htm

Tamil Nadu

Timely intervention keeps them going

Staff Reporter

Physically challenged persons go down memory lane

GREAT MOMENT: Visually-challenged persons getting assistance in Pudukottai.

PUDUKOTTAI: Given a bit of assistance, physically-challenged persons will prove their capability to stand up on their own legs.

This was evident at the celebrations of the “International Day of Persons with Disabilities” organised under the auspices of the Pudukottai Multipurpose Social Service Society (MPSSS) here recently.

A number of disabled persons, who gained the socio-economic uplift through some assistance or training, went down memory lane in tracing the benefit they could derive, thanks to timely intervention by the service organisations.

The members of the self-help groups, who had registered a maximum savings for their internal lending, were the cynosure of all eyes. Fifteen differently abled students got scholarship to the tune of Rs.23,000.

Giving away the special incentives to these SHGs, the president of the PMSSS, Rev. M. Devadas, said that the disabled persons, blessed with a sense of self-confidence, had excelled in various fields.

He said that the TMSSS had sanctioned loans, revolving fund and other assistance totalling Rs.15.5 lakh to 27 SHGs of physically disabled persons.

The District Disabled Rehabilitation Officer, George Doss, also chipped in with assistances. Tricycles, hearing aid and black glasses were given to about 20 persons. Pointing out that Aranthangi and surrounding areas accounted for a large number of mentally-ill persons, he suggested that immediate steps be taken in their cause.

The secretary of PMSSS, Rev. U. Savarimuthu, presented a report on its commitment in the cause of the differently abled persons.