Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 26
GOVERNOR Ashwani Kumar on Thursday underscored the need to ensure the most basic “rights to education and economic empowerment” for people with disabilities in the State.
Speaking at the “World Deaf Day’ celebration at Deaf Biblical Ministry, Dimapur on Thursday, the Governor said through the administration of education, people with disabilities must be allowed to avail “an assured vocation after school” that enables them to “earn their own living.”He said with the easy availability of modern science and technology these days, the capacity for the people with disabilities to learn and contribute must be allowed to enhance. Towards this end, Kumar announced that he would donate an amount of Rs 1 lakh to the Deaf Biblical Ministry to be used for buying cell phones for each of the students.
“I feel that the children, without hearing, can benefit from the use of SMS and get access to lots of information and knowledge through the use of internet,” the Governor said. The generous gesture from the Governor was prompted after the children had displayed some performances described him as “heart-touching.”
“As we sat there watching, my wife was shedding tears and I was also deeply moved,” he said, after the performance by the kids that included a skit, folk dance, recitation and group songs - all in animated gestures.
Kumar also stressed the need to come up with a “universal sign language” applicable to all humankind. “It is high time that we evolve a universal sign language that is applicable to the deaf as well as to those who can hear,” he said.
Kumar said everyone, as human beings, should be able communicate with their fellow beings, regardless of their ability or inability to hear. He also requested the TV channels and cinema makers to ensure that they use subtitles in each of their productions.
The Governor lauded the “selfless sacrifice” rendered by the founder of DBM, Reverend Yanger Walling and his family. “Today we are fortunate that we have people like the Reverend Yanger Walling and his wife in Nagaland,” he stated.
He further reminded that the ministry was in need of support not just from the government but from all the people.
Commissioner for Disabilities Dr Atha Vizol, in his brief address, said the message from the children with disabilities on Thursday was clear. “You are more blessed and much more sensitive than we are,” he stated.
Besides the display of talents on stage, the children with disabilities also exhibited their handicraft products after the formal programme.
