Special children shun inferiority complex and prove their abilities: ZP President

Mysuru:  Marking International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a function was organised by the District Administration, Zilla Panchayat (ZP), Department for Women and Child Development, Department for Empowerment of Senior Citizens and Physically Challenged and District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) at P. Kalinga Rao Gaana Mantapa at Dasara Exhibition Grounds here this morning.

About 1,500 specially-abled people including children from the district participated in the programme.

The programme was aptly inaugurated by a few physically challenged children by lighting the lamp with the dignitaries in the background.

Speaking as the Chief Guest, Zilla Panchayat President Parimala Shyam asked the specially-abled children to shun inferiority complex and prove their special abilities. She pointed out that the government has implemented many schemes for the benefit of physically challenged. She commended the NGOs in helping the specially-abled children through various projects.

Mayor Pushpalatha Jagannath released the Braille Calendar on the occasion.

A cultural programme was also held where parents with their physically challenged children in wheel chairs danced to popular film hits.

MLA L. Nagendra, Taluk Panchayat President Kalamma Kemparamaiah, DLSA Member-Secretary B.P. Devamane, Additional DC Poornima, Karnataka Exhibition Authority CEO Girish, Women and Child Development Department Deputy Director K. Padma and others were present.

Special D.Ed College

A Government D.Ed. College (adjacent to the District Disability Rehabilitation Centre) is functioning in Tilaknagar here since 2000 to train teachers to teach special children. Candidates who have passed 2nd PUC can get admission to the college (including physically challenged candidates).

Over the last 18 years, 889 candidates have come out of the college with D.Ed degree. They either get into Government Schools as special teachers or work for an NGO. The admission is normally restricted to only 25 candidates, according to the College Deputy Director Manjula Patil.