CRC brings only disappointment for disabled persons in Kashmir
By staff writer
Kashmir Times
December 2, 2011 ET
When Composite Regional Centre (CRC) was set up in Kashmir in 2000; it had brought a ray of hope for tens of thousands of disabled people across the Valley.
But 11 years since then, the CRC has brought nothing but disappointment to the disabled population of Kashmir.
The disabled people here see the Centre as defunct body, which fails to fulfill its mandate. They complain that the Centre has failed to empower the disabled people in the Valley. "There
are only six Composite Regional Centers in the country and we were lucky to have one of them. But due to its mismanagement, it has been rendered useless," said Javed Tak, Chairman Humanity Welfare Organization, a Helpline NGO.
Composite Regional Center is meant for the rehabilitation and human resource development of disabled people. It is funded by the central government. Kashmir has one such centre, with two branches at district level.
The CRC, which was supposed to be taken over by the government and equipped with permanent directorate and staff, has failed to get the attention of the authorities. "But so far it has not been taken
over by the government. There are no permanent directors. Till now it has had eleven directors but none of them permanent. An accountant serves as an administrator at CRC," said Javed. "The CRC is supposed to conduct research, identify disabilities and provide required facilities and rehabilitation for them which they haven't done so far," said Mohammad Ismail, a physically disabled person.
He said that in the absence of CRC branches at district levels, majority of the population is unable to get any benefits. "The number of people going to CRC is very less while we have lakhs of disabled persons. Those living in other districts won't travel every day to Srinagar," said Ismail. He said that
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Disability in kashmir
World Disability Day
Physically challenged protest govt apathy
Ehsan Fazili
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, December 3
Members of the All J&K Handicapped Association held protests here today against the apathetic attitude of the government for not fulfilling their demands despite assurances on numerous occasion.
The association has decided to continue the agitation until all demands were fulfilled.
A spokesman for the association said the police prevented the demonstrators from highlighting their problems. He said while there were lakhs of differently abled persons in the state, successive governments had failed to fulfil their needs and demands despite assurances.
The association had also submitted a 22-point list of demands to the Social Welfare Minister recently, but no steps had been taken to resolve the issues, the spokesman said. The demands include three per cent reservation in jobs for the differently abled, an increase in monthly pension from Rs 400 to Rs 1,500, education from nursery to the university level free of cost and 50 per cent subsidy on loans on minimum interest rates.
Members of the Humanity Welfare Organisation Helpline, an NGO, organised a rally here this evening carrying candles to highlight the issues of the differently abled. They also carried placards in support of their demands.
Javed Ahmad Tak, chairman of the organisation, said while the day in other parts of the country was being observed to review existing policies, the differently abled in the state were being treated as a liability. He demanded concrete programmes for their rehabilitation with a school imparting Braille education.
Physically challenged protest govt apathy
Ehsan Fazili
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, December 3
Members of the All J&K Handicapped Association held protests here today against the apathetic attitude of the government for not fulfilling their demands despite assurances on numerous occasion.
The association has decided to continue the agitation until all demands were fulfilled.
A spokesman for the association said the police prevented the demonstrators from highlighting their problems. He said while there were lakhs of differently abled persons in the state, successive governments had failed to fulfil their needs and demands despite assurances.
The association had also submitted a 22-point list of demands to the Social Welfare Minister recently, but no steps had been taken to resolve the issues, the spokesman said. The demands include three per cent reservation in jobs for the differently abled, an increase in monthly pension from Rs 400 to Rs 1,500, education from nursery to the university level free of cost and 50 per cent subsidy on loans on minimum interest rates.
Members of the Humanity Welfare Organisation Helpline, an NGO, organised a rally here this evening carrying candles to highlight the issues of the differently abled. They also carried placards in support of their demands.
Javed Ahmad Tak, chairman of the organisation, said while the day in other parts of the country was being observed to review existing policies, the differently abled in the state were being treated as a liability. He demanded concrete programmes for their rehabilitation with a school imparting Braille education.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Valley’s physically challenged left in lurk
Author Zeenat Zeeshan Fazil - Sunday, 18 03 2012 10:41
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CRC promised much but delivered least
Srinagar: Composite Regional Centre (CRC) that was established in 2000 at Bemina (Bye Pass) with the aim to rehabilitate disabled people under the ‘Persons with Disabilities Act’ (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and full participation ), has brought nothing but disillusionment to the disabled people of Kashmir.
