FIRST NATIONAL
ABILYMPICS CONCLUDES WITH SPECTACULAR DISPLAY
REMOVE
THE WORD "DISABLED" FROM DICTIONARY – Dr. JOSHI
The first-ever National
Abilympics concluded here this evening with a spectacular display
of skills by persons of different disabilities. Nearly 700 disabled
participants of various age-groups including children showed that
they are in no way less equal to the abled-bodies, if one has
indomitable human spirit. The events covered skills in 43 different
vocational disciplines. This National event is a pre-cursor to
the 6th International Abilympics to be held in India
for the first time next year.
Addressing the
concluding function, the Minister for Human Resource Development
and Science & Technology, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, called
for the removal of the word "disabled" from the dictionary.
He said the society at large should also not look down upon handicapped
people, rather treat them as equal human beings. All concerned
must work concertedly to make the disabled, productive and useful
citizens of the society. The disabled must shed the complex and
stir the inherent spirit in them to face the challenges of life.
He expressed the confidence that the International Abilympics
being hosted by India in 2003 will prove to the disabled world
over that disability is no deterrent to individual’s progress.
The 3-day event
was inaugurated by the Prime Minister, last Wednesday.
