EVENTS LIKE THE INTERNATIONAL ABILYMPICS
PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO THE DISABLED PERSONS TO SHOW THEIR SPECIAL
ABILITIES, AS TO HOW THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF
SOCIETY - Dr. JATIYA
Dr. Satyanarayan
Jatiya, the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment has said
that events like the international abilympics provide an opportunity
to the disabled persons to show their special abilities, as to
how they can contribute to the development of society. He was
speaking at the inaugural function of 6th International
Abilympics (Olympic Competition in Vocational Skills of persons
with disability) being held at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New
Delhi. Following is the full text of the speech:-
"I heartily welcome
the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji at the
inauguration of the 6th International Abilympics, Respected
Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi Ji, Union Minister of Human Resource Development,
Respected Smt. Shiela Dixit Ji, Chief Minister of NCT of Delhi,
Chairman of International Abilympics Federation, Chairperson &
Office Bearers of National Abilympics Association of India, Participants
from across the world, Honoured Guests and Dignitaries, Ladies
and Gentlemen, I extend a very warm welcome to you all.
The First International
Abilympics was organised in 1981 in Japan and the 5th
International Abilympics was held at Prague (Czechoslovakia) in
2002. The 6th International Abilympics is being inaugurated
by our respected Prime Minister today. This is the first time
India has been given the privilege of organizing such an event.
The august presence of Hon’ble Prime Minister and other important
dignitaries in the inaugural ceremony have enthused both the participants
and the organizers.
Participants from
32 countries are present here to showcase their special skills
in India. I am privileged to welcome all the foreign guests and
participants. By exhibiting their special skills, the participants
would set an example before the world that all the hurdles in
leading a successful life can be overcome by sheer grit and determination.
In fact, this competition
is focused on the abilities of human beings, rather than their
disabilities. It encourages and instills confidence in the physically
and mentally challenged persons and enables them to realize their
hidden talents and potential, making them contribute to the development
of society and the nation.
The Government of
India is fully committed to the empowerment of the disabled people.
The very fact that the Hon’ble Prime Minister is with us here
today to inaugurate the International Abilympics underlines his
sensitivity towards the needs of the disabled persons, and the
commitment of the Government. We have enacted comprehensive legislation
for the empowerment of the disabled persons, and the provisions
are being enforced effectively, in the best possible manner. The
Government of India has also recently decided to constitute a
National Commission for Disabled Persons. We are confident that
the Commission would prove to be a milestone in our quest for
the upliftment and empowerment of the disabled persons.
I would like to take
this opportunity to mention, in brief, the efforts of the Government
of India towards the empowerment of the disabled persons. India
is a vast country and the National Institutes offering specialized
services have been set up at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad,
Cuttack and Dehradun. We have also established about one hundred
District Disability Rehabilitation Centres throughout the country
to provide rehabilitation services to the doorsteps of the needy
upto the grass-roots level. Besides, Composite Rehabilitation
Centres, Regional Rehabilitation Centres and other specialized
Centre are also functioning to provide rehabilitation services
to the disabled. The Rehabilitation Council of India has designed
several courses to train manpower to provide dedicated services,
which are required in this sector.
The preparation of
organizing this International event has been going on for the
last three years. In the year 2001 and 2002, competitions were
organised at regional and National level, respectively. More than
3000 disabled persons participated in these competitions. Now
the culmination of these efforts is in the organization of the
International Abilympics. All this has provided a platform to
the disabled persons for exhibiting their special skills especially
the employers who can provide them meaningful employments and
make them self-reliant.
India has achieved
a unique position in the field of science and technology, especially
in computer software and pharma sector. I take this opportunity
to request the scientist community to focus their research in
the area of early detection of disability and its cure at earlier
stages. The Government is implementing nation-wide programme to
eradicate Polio and the efforts are bearing fruit. The number
of polio-related disability cases have reduced dramatically. I
firmly believe that science and technology will provide us with
knowledge, so that we will be able to contain the negative effects
of various types of disabilities.
The Government of
India, the State Governments, various National and International
Organisations, and the Non-Governmental Organisations, including
dedicated persons are sensitized to the issue of disability. All
these people and bodies are working tirelessly to empower them
and bring them into the mainstream of the society. Events like
the International Abilympics provide an opportunity to the disabled
persons to show their special abilities, as to how they can contribute
to the development of society."