Talking to ‘Kashmir Images’, Javed Tak, Chairman Humanity Welfare Organization, a Helpline NGO, said “the main objective of CRC is to develop human resource by training professionals, to develop linkages amongst medical, educational and vocational services in order to extend services to rural areas in the form of community based rehabilitation. And to provide rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities to undertake designing, fabrication and fitment of aids and appliances and to serve as resource centre for rehabilitation and special education of persons with disabilities but here in Kashmir, it fails to fulfill its mandate.”
There are only six CRCs in the country and “tens of thousands of disabled people across the Valley were lucky enough to have one here but due to its mismanagement, centre has been rendered useless,” informs he.
“The main aim of establishing CRC in J&K was that it will cater the needs not only of disabled people of J&K but people of entire North India, but forget about other states, CRC is unable to deliver in its own state,” Tak said
In order to provide help to the physically challenged people, CRC here (which is funded by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment), has also established two branches (named District Disability Research Centre) at Anantnag and Baramulla.
As per insiders, despite getting annual funds of Rs 21 lakh (each one), centres are defunct as both lack not only in infrastructure and staff but have no monitory mechanism in place which aggravates the suffering of the people.
“I had come to get wheel chairs but officials here say that I need to go to Bemina for it, as they have no infrastructure available. Most of the people attending the Centre are disappointed,” said Ghulam Mohammad Gania, a physically disabled person of Anchidora of South Kashmir.
Now the question arises, “for a wheel chair that costs around Rs 800 I have to shell out around Rs 1000 on transport as I cannot travel in a local bus. Also I am also to be escorted by one more person,” he said adding “in the absence of CRC branches at other districts, majority of the population suffers,”
As per insiders, till date state government has failed to appoint permanent Director and staff for CRC.
“Since its establishment, centre has had 12 Directors but none of them permanent as all of them were having additional charge of the CRC. It is unfortunate that an accountant serves as an administrator at CRC,” confirms Tak.
In order to provide relief to the physically challenged people “Government needs to appoint someone who is given full fledged charge not additional one, otherwise what happens usually after finishing job of his office, Director comes to CRC after 5 pm,” said he adding “ His absence in the day time makes thousands of disabled people to suffer.”
As per Javed , at present, the CRC does provide some short term diploma, bachelors and other courses in rehabilitation therapy but there is no mobility training for visually impaired or mentally disabled persons,”
Since 2000, four times, CRC tried to open a school for visually impaired children, but was closed every time.
“The authorities say that they are incapable to bear the transportation charges of visually impaired children which forced them to close down the school,” adds Javed Tak.
When contacted, Hilal Ahmed Parray, Director Social Welfare (also holding additional charge of CRC) said, “All these people (disabled ones) are lying as CRC is providing all the help to them.”
“We have started academic course at CRC and are regularly doing campus assessments at various districts that include Bandipora, Kupwara and Budgam and are even distributing aids to these people,” said Parray.
He admits that the need of the hour is to upgrade machinery at CRC for which he has already sent proposal to central government.
When told his absence in the centre is making these people to suffer, he said, “People are there to tackle the problem of disabled people. It is not important whether I am available or not,” Parray told this reporter
0 CommentsRelated News
Scribes awarded
Man buried in landslide in Doda
Woman slips to death in Uri
Boy killed in explosion
Azad visiting today
SC wants VIP quota for Hajj to go
Infant killed, 16 injured in road accidents
TPUF demands removal of Shami Shair from DDK Srinagar
Kinsely to digitize J&K archives
Trial against ‘Geelani's aide’, 3 others to commence today
Army fears ‘ripple effects’ of Afghan situation in Kashmir
CAG pulls up govt for 90% shortfall in power coverage
Govt employees’ strike today
'India, Pak should withdraw troops to peacetime locations'
AFSPA, a functional requirement: Army chief
Omar again pitches for AFSPA revocation
CRC promised much but delivered least
Srinagar: Composite Regional Centre (CRC) that was established in 2000 at Bemina (Bye Pass) with the aim to rehabilitate disabled people under the ‘Persons with Disabilities Act’ (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and full participation ), has brought nothing but disillusionment to the disabled people of Kashmir.
Talking to ‘Kashmir Images’, Javed Tak, Chairman Humanity Welfare Organization, a Helpline NGO, said “the main objective of CRC is to develop human resource by training professionals, to develop linkages amongst medical, educational and vocational services in order to extend services to rural areas in the form of community based rehabilitation. And to provide rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities to undertake designing, fabrication and fitment of aids and appliances and to serve as resource centre for rehabilitation and special education of persons with disabilities but here in Kashmir, it fails to fulfill its mandate.”
There are only six CRCs in the country and “tens of thousands of disabled people across the Valley were lucky enough to have one here but due to its mismanagement, centre has been rendered useless,” informs he.
“The main aim of establishing CRC in J&K was that it will cater the needs not only of disabled people of J&K but people of entire North India, but forget about other states, CRC is unable to deliver in its own state,” Tak said
In order to provide help to the physically challenged people, CRC here (which is funded by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment), has also established two branches (named District Disability Research Centre) at Anantnag and Baramulla.
As per insiders, despite getting annual funds of Rs 21 lakh (each one), centres are defunct as both lack not only in infrastructure and staff but have no monitory mechanism in place which aggravates the suffering of the people.
“I had come to get wheel chairs but officials here say that I need to go to Bemina for it, as they have no infrastructure available. Most of the people attending the Centre are disappointed,” said Ghulam Mohammad Gania, a physically disabled person of Anchidora of South Kashmir.
Now the question arises, “for a wheel chair that costs around Rs 800 I have to shell out around Rs 1000 on transport as I cannot travel in a local bus. Also I am also to be escorted by one more person,” he said adding “in the absence of CRC branches at other districts, majority of the population suffers,”
As per insiders, till date state government has failed to appoint permanent Director and staff for CRC.
“Since its establishment, centre has had 12 Directors but none of them permanent as all of them were having additional charge of the CRC. It is unfortunate that an accountant serves as an administrator at CRC,” confirms Tak.
In order to provide relief to the physically challenged people “Government needs to appoint someone who is given full fledged charge not additional one, otherwise what happens usually after finishing job of his office, Director comes to CRC after 5 pm,” said he adding “ His absence in the day time makes thousands of disabled people to suffer.”
As per Javed , at present, the CRC does provide some short term diploma, bachelors and other courses in rehabilitation therapy but there is no mobility training for visually impaired or mentally disabled persons,”
Since 2000, four times, CRC tried to open a school for visually impaired children, but was closed every time.
“The authorities say that they are incapable to bear the transportation charges of visually impaired children which forced them to close down the school,” adds Javed Tak.
When contacted, Hilal Ahmed Parray, Director Social Welfare (also holding additional charge of CRC) said, “All these people (disabled ones) are lying as CRC is providing all the help to them.”
“We have started academic course at CRC and are regularly doing campus assessments at various districts that include Bandipora, Kupwara and Budgam and are even distributing aids to these people,” said Parray.
He admits that the need of the hour is to upgrade machinery at CRC for which he has already sent proposal to central government.
When told his absence in the centre is making these people to suffer, he said, “People are there to tackle the problem of disabled people. It is not important whether I am available or not,” Parray told this reporter
‘Implement JK Persons with Disabilities Act 1998 in letter and spirit’
Greater Kashmir NEWS NETWORK
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Srinagar, Dec 1: Differently abled persons from Kashmir on Thursday demanded that the Government should implement Jammu and Kashmir Persons with Disabilities Act 1998 in letter and spirit as they continue to suffer for want of implementation of the Act in the state.
“ We want implementation of Persons with Disability Act 1998 in letter and spirit. We do not need the meagre amount of Rs 400 as monthly pension but employment and education which is our basic right,” said Javed Ahmad Tak, honorary chairman Humanity Welfare Organization Helpline Bijbehara.
He was speaking on the inauguration of the weeklong programmes in connection with the World Disability Day at SKICC here.
Highlighting the problems faced by differently-abled persons, Tariq Bashir, a visually impaired person, working as lecturer DIET Anantnag highlighted the problems faced by visually impaired persons in day to day life, Dildar Ahmad Shapoo, a spinal injured person, bound to wheel chair highlighted the problems faced by severe persons with disabilities particularly problems faced by wheel chair users.
Minister of Social Welfare Sakeena Itoo said lot needs to be done for the real empowerment of physically challenged persons of the Valley. “There is great 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 greater increase in disability due to turmoil in the valley, ” said Itoo.
A statement issued Humanity Welfare Organization Helpline Bijbehara said that the minister directed for special employment of two young women with severe disability in social welfare department.
She assured that amendment will be brought in the Govt. Circular No: 62-SW of 2001 through Cabinet so that all eligible persons with disabilities get jobs through recruiting agencies, the statement added.
Director CRC and Director social Welfare Hilal Ahmad Parray acknowledged the problems faced by differently abled persons and stressed for the need of ISSS pension to be increased and assured the implementation of Jammu and Kashmir Persons with Disabilities Act 1998, the statement said.
Principal and sessions Judge Srinagar Kaneez Fatima donated five wheel chairs to the differently abled persons on spot in the memory of her son Late Sajid Iqbal Khanday.
Director SKICC Dr Gulam Nabi Qasba announced that an access audit will be conducted in SKICC soon to make it completely disable friendly.
Mementos were presented to Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon, Divisional commissioner Kashmir for creating assebility in Div Com office. Dr. Ghulam Nabi Itoo, Special assistant to Minister for Social Welfare for giving special attention to disability issues in J&K, Sajid Iqbal (posthumously) for being a helper of disable people (Kaneez Fatima received the memento.) Chowkidar Andoora Shangus –Khursheed, Janna Begum – Anganwadi Worker Arwani Bijbehara and Fahmeeda female multipurpose worker wopzan Bijbehara were awarded with special mementos for their contribution in disability sector in the villages of Anantnag district.
The programme was supported by Ahad Hotels and resorts Srinagar.
Adil Rashid gave vote of thanks on behalf of the organization.
Smaller
Default
Larger
Srinagar, Dec 1: Differently abled persons from Kashmir on Thursday demanded that the Government should implement Jammu and Kashmir Persons with Disabilities Act 1998 in letter and spirit as they continue to suffer for want of implementation of the Act in the state.
“ We want implementation of Persons with Disability Act 1998 in letter and spirit. We do not need the meagre amount of Rs 400 as monthly pension but employment and education which is our basic right,” said Javed Ahmad Tak, honorary chairman Humanity Welfare Organization Helpline Bijbehara.
He was speaking on the inauguration of the weeklong programmes in connection with the World Disability Day at SKICC here.
Highlighting the problems faced by differently-abled persons, Tariq Bashir, a visually impaired person, working as lecturer DIET Anantnag highlighted the problems faced by visually impaired persons in day to day life, Dildar Ahmad Shapoo, a spinal injured person, bound to wheel chair highlighted the problems faced by severe persons with disabilities particularly problems faced by wheel chair users.
Minister of Social Welfare Sakeena Itoo said lot needs to be done for the real empowerment of physically challenged persons of the Valley. “There is great 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 greater increase in disability due to turmoil in the valley, ” said Itoo.
A statement issued Humanity Welfare Organization Helpline Bijbehara said that the minister directed for special employment of two young women with severe disability in social welfare department.
She assured that amendment will be brought in the Govt. Circular No: 62-SW of 2001 through Cabinet so that all eligible persons with disabilities get jobs through recruiting agencies, the statement added.
Director CRC and Director social Welfare Hilal Ahmad Parray acknowledged the problems faced by differently abled persons and stressed for the need of ISSS pension to be increased and assured the implementation of Jammu and Kashmir Persons with Disabilities Act 1998, the statement said.
Principal and sessions Judge Srinagar Kaneez Fatima donated five wheel chairs to the differently abled persons on spot in the memory of her son Late Sajid Iqbal Khanday.
Director SKICC Dr Gulam Nabi Qasba announced that an access audit will be conducted in SKICC soon to make it completely disable friendly.
Mementos were presented to Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon, Divisional commissioner Kashmir for creating assebility in Div Com office. Dr. Ghulam Nabi Itoo, Special assistant to Minister for Social Welfare for giving special attention to disability issues in J&K, Sajid Iqbal (posthumously) for being a helper of disable people (Kaneez Fatima received the memento.) Chowkidar Andoora Shangus –Khursheed, Janna Begum – Anganwadi Worker Arwani Bijbehara and Fahmeeda female multipurpose worker wopzan Bijbehara were awarded with special mementos for their contribution in disability sector in the villages of Anantnag district.
The programme was supported by Ahad Hotels and resