7th Bajaj Discover presents Dr Batra’s Positive Health Awards held at Kamani Auditorium, Delhi

Contact Information

Ann De Souza Dr Batra's Dadar West Mumbai Maharashtra, 400001 9819099110

http://www.drbatras.com/en/

Saluting the Heroes of 2012, Yana Gupta felicitate the Awardees

Online PR News – 25-October-2012 –Bajaj Discover presents Dr Batra’s Positive Health Awards 2012, an initiative to recognise and award the heroism of those who have displayed outstanding courage in the fight against disease and disability, were held at Kamani Auditorium, Delhi today. Yana Gupta presented the awards to the winners at a glittering ceremony that had over 600 people in attendance. It marked the 7th year of this initiative. Rajiv Bajaj and Maneka Gandhi were the other dignitaries present at the event.

The winners of this year’s edition of the awards were selected by an eminent panel of jurists, comprising Members of Parliament Maneka Gandhi and Anu Aga; Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi; Filmmaker R. Balki; Bajaj Auto Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj; and Dr Mukesh Batra, Padma Shri Recipient, Founder & Chairman, Dr Batra’s Positive Health Clinic. The awardees were Ms Deepa Malik, Mr. Javed Ahmad, Mr. Ajit Kumar Yadav, Ms Benzy Kumar and Master Manav Shukla who exemplified what it takes to transform humans into heroes.

In addition to a short biographic film on each awardee, attendees at the award function were treated to scintillating performances by dance guru Shiamak Davar’s ‘Victory Arts Foundation’ troupe of specially-abled children.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mukesh Batra, Padma Shri recipient said: “The Dr Batra’s Positive Health Awards salutes people with unyielding grit and unflinching determination, who have beaten the odds to overcome seemingly irrecoverable conditions and give back something commendable to society in their own way. The heroes selected this year have demonstrated that very strength of the human spirit. The Positive Health Awards honor this spirit and re-affirm Dr Batra’s commitment to health and positivity.”

Reiterating his support to the cause, Mr Rajiv Bajaj said: “The stories of these awardees will undoubtedly inspire and spread hope to others in the country. Having been associated with this initiative and witnessing the remarkable stories of strength and recovery of the awardees, I am honoured to be a part of this year’s ceremony.

About the Awardees 2012

Deepa Malik - Life took a twist for Deepa Malik when a spinal tumor made walking impossible, 12 years ago. Deepa is a wife of a retired Cavalier Col, mother of two adult daughters, an international sports person and first sportswoman to represent the country at international level in her category of disability. She is the first Indian in the category to receive the Arjuna Award by the President of India in April 2012. She has won 39 Gold, 4 Silver, 2 Bronze medals in various games such as Javelin, Discuss, Shot-put and Swimming.

Javed Ahmad Tak - Javed Ahmad Tak was a victim of the armed conflict in Kashmir in March 1996. He was hit by a bullet fired from a one meter range injuring his spinal cord, liver, kidney, pancreas, spleen and intestine. Since then, as a paraplegic, he has been bound to a wheelchair. He is a social activist and the Founder and Chairman of Humanity Welfare Organisation Helpline – an NGO in Jammu & Kashmir. His NGO provides free computer education to poor orphans, physically challenged, and other students belonging to under privileged class. His struggle has changed the lives of the disabled community in Jammu and Kashmir.

Ajit Kumar Yadav –At the age of 5, Ajit Kumar lost vision in both his eyes due to acute diarrhoea. But that did not stop him from living his dream of becoming an IAS officer, the second in the country with total loss of vision to get into IAS. He was the only blind student in his school and he topped in Class IX and X examinations. Ajit graduated in BA Political Science (Hons) with flying colours. He also cleared BEd and took up a teaching job in a Delhi college. Even after securing a rank of 208 among 791 successful candidates in the Civil Services examination in 2009, Ajit was denied an IAS appointment due to his blindness and awarded IRPS, a service way below his rankings. He fought a three-year legal struggle to get his rightful place.

Benzy Kumar – When Benzy was 9 years old she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Her parents took her to Spastics Society of Mumbai for stimulation therapy, which consists of exercises and muscle toning. It helped make her body less stiff. She responded only to musical toys and remembered the sequence of songs on the Channel V countdown. So they decided to try music therapy. Being able to communicate through music made a big difference to Benzy. At the age of seven she gave her first public recital. As she turned 10, Benzy enchanted melody queens like Lata Mangeshkar, Anuradha Paudwal and several others by her superb singing. Benzy was awarded the National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement, by President APJ Abdul Kalam in 2004, at Vigyan Bhawan, Delhi.

Manav Shukla - Manav is non-verbal and autistic child. He needs assistance to maintain self care and to perform daily activities. He was not accepted in normal mainstream education due to his PDD and autistic features. Through various medical interventions and intensive therapies for 11 years Manav could get admission in Kothari International School, Noida in Jan 2012. This is one of his great achievements in his academics. Manav is smart and good looking. He has faced camera from his childhood. He has done Photo shoot for Sahara Magazine, Noida in September 2011. He shot his first documentary film “Yeh Hausla” which was directed by Ms. Deepa Mehta. This documentary was aired on Zee T.V. in May 2012

Bajaj Discover presents Dr Batra’s Positive Health Awards

Life in wheel chair couldn’t deter Javed from studying

Tuesday, 02 Oct 2012 at 09:20

Tawseef Ahmad

Srinagar, Oct 02: Javed Ahmad Tak, 38, has spent 18 years of his life in a wheel chair.
Tak, who hails from South Kashmir’s Islamabad district, was hit by a bullet when he was 20.
Though the initial days of his disability at times forced him to live a bed-ridden life, he tided over.
He completed a course in human rights from Indira Gandhi National Open University and Master’s in Social Work.

Moved by the plight of disabled people, he started a school for disabled persons.
He said since 2001 there had been no census for the number of disabled people.

According to the 2001 census, the number of disabled persons had been put at 3.03 lakh but some independent researchs have put the figure much higher.

“The tragedy is not only about the total number of disabled persons or the trauma that we have been facing. The bigger tragedy is the sheer apathy of the government toward people who have been suffering since years on account of the disability that jolted their lives forever,” he said.

