Imphal, October 01: Standing alone outside and looking through the window of the community hall of Tousang village where a free medical camp was in progress, nothing seemed to escape his alert and curious gaze.

On close observation, it was noticed that the boy who appeared to be around 18 years of age, could not speak and move around with ease needing some sort of support, yet he had a very sharp memory and could perform any task with such diligence that any able person would be put to shame.

Unfortunately, many physically challenged persons like him in the far-flung and remote areas of Manipur are remaining unsung and unrecognised by The Person With Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.So the question of enjoying the benefits of the scheme being taken up for the welfare of physically challenged persons is out of the picture.

Extremely adept in fixing electronic gadgets like radio, TV and music player among others, Gongdaimei was born to the family of Lumgunglang and Taoshabitei of Tousang village, located after traversing on foot for over 12 km along the mule-track like road from Thangal village, 80 kms from Imphal on Old-Cachar Road.

Gongdaimei is two of the surviving siblings of six born to the family.

His younger sister is also physically deformed with one of her limbs shorter than the other since birth.

On how his son became a physically challenged person, Lumgunglang recounted that after about one month of his birth, Gongdaimei suffered from a serious illness that ultimately led to deformation of his hands and legs.

He also permanently lost his voice after that.

The village Maibas on whom most of the villagers depend for treatment in the absence of any modern medical facilities could not diagnose the nature of the illness.

But the doctors who had examined Gongdaimei then told the worried parents that their son was suffering from polio.

When asked whether he would like to go to school, Gongdaimei lightened up with a smile and communicated with sign language indicating that he would like to go to school and wear nice uniform.

When inquired whether Gongdaimei possesses disability certificate, his parents informed that a person of their own community living at Imphal had come to register his name some 3/4 years back.

As instructed, the X-ray report of the test conducted on Gongdaimei after going to Imphal with great difficulty too had been submitted subsequently, but so far nothing has come out of it.

In accordance to the Census Report, 2001, there are in all 28,376 physically or mentally challenged persons in Manipur and numerous District Disabilities Rehabilitation Centres have been set up to provide education, suitable jobs, aid and appliances to them under The Persons With Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.Moreover, in accordance to chapter 13 of the Act which is related to rehabilitation of the persons with disabilities who are in the age group of 18 to 65 by providing suitable jobs to ensure economic security, in all 1000 persons have been extended the facilities during 2006-07.To enjoy the benefits of the welfare schemes for persons with disabilities being implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the first and the most important requirement is the possession of the disability certificate, the pass-book and the identity card.

All these can be obtained from the State Medical Board.

Anganwadi workers spread across the State have also a major role to play in identification of persons with disabilities in their respective jurisdiction.

At the directive of the World Health Organisation, immunisation programme for children against TB, Poliomyelitis, etc was launched world-wide since 1978.Subsequently, the Universal Immunisation programme is also being launched in Manipur since 1985.Inspite of all these measures, it is conveyed that the immunisation programme has not yet covered many remote areas of the State including Tousang village .

If Gongdaimei had been administered Polio vaccine in time, it is very likely that he would not be leading the life of a deformed person today.

When contacted, Welfare and Disabilities Officer of Social Welfare Dept L Ibomcha informed as part of the disability assessment camps being organised at every districts, the State Medical Board would facilitate a similar camp at Tamenglong Dist headquarters in first week of Nov and appealed to the parents/ guardians to bring their disabled children for medical check up.

On parting note, parents of Gongdaimei said, 'Even if we advise him not to go out from house as other people might tease him, he does not listen.

Whenever there is some gathering in the village, he would be the first go there and observe everything standing aloft from others.

But we have notice that he is far more intelligent and can performed many task s which his peers might not very easily.

For this, we are really proud of him'.

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