Source: The Sangai Express / Agency
Guwahati, February 11, 2010:
The 44th All India Blind Welfare Week, 2010 observance has begun from today at the Home of the Blind, Takyel here.
Speaking at the inaugural function of the observance, president of Students� Welfare Association for the Blind Dr W Nabachandra pointed out that the Government has announced 1 percent reservation of seats for the blinds in the State but there is no reservation for the blind when the order for job recruitment was issued.
It seems that the Government and its Minister remember the blind only when they give speech to the public since the promises made for the welfare of the blind have never been implemented, he lamented.
He further pointed out that while travelling in buses, the blind persons are not supposed to be charged fare.
But this is not so in Manipur.
On the contrary, the bus conductors misbehave with the blind passengers.
This may be due to lack of awareness, he observed, adding that bus fare should be made free for the blinds and other disabled persons like in Kolkata, Delhi and other States.
Chairperson of Manipur Women Development Corporation AK Mirabai, who was also present and spoke at the function, stated that blind persons cannot see what we can see but they can do many more things which a normal person cannot.
So we should encourage them and help in realising their dreams with support from the Government and other related agencies, she added.