“We want implementation of Persons with Disability Act 1998 in letter and spirit. We are being provided monthly package of Rs 400 which is a joke with us as the prices have sky rocketed,” Tak said.
The problems that they have to encounter in their daily life include the inaccessibility to public places and non-inclusion in the decision-making process.

The differently-able persons from Kashmir are aghast over the indifferent attitude of the government toward addressing their problems.

They have been on a hunger strike for the past two days at Press Colony here demanding better living conditions.
“There is a need for the conduct of door-to-door census in order to know the accurate figures of persons with disabilities in the State as there has been increase in disability due to turmoil in the Valley, ” said another differently-able person Mushtaq Ahmad.

He said they are facing lots of problems and struggling for their survival.

“We are not able to do work and are dependent on our family members. We are not able to send our children to school. Executing the idea did not take much efforts, but it takes money which we people do not have much of,” Ahmad said.

District Social Welfare Officer, Bashir Ahmad Bhat said they would look into the matter but did not provide any time frame for meeting the demands of the differently-able persons.

“If the government will increase their monthly package then only we can do anything,” he said.

DIFFERENTLY ABLED CHILDREN VISIT RAJ BHAVAN

Vohra for effective empowerment of physically challenged persons

GK NEWS NETWORK

Srinagar, Oct 11: On the invitation of N N Vohra, Governor, and Usha Vohra, First Lady, physically challenged children of the Special Help Line School, functioning under the aegis of the Humanity Welfare Organisation HelpLine, Bijbehara, , visited Raj Bhavan, here on Thursday, an official spokesman said.

The Governor, according to the spokesman, discussed with Javed Ahmad Tak, Chairman, Humanity Welfare Organization Helpline, Bijbehara, about the adequacy of infrastructure so far created for the training and education of these differently abled children at the Special Helpline School. Governor assured Tak that further help would be provided to make the facilities better.
Earlier, the children were introduced to the Governor and the Lady Governor who interacted with the children, hosted them lunch and wished them a bright future ahead.

The specially abled children presented a captivating cultural programme. They also demonstrated their laudable skills in various sports activities, including tug of war, musical chairs and communicating through sign language. They also presented a welcome song at the commencement of the programme.

Chairman, Humanity Welfare Organisation Helpline, Javed Ahmed Tak thanked the Governor for taking keen interest in the welfare and empowerment of the differently abled persons in the State, adding that it was because of his keen interest that persons with various disabilities have been provided employment in different departments.

He also expressed his gratitude to the Governor for making the Raj Bhavan disabled-friendly with the provision of ramps and a special toilet for the physically challenged. He hoped that this would serve as a model for others to emulate to facilitate the access of physically challenged.
Navin K. Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor, was also present on the occasion. Chib meets Governor.

 

Differently abled children visit Raj Bhavan

Governor for effective empowerment of physically challenged persons

Srinagar, October 11(Scoop News) - On the invitation of N. N. Vohra, Governor, and Mrs. Usha Vohra, First Lady, physically challenged children of the Special Help Line School, functioning under the aegis of the Humanity Welfare Organisation HelpLine, Bijbehara, Anantnag, visited the Raj Bhavan, here today. The Governor, speaking on the occasion, discussed with Javed Ahmad Tak, Hony Chairman, Humanity Welfare Organisation Helpline, Bijbehara, Anantnag, about the adequacy of infrastructure so far created for the training and education of these differently abled children at the Special Helpline School. As in the past two years, the Governor assured that further help would be provided for better facilities being made available to the differently abled children. Earlier, the children were introduced to the Governor and the Lady Governor who interacted with the children, hosted them Lunch and wished them a bright future ahead. The specially abled children presented a captivating cultural programme. They also demonstrated their laudable skills in various sports activities, including tug of war, musical chairs and communicating through sign language. They also presented a welcome song at the commencement of the programme. Javed Ahmad Tak, Hony Chairman, Humanity Welfare Organisation Helpline, Bijbehara, Anantnag, said that it was consecutively for the past three years that differently abled children have been visiting the Raj Bhavan. He thanked the Governor for taking keen interest in the welfare and empowerment of the differently abled persons in the State, adding that it was because of his keen interest that persons with various disabilities have been provided employment in different departments. He also expressed his gratitude to the Governor for making the Raj Bhavan disabled-friendly with the provision of ramps and a special toilet for the physically challenged. He hoped that this would serve as a model for others to emulate to facilitate the access of physically challenged. Navin K. Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor, was present on the occasion. Special educators of differently abled children and functionaries of the Humanity Welfare Organisation Helpline accompanied the children on their visit to Raj Bhavan.

 

 

Differently-abled children visit Raj Bhavan

Friday, 12 10 2012 09:44

·         Governor for effective empowerment of physically challenged persons

SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 11 – On the invitation of N. N. Vohra, Governor, and Usha Vohra, physically-challenged children of the Special Help Line School, functioning under the aegis of the Humanity Welfare Organisation HelpLine, Bijbehara, Anantnag, visited the Raj Bhavan, here today.

The Governor, speaking on the occasion, discussed with Javed Ahmad Tak, Hony Chairman, Humanity Welfare Organisation Helpline, Bijbehara, Anantnag, about the adequacy of infrastructure so far created for the training and education of these differently abled children at the Special Helpline School. As in the past two years, the Governor assured that further help would be provided for better facilities being made available to the differently abled children.

Earlier, the children were introduced to the Governor and the Lady Governor who interacted with the children, hosted them Lunch and wished them a bright future ahead.

The specially-abled children presented a captivating cultural programme. They also demonstrated their laudable skills in various sports activities, including tug of war, musical chairs and communicating through sign language. They also presented a welcome song at the commencement of the programme.

Javed Ahmad Tak, Hony Chairman, Humanity Welfare Organisation Helpline, Bijbehara, Anantnag, said that it was consecutively for the past three years that differently abled children have been visiting the Raj Bhavan. He thanked the Governor for taking keen interest in the welfare and empowerment of the differently abled persons in the State, adding that it was because of his keen interest that persons with various disabilities have been provided employment in different departments. He also expressed his gratitude to the Governor for making the Raj Bhavan disabled-friendly with the provision of ramps and a special toilet for the physically challenged. He hoped that this would serve as a model for others to emulate to facilitate the access of physically challenged.

Navin K. Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor, was present on the occasion.

Special educators of differently abled children and functionaries of the Humanity Welfare Organisation Helpline accompanied the children on their visit to Raj Bhavan.

 

Disability certificates sell for Rs 10-25k a piece!

Thursday, 30 08 2012 10:14

Srinagar: There is no dearth of the corrupt people working within the system who make it happen. Touts in the government hospitals can get an otherwise physically normal person an official certificate confirming his or her disability.

These certificates practically change the destinies of people - as disabled people are extended a string of benefits by the government in the form of reservation in admissions for professional courses and recruitment in government services.

“A number of normal people have managed these certificates with the help of dishonest public servants and thus snatched the rights of the deserving,” confirmed a senior government official.

Getting a disability certificate has become virtually a child's play, irrespective of the area one stays in. Amounts varying between Rs10,000 and Rs 25,000 are charged for issuing such a certificate in a week’s time, the official added.

“The quota meant for us benefits others,” rued Javaid Ahmad Tak, chairman Humanity Welfare Organization, Helpline NGO.

“Fake disability certificate is a racket run by certain medical boards and doctors. The most common disability shown in these fake documents is that of hearing and speech,” Tak added.

The ‘disability certificate’ is issued by a medical authority notified by the state government. Each such medical authority is constituted at the district level.

These medical authorities receive applications from the disabled people, and subsequently assess their disabilities and then issue the certificate within a week from the receipt of application.

Rules state that a person with 40 percent impairment is entitled for a disability certificate.

Only a government doctor is authorized to issue the certificate.

An applicant is required to present his or her case before the medical authority constituted for the purpose.

Able one

Defeating the cripple

While seeking permission from his parents for spending a night at his uncle’s house, Javed had little idea what destiny had in store. That night, he was crippled for life. Bullets, however, could not cripple his determination and Javed now fights for the rights of physically challenged. Hamidullah Dar narrates his story. Asleep one night at his uncle’s home, Javed Ahmad Tak woke up at the midnight hour overhearing some men in the corridor. It was not a usual conversation. And he decided to see for himself, little knowing that the few hurried paces he walks to the corridor would be his last. Tak narrates those fateful moments. “Around midnight, I overheard some unusual conservation in the corridor. As I opened the door, I was struck to see a group of men, wearing masks and carrying pistols, arguing with my cousin,” he says. “They were trying to drag my cousin outside the house. In the meantime one of them asked for ransom. As soon as I tried to approach them, they fired at me from close range.” Javed was hit several times in his abdomen. He was rushed to hospital where he spent the next month, recovering. “My life was saved, but soon it dawned upon me that bullets fired by the assailants had damaged my spleen, intestine, part of liver, kidney, and vertebral column thus injuries to spinal chord. I couldn’t believe that I was crippled. My freedom was curtailed and I was confined to bed,” says Tak. Tak had just finished his B Sc final year examination before the incident on March 21, 1997. As time passed, Javed realized that his world had shrunk to four walls of a small room in his house. His sphere of influence had been reduced to the reach of his arm. Javed took it as a challenge and made his mind to shed inhabitations of disability. Then one Sunday morning he heard the chatter of small children from a nearby street. “They were playing probably. I asked my mother to invite all of them as I wanted to see them and feel their joy. Mummy brought them inside the room and I talked to them at length. In between, I told them to come for free tuitions after school. My proposal worked and suddenly I witnessed a rush of children from the entire locality,” he recalls. “Earlier, I was all alone. Now, till late, I would not get time to relieve.” While children learnt, Javed began to regain his confidence. “Their presence around me helped me to come out of bed and use the wheel chair. After three years, they took me out of the confines of house,” he says. Soon he founded a group Humanity Welfare Helpline meeting the needs of poor children. The people associated with this group used to go for a door to door book collection and then distribute the same among poor children. The group also works to help fight polio. “I know what it means to be disabled. So along with my young friends, I made it a point to ensure a polio free society,” says Javed. “We go door to door to administer polio vaccine to small children, we organise roadside camps on highways and administer vaccines to travelling children.” Once able to move out of his house, Javed thought of higher studies and secured admission at University of Kashmir for Masters in Social Work. The degree and the exposure blended with his personal experiences strengthened his resolve to fight for the rights of disabled. “We need rights not sympathetic words. But the unfortunate thing is that people remember disabled persons on festivals only when they give money to charities. Once in offices, they deny disability rights to physically challenged persons that demoralises them,” Javed complains. He adds that J&K disability rights act 1998 provides for equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation of disabled persons in every field, which has not been enforced in the state so far. Continuing with his fight for disabled, Javed has succeeded in persuading authorities to incorporate ramps in many buildings at Kashmir University for facilitating wheel chairs. He arranges teachers’ workshops in B Ed colleges where the future teachers are taught how to tackle a physically challenged student. Javed says that there are more than six percent people afflicted with disabilities in the state but government has kept a quota of three percent in employment for them. “However that too is not granted,” he says. “With our efforts, SSRB is now selecting physically challenged persons, but just two percent, which we hope will get better in future,” opines Javed. Striving for better future for physically challenged, Tak says for him ultimate success means “when we are treated at par with normal people and society accords us equal respect, there lies my ultimate joy.”

Defeating the cripple

While seeking permission from his parents for spending a night at his uncle’s house, Javed had little idea what destiny had in store. That night, he was crippled for life. Bullets, however, could not cripple his determination and Javed now fights for the rights of physically challenged. Hamidullah Dar narrates his story. Asleep one night at his uncle’s home, Javed Ahmad Tak woke up at the midnight hour overhearing some men in the corridor. It was not a usual conversation. And he decided to see for himself, little knowing that the few hurried paces he walks to the corridor would be his last. Tak narrates those fateful moments. “Around midnight, I overheard some unusual conservation in the corridor. As I opened the door, I was struck to see a group of men, wearing masks and carrying pistols, arguing with my cousin,” he says. “They were trying to drag my cousin outside the house. In the meantime one of them asked for ransom. As soon as I tried to approach them, they fired at me from close range.” Javed was hit several times in his abdomen. He was rushed to hospital where he spent the next month, recovering. “My life was saved, but soon it dawned upon me that bullets fired by the assailants had damaged my spleen, intestine, part of liver, kidney, and vertebral column thus injuries to spinal chord. I couldn’t believe that I was crippled. My freedom was curtailed and I was confined to bed,” says Tak. Tak had just finished his B Sc final year examination before the incident on March 21, 1997. As time passed, Javed realized that his world had shrunk to four walls of a small room in his house. His sphere of influence had been reduced to the reach of his arm. Javed took it as a challenge and made his mind to shed inhabitations of disability. Then one Sunday morning he heard the chatter of small children from a nearby street. “They were playing probably. I asked my mother to invite all of them as I wanted to see them and feel their joy. Mummy brought them inside the room and I talked to them at length. In between, I told them to come for free tuitions after school. My proposal worked and suddenly I witnessed a rush of children from the entire locality,” he recalls. “Earlier, I was all alone. Now, till late, I would not get time to relieve.” While children learnt, Javed began to regain his confidence. “Their presence around me helped me to come out of bed and use the wheel chair. After three years, they took me out of the confines of house,” he says. Soon he founded a group Humanity Welfare Helpline meeting the needs of poor children. The people associated with this group used to go for a door to door book collection and then distribute the same among poor children. The group also works to help fight polio. “I know what it means to be disabled. So along with my young friends, I made it a point to ensure a polio free society,” says Javed. “We go door to door to administer polio vaccine to small children, we organise roadside camps on highways and administer vaccines to travelling children.” Once able to move out of his house, Javed thought of higher studies and secured admission at University of Kashmir for Masters in Social Work. The degree and the exposure blended with his personal experiences strengthened his resolve to fight for the rights of disabled. “We need rights not sympathetic words. But the unfortunate thing is that people remember disabled persons on festivals only when they give money to charities. Once in offices, they deny disability rights to physically challenged persons that demoralises them,” Javed complains. He adds that J&K disability rights act 1998 provides for equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation of disabled persons in every field, which has not been enforced in the state so far. Continuing with his fight for disabled, Javed has succeeded in persuading authorities to incorporate ramps in many buildings at Kashmir University for facilitating wheel chairs. He arranges teachers’ workshops in B Ed colleges where the future teachers are taught how to tackle a physically challenged student. Javed says that there are more than six percent people afflicted with disabilities in the state but government has kept a quota of three percent in employment for them. “However that too is not granted,” he says. “With our efforts, SSRB is now selecting physically challenged persons, but just two percent, which we hope will get better in future,” opines Javed. Striving for better future for physically challenged, Tak says for him ultimate success means “when we are treated at par with normal people and society accords us equal respect, there lies my ultimate joy.”

Defeating the cripple

While seeking permission from his parents for spending a night at his uncle’s house, Javed had little idea what destiny had in store. That night, he was crippled for life. Bullets, however, could not cripple his determination and Javed now fights for the rights of physically challenged. Hamidullah Dar narrates his story. Asleep one night at his uncle’s home, Javed Ahmad Tak woke up at the midnight hour overhearing some men in the corridor. It was not a usual conversation. And he decided to see for himself, little knowing that the few hurried paces he walks to the corridor would be his last. Tak narrates those fateful moments. “Around midnight, I overheard some unusual conservation in the corridor. As I opened the door, I was struck to see a group of men, wearing masks and carrying pistols, arguing with my cousin,” he says. “They were trying to drag my cousin outside the house. In the meantime one of them asked for ransom. As soon as I tried to approach them, they fired at me from close range.” Javed was hit several times in his abdomen. He was rushed to hospital where he spent the next month, recovering. “My life was saved, but soon it dawned upon me that bullets fired by the assailants had damaged my spleen, intestine, part of liver, kidney, and vertebral column thus injuries to spinal chord. I couldn’t believe that I was crippled. My freedom was curtailed and I was confined to bed,” says Tak. Tak had just finished his B Sc final year examination before the incident on March 21, 1997. As time passed, Javed realized that his world had shrunk to four walls of a small room in his house. His sphere of influence had been reduced to the reach of his arm. Javed took it as a challenge and made his mind to shed inhabitations of disability. Then one Sunday morning he heard the chatter of small children from a nearby street. “They were playing probably. I asked my mother to invite all of them as I wanted to see them and feel their joy. Mummy brought them inside the room and I talked to them at length. In between, I told them to come for free tuitions after school. My proposal worked and suddenly I witnessed a rush of children from the entire locality,” he recalls. “Earlier, I was all alone. Now, till late, I would not get time to relieve.” While children learnt, Javed began to regain his confidence. “Their presence around me helped me to come out of bed and use the wheel chair. After three years, they took me out of the confines of house,” he says. Soon he founded a group Humanity Welfare Helpline meeting the needs of poor children. The people associated with this group used to go for a door to door book collection and then distribute the same among poor children. The group also works to help fight polio. “I know what it means to be disabled. So along with my young friends, I made it a point to ensure a polio free society,” says Javed. “We go door to door to administer polio vaccine to small children, we organise roadside camps on highways and administer vaccines to travelling children.” Once able to move out of his house, Javed thought of higher studies and secured admission at University of Kashmir for Masters in Social Work. The degree and the exposure blended with his personal experiences strengthened his resolve to fight for the rights of disabled. “We need rights not sympathetic words. But the unfortunate thing is that people remember disabled persons on festivals only when they give money to charities. Once in offices, they deny disability rights to physically challenged persons that demoralises them,” Javed complains. He adds that J&K disability rights act 1998 provides for equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation of disabled persons in every field, which has not been enforced in the state so far. Continuing with his fight for disabled, Javed has succeeded in persuading authorities to incorporate ramps in many buildings at Kashmir University for facilitating wheel chairs. He arranges teachers’ workshops in B Ed colleges where the future teachers are taught how to tackle a physically challenged student. Javed says that there are more than six percent people afflicted with disabilities in the state but government has kept a quota of three percent in employment for them. “However that too is not granted,” he says. “With our efforts, SSRB is now selecting physically challenged persons, but just two percent, which we hope will get better in future,” opines Javed. Striving for better future for physically challenged, Tak says for him ultimate success means “when we are treated at par with normal people and society accords us equal respect, there lies my ultimate joy.”

Defeating the cripple

While seeking permission from his parents for spending a night at his uncle’s house, Javed had little idea what destiny had in store. That night, he was crippled for life. Bullets, however, could not cripple his determination and Javed now fights for the rights of physically challenged. Hamidullah Dar narrates his story. Asleep one night at his uncle’s home, Javed Ahmad Tak woke up at the midnight hour overhearing some men in the corridor. It was not a usual conversation. And he decided to see for himself, little knowing that the few hurried paces he walks to the corridor would be his last. Tak narrates those fateful moments. “Around midnight, I overheard some unusual conservation in the corridor. As I opened the door, I was struck to see a group of men, wearing masks and carrying pistols, arguing with my cousin,” he says. “They were trying to drag my cousin outside the house. In the meantime one of them asked for ransom. As soon as I tried to approach them, they fired at me from close range.” Javed was hit several times in his abdomen. He was rushed to hospital where he spent the next month, recovering. “My life was saved, but soon it dawned upon me that bullets fired by the assailants had damaged my spleen, intestine, part of liver, kidney, and vertebral column thus injuries to spinal chord. I couldn’t believe that I was crippled. My freedom was curtailed and I was confined to bed,” says Tak. Tak had just finished his B Sc final year examination before the incident on March 21, 1997. As time passed, Javed realized that his world had shrunk to four walls of a small room in his house. His sphere of influence had been reduced to the reach of his arm. Javed took it as a challenge and made his mind to shed inhabitations of disability. Then one Sunday morning he heard the chatter of small children from a nearby street. “They were playing probably. I asked my mother to invite all of them as I wanted to see them and feel their joy. Mummy brought them inside the room and I talked to them at length. In between, I told them to come for free tuitions after school. My proposal worked and suddenly I witnessed a rush of children from the entire locality,” he recalls. “Earlier, I was all alone. Now, till late, I would not get time to relieve.” While children learnt, Javed began to regain his confidence. “Their presence around me helped me to come out of bed and use the wheel chair. After three years, they took me out of the confines of house,” he says. Soon he founded a group Humanity Welfare Helpline meeting the needs of poor children. The people associated with this group used to go for a door to door book collection and then distribute the same among poor children. The group also works to help fight polio. “I know what it means to be disabled. So along with my young friends, I made it a point to ensure a polio free society,” says Javed. “We go door to door to administer polio vaccine to small children, we organise roadside camps on highways and administer vaccines to travelling children.” Once able to move out of his house, Javed thought of higher studies and secured admission at University of Kashmir for Masters in Social Work. The degree and the exposure blended with his personal experiences strengthened his resolve to fight for the rights of disabled. “We need rights not sympathetic words. But the unfortunate thing is that people remember disabled persons on festivals only when they give money to charities. Once in offices, they deny disability rights to physically challenged persons that demoralises them,” Javed complains. He adds that J&K disability rights act 1998 provides for equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation of disabled persons in every field, which has not been enforced in the state so far. Continuing with his fight for disabled, Javed has succeeded in persuading authorities to incorporate ramps in many buildings at Kashmir University for facilitating wheel chairs. He arranges teachers’ workshops in B Ed colleges where the future teachers are taught how to tackle a physically challenged student. Javed says that there are more than six percent people afflicted with disabilities in the state but government has kept a quota of three percent in employment for them. “However that too is not granted,” he says. “With our efforts, SSRB is now selecting physically challenged persons, but just two percent, which we hope will get better in future,” opines Javed. Striving for better future for physically challenged, Tak says for him ultimate success means “when we are treated at par with normal people and society accords us equal respect, there lies my ultimate joy.”

Disabled banished behind barriers

Disabled banished behind barriers

By AASIF SULTAN

Published: Thu, 06 September 2012 11:15 PM

SRINAGAR:  Almost no measures have been taken by the government to remove the barriers from public buildings, parks, gardens and other structures to allow smooth movement of physically challenged people.
The physically challenged have been excluded from the rest of the society. Though the Srinagar Municipal Corporation claims that accessibility for physically challenged persons would be ensured in all new public buildings, so far no such thing has been seen as important public junctures remain inaccessible to the disabled.
“This is an important issue and I am ensuring that the handicapped have access to different public buildings,” SMC commissioner Dr G N Qasba. He also said that the media should sensitise people by raising such issues.
“We are trying our level best to minimise the barriers. We have ensured that the new washrooms that are coming up in Lal Chowk have space for handicapped people, both ladies and gents,” Qasba told Kashmir Reader.
Javaid Ahmad Tak, a physically challenged person who runs Humanity Welfare Organization, an NGO, says inaccessibility of disabled people to the public places have segregated them from the society.
“We have been confined to the four walls of our home. We can’t go outside independently, we can’t meet our friends and we can’t enjoy in public parks,” Javaid said.
“I have seen many disabled people using crutches falling down on pavements. If the flooring was done properly they could have easily accessed many important public places.”
The biggest hindrance that prevents wheel chair bound persons from accessing various public buildings is the absence of ramps, Tak said.
“Important buildings here in the Valley are without ramps that could help the disabled in wheel chair to access it.”
Tak said that High Court, Hospitals, Schools are without ramps that cause “immense problems” for them and they have to seek help from others to enter the building.
“Even the Social Welfare Department is without a ramp and when we go there we seek help from drivers and they lift us in their laps so that we may go upstairs,” Tak said.
“Recently during a function at SKICC, one of the disabled was to be presented an award. But as there was no ramp, he was taken to the stage by a man in his lap. This humiliated and highlighted his disability.”
Director Social Welfare Department, Bashir Ahmad said that the department will definitely look to help those who are wheel-chair bound to approach the director directly. But he seemed more worried about difficulties faced by the disabled in approaching him than facilities for the disabled in general areas.
"We have a new proposal for a new building for the department, probably in Bemina area, and we will definitely construct a ramp for them so that they will face no problems in approaching us."
The director also said that it would be preferable that they will take their office to the ground floor inside the old secretariat premises so that the elderly and the disabled will face no difficulties in approaching the department.

 

Thread: Disable in India-control Kashmir call for gov't support

Thread: Disable in India-control Kashmir call for gov't support

 Disable in India-control Kashmir call for gov't support



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Disabled in India-controlled Kashmir call for gov't support - People's Daily Online, December 04, 2009



A group of physically challenged persons in Indian-controlled Kashmir Thursday evening staged a candle light protest demonstration to highlight their problems on the World Disability Day.



The members took organized a sit-in demonstration amid burning candles and holding placards in a public park at the heart of Srinagar city, the summer capital of India-controlled Kashmir to impress upon the local government to address their grievances.



"We demand proper infrastructure so that we can prove ourselves. We're able to do anything in case you give us proper environment. We are asking for special schools for the people with different kinds of disabilities. Our concern is to see all the buildings, transport, parks and other places in the region barrier-free," said Shahleel Ahmad, a disabled person.



According to census of India report 2001, the population of disabled in India-controlled Kashmir is 300,000, 3 percent of the total population. However, the non-governmental organizations put the figure somewhere around 800,000.



The members of the disability community in the region allege government apathy for their plight. There are no special schools for the disabled people in the region.



The Social Welfare Department officials maintain that they are providing a monthly disability pension of 9 U.S. dollars to disabled persons registered with their department.



But the activists say government assistance reaches only to the handful.



"As per government figures only 58,000 people get this meager assistance," said Javed Ahmad Tak, an activist fighting for the cause of disabled in the region.



Tak is running a NGO, Humanity Welfare Organization, catering to the educational needs of physically challenged children in Anantnag.



Earlier the day, members of Handicapped Association were baton charged and detained by police while they tried to present a memorandum to a United Nations Office in Srinagar.



The members are eager to seek attention of UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, for early implementation of rights of disabled in the conflict hit India-controlled Kashmir.



The members were shouting anti-government slogans and accused region's Social Welfare Ministry of breaking its promises made to them from time to time.



"Our demands include implementation of reservations rules in favor of handicapped, enhancement of monthly disability pension from 400 to 1,500 rupees a month, free education to children of disabled up to university level, loans at low interest rates, separate counters in government and semi-government offices, reservation for handicapped employees in promotion quota, allotment of residential plots and shops, 50 percent concession in electricity fees, re-advertisement of backlog vacancies," said Mukthar Ahmad, a community member.



Experts in the region underline the importance of survey in the region to know the exact data about the nature and number of disability affected people.



"There is a need to undertake a survey in order to collect the data in respect of the disabled persons district wise in the region. We are hopeful to start it soon and complete it within a stipulated time so that we can design possible solutions on need basis," said Sakina Itoo, Minister of Social Welfare in Indian-controlled Kashmir while addressing a function on World Disability Day.



A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in 2006 is also pending in the region's High Court seeking of emphasis on social and medical rehabilitation for the disabled persons.



Every year on Dec. 3, World Disability Day is observed to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.



Source: Xinhua



Source: http://www.defence.pk/forums/current-events-social-issues/40593-disable-india-control-kashmir-call-govt-support.html#ixzz26cz4Y0xQ

In quest for knowledge, physical disability is no handicap

In quest for knowledge, physical disability is no handicap
Arshad Hussain


Muhammad Ramzan Gugjoo and Haleema in Srinagar’s Dangerpora area are epitome of parental love since they groom two daughters who are suffering from Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic disorder that gradually weakens the muscles. Both the girls in their teens have lost the ability to walk, sit upright or move their arms. Despite odds, Ramzan and Haleema have been toiling hard to educate them. Amazingly, both are matriculate. Tabassum due to intense weakness has stopped further studies while Saima is hell bent in pursuing her education. The impoverished family, which detested celebrating any occasion, were gripped by joy as Saima, 17, achieved what her friends failed to and she did it by working relentlessly for 14 hours a day to pass the matriculation with 66 per cent marks.

She could have secured more marks had she been able to move her hand properly. Ramzan's elder daughter Tabasum, 22, has qualified the exams in 2006. This was her second attempt after failing in two subjects in 2003.

According to Ramzan, Tabasum was born a normal baby but it was at the age of four when she was unable to stand by her own and used to fall down and crawl.

It was Dr Sethi who, after examining her when she was in fifth class, revealed that our other child will also have the same problem as the elder one, said Ramzan.



It was the third child, Saima, who, after Tabasum, showed signs of the disability while other two children Wasim, 20, and Iqra, 15, are normal. Wasim studies in 12th standard and Iqra is in ninth.



Both Ramzan and Haleema are the embodiments of parenting as the former used to carry Tabasum and Saima on his shoulders to their school while the latter would bathe, comb, dress them and help them with books and lunch pack.



“I have to minutely monitor their movements since they can't move from the place where they are seated. After every eight days, I bathe, comb and change their clothes. Their movement to bathroom is difficult and I have to ensure that they are not hurt while I carry them on my shoulders,” says Haleema.



Ramzan left his traditional work of selling carpets and started a grocery shop at his house in Dangerpora, Yechpora, near Nawakadal.



“I suffered huge losses when I switched over but to me taking care of my daughters was more important. For both of us, it was crucial that Tabassum and Saima don't get a feeling of insecurity due to their disability,” he opines.



This family rarely visits any relative on occasions of happiness or grief as taking them along means inviting people to raise queries about their health conditions. Besides, the focus on the occasion shifts to them.



Ramzan's shoulders do bear marks of resilience since he had to carry daughters on them from home to school.



Both Tabasum and Saima stopped walking when they were in sixth standard.



“It was for more than five years that I carried my daughters on shoulder to their school,” reveals Ramzan.



It was dream come true for illiterate parents to educate crippled daughters who worked hard to qualify the matriculation.



Apart from parents and siblings, both Tabasum and Saima love Kangri and pillow as they consider the items vital to live in a room round the year.



“They are like roses as they can't wear warm and heavy clothes in winter and have to sit on pillow for comfort. So Kangri and pillow are two things which they consider vital to their life. Since they wear light clothes, they feel chilly and that is why they use Kangri from October till May while pillow is always there,” reveals Haleema, who sold her ornaments to construct a single storey house with a toilet for use by Tabasum and Saima.



“In the previous house, the toilet was far away from the rooms and we had to face problems while carrying them during bad weather conditions,” says Ramzan.



Among the two, Tabasum has developed fear psychosis and yells at her mother the moment she fears slipping or skidding while Saima is composed but off late has developed pain at the back whenever she is lifted on the shoulders by her mother.



Shocking for both the parents, Tabasum has been seen cursing her fate when she goes to bed while Saima says that her end was near within a year.



“I often saw Tabasum wishing her death while Saima cries that she will pass away any moment as she is developing weakness,” observes Haleema.



This makes both the parents worrisome.



Interestingly, even in these conditions, they don't want to be dependent on their parents and that was the main reason for Tabasum to stop from pursuing her education beyond matriculation.



“I have seen the way my parents took care of me and Saima and how much my father had to spend on our medical and education facilities. Besides, I do have a brother and a sister who live a normal life and their education is important, so I decided to quit,” says Tabasum, who loves computers.



Her interest in computers pushed her resolve to complete a three-month course in computer application from Govt Polytechnic, Srinagar .



Both the parents are worried about the future of Tabasum and Saima as they ponder over the situation when they are no more.



“That is why we struggled to educate them. The emphasis was to help them survive as independent persons but since Tabasum quit and Saima's interest got diminished which makes me worry about their future,” feels Ramzan.



Saima's interest in going for medical stream diminished after college authorities argued that she can't opt for the subjects since practical and regular classes are a must for qualifying for the examination.



Shocked, Saima is slowly accepting the reality of going for arts subjects with no regular classes. “This will depend on BOSE if they will allow her to appear in the examination without going for regular classes,” argues Ramzan.



With dejected mindset, both read Holy Quran and go for Zikr praying for their parents' long and healthy life.

Tarigami for Disability Commission for policy inputs

Tarigami for Disability Commission for policy inputs


GK NEWS NETWORK

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Larger Srinagar, Dec 4: CPI (M) State Secretary M Y Tarigami has called for a comprehensive reservation policy for the disabled in private educational institutions, training and professional colleges and other employment concerns to empower the disabled population in Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement, he said the recurring cycle of violence in the State has necessitated the urgent need to evolve, develop and focus on measures to build capacities among this miserable lot for their dignified living and equal opportunities to progress and development.

Demanding setting up of a Disability Commission in the State, the senior legislator said that the administrative structure would be instrumental in looking at their problems holistically and formulating policy inputs for their welfare. He said the State’s Social Welfare department is overburdened and is not capable to redress the grievances of the disabled accounting for over 3% population in Jammu and Kashmir.

disable children

Inclusive Education and PARIVAAR


Inclusion is a philosophy based on the belief that it is every person’s inherent right to fully participate in society.

SPECIAL CHILDREN BY AMARJIT SINGH ANAND

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What is Inclusion?

Inclusion means irrespective of the social, political, cultural, religious, ethnic status of a person, he or she is accepted in the Community or Society to which he or she belongs.

In respect of a person with disability inclusion has one more connotation. That a person with disability should not be discriminated against because of his or her disability. Inclusion of persons with disability in the mainstream of society is all the more relevant as their rightful place in the rights-based society has been ensured now with acceptance of United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities [UNCRPD] by our country.

It is necessary that the process of inclusion should start at a very early stage in the life of person with disability and particularly so in the life of Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities [PwIDDs]. In fact, if we look around the exclusion, and not the inclusion, or isolation of persons with disabilities starts at a very early stage when the child with disability is put in a special school and not in a normal school as other children.

It is heartening to observe that in quite a few elementary, middle and secondary classrooms students with special needs and other cognitive and physical disabilities are studying with their non-disabled peers. This practice of welcoming, valuing, empowering and supporting diverse academic and social learning among students of all abilities is called Inclusive Education.

Inclusive Education is more than mainstreaming. Mainstreaming implies that a student from a separate special education class visits the regular classroom for specific, usually non-academic, subjects. Inclusion is an educational process by which all students, including those with disabilities, are educated together for the majority of the school day. With sufficient support, students participate in age-appropriate, general education programs in their neighborhood schools.

Inclusive Education is an educational process by which all students, including those with disabilities, are educated together. Inclusion is a philosophy based on the belief that it is every person’s inherent right to fully participate in society. Inclusion implies acceptance of differences. It makes room for the person who would otherwise be excluded from the educational experiences.

When inclusion is effectively implemented, it has been found that it brings academic and social benefits for all students, both those who have special needs as well as non-disabled students. Actually, non-disabled students are more appreciative of differences and students with disabilities are more motivated. True acceptance of diversity ultimately develops within the school environment and is then carried into the home, workplace and community.



Benefits of Inclusion

It is, however a sad story in India that not many private or public schools are going for inclusive education. There are many misgivings about inclusive education with parents of non-disabled, and even teachers, are opposing it on various grounds. I don’t have any data of inclusive schooling, we have to analyze and study the problem with participation of parents, teachers and professionals. My discussion with concerned has found that the learning characteristics of students with special needs were more similar to their non-disabled peers than they were different. Moreover, teachers reported positive experiences with students with Learning Disabilities. They described their students as eager to learn, especially when encouraged, and reported personal satisfaction in terms of their professional achievements.



Vision of Reality.

Many children with disabilities continue to be educated in separate classrooms or schools for all or most of the day, even when their parents believe an inclusive setting would be more appropriate.

Why does this happen? Researchers have identified a variety of perceptual, cultural and emotional barriers that cause people to resist the idea of students with and without disabilities sharing the same classroom. In some cases the barrier is simply a matter of prejudice. But there are also many more complex views, including the belief that only those students with disabilities who are closer to “normal” can or should be included and the belief that the needs of students with disabilities are unique and beyond the reach of general educators.

Others may be concerned about the need for special expertise to support the student’s academic and social learning or the potential for students with disabilities to disrupt the classroom. Concerns may also include the costs associated with special services and the idea that functional life skills cannot be addressed in general classroom settings.

Successful implementation of inclusive education programs would allay these concerns. In fact, models of inclusive education can be models for the education of all students, as they overcome barriers and offer a variety of approaches which reach a broader range of students and improve learning. These successful inclusion programs will demonstrate how certain changes in the structure of school systems, classroom operations and the roles of teachers, students, parents and community members can enable equal access to general education curricula and related services for all students.

Unfortunately, effective models for inclusion do not yet exist in many parts of our country. The Government which came out with an Action Plan to implement an aggressive inclusive education policy in Feb 2006 also failed to take necessary steps and the policy remained on paper only.



Role of PARIVAAR.

We in PARIVAAR support all concerned individuals, parents, associations, organizations, institutions who support for inclusion. Inclusion if adopted in true manner in all spheres of life can bring great change in the life of the generation of young persons with disabilities. English speaking Public Schools can bring great change in this. Acceptability by normal children will fill the gap; it’s like untouchability. That is why we loud our voice and stand for ‘One Comprehensive Law’.

PARIVAAR is the only platform which formed Self Advocates Society of India-SASI Groups, where our self advocates have proved that they are second to none in honesty, loyalty, and working to their best. Some enlightened corporate sector companies have taken initiative to provide suitable jobs after training them. But these examples are very few and Parivaar and its affiliated units are taking initiatives in approaching and motivating other corporate sector companies. Even Educational Academies have come forward to educate our leaning disable children as part of Inclusion if PARIVAAR and Parents support them by providing Special Educators, in academic subjects.

We in PARIVAAR are confident that J&K will soon have the NT Act that will entitle you of what the rest of India gets for which PARIVAAR stands with you. As you all know that all Legislations that are enacted in our country are subject to ‘except the State of J&K’. It is the State of J & K that have to approach the Centre to extend all disability legislations to the State; has to pass a Legislation that J&K Disability Sector has equal rights as in rest of India and that J&K Assembly too should pass these legislations and make them applicable to the State. Here starts a revolution in J&K for our Special children.

I hope that in Jammu & Kashmir not a single District will be left without a Parents Platform and all the Parents Association in J&K are part of PARIVAAR. I as Secretary North Zone of PARIVAAR is always their to assist you and take every challenge for the cause of our special needs children.



Amarjit Singh Anand is Secretary North Zone PARIVAAR. Feedback at amarjitsinghanand@gmail.com.





Lastupdate on : Sat, 3 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Mecca time

Disability Defeated

Defeating Disability


Volume 04, Issue 06

Sunday, 15 April 2012 01:45

Crippled after losing control of his lower limbs by bullet injuries during an incident of cross firing, Arshad Pandit, a young Kashmir innovator defeated disability. He collaborated with a local motor mechanic and customized his car control system at hand level regaining his independence. P A Mushtaq reports.



Torso is what 37-year-old Arshad Pandit is able to move, while his lower limbs cannot sense anything. Like thousands of others maimed in Kashmir during the armed conflict, Pandit too was caught up in a firing incident and was hit by three bullets in 1995 that crippled him. But unlike others, Pandit decided to battle on and make it big for himself despite being paraplegic.



Pandit’s ingenuity has him now among seven innovators selected from the state by the union ministry of science and technology. It is after years of struggle that Pandit has invented wheels for himself by remodeling a car with all controls manageable by hands. All the three functions - clutch, brake and accelerator - controlled by feet in a normal car are regulated by hands. “On May 25, 1995, an accident rendered me paralysed at the age of 21. Waist down, I lost control of my lower limbs permanently. After remaining crippled for two years, I got a job in the health sector and my main concern was the personal abulation, to be able to commute between my home and the place of my work,” said Pandit, who was a graduate when bullets hit him. He looked around for a reliable means of transport but failed to zero in on one.



“I tried to find out whether I could buy a car with the requisite mechanical and other features compatible with my need and which is within my financial means and reach. However, such automatic cars came at a price that was flatly out of my reach,” he said.



The non-availability of vehicle did not let down Pandit’s spirits. Gazing at his Maruti Alto for five years, Arshad started a hunt for a local mechanic with an idea in his mind. “The idea to change my normal car friendly to my needs was in my mind for five years. It took me one year to realize my dream. The mechanism is simple but the idea made it big,” said Pandit.



Pandit says his idea was “remarkably simple”. “It could be executed by a trained motor mechanic without any need to fashion high-end sophisticated gadgetry. With the able and competent assistance of a local mechanic, the device I devised is a ‘hand-control system’ and is currently installed in my ‘Maruti Alto’ car at the ergonomic location under the steering wheel,” he said.



He has been driving the car for the last eight years with rare maintenance expenditure. “The hand control system is an assembly of few components.”



Arshad credits his inability and necessity for the innovation. “My necessity made me an innovator. I did not want to depend on others to drive me around and take me to my office,” he said.



Pandit did not allow his disability to come in the way of his growth and prosperity. After completing his master’s degree in Immunology and Molecular Medicine, he completed his doctorate thesis last year and is a consultant at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences’ Advanced Centre for Human Genetics. “My family was the pivot and encouraged me for all the achievements. It took me one year to make prototype of the car,” said Pandit.



The innovator is no more dependent on anyone for driving him around. “It was my elder brother who would drive me to places. I was completely dependent on him but not now. It has given me independence. Now I can go anywhere I want,” he said.



Besides the family, Pandit said he was inspired by two men - a friend who suffered from similar paralysis but became a senior administrative officer and Christopher Reeve, the superman actor.



With 22 publications to his credit, Pandit was among seven innovators selected for funding by the union ministry of science and technology.



Pandit on April 6 was part of the meeting of around 12 innovators at Kashmir University organised by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) Ahmadabad, Ministry of Science and Technology, and University Science Instrumentation Centre (USIC), Kashmir University.



“Expert has accepted Pandit’s innovation as remarkable. We have sent a complete report of his innovation to Department of Scientific Industrial Research, New Delhi, for funding,” said USIC’s technical officer Pervaiz Ahmad.



Under Grassroots Innovation & Augmentation Network (GIAN), Pandits’s innovation and the technique has been sent to the union ministry for science and technology for further promotion of the idea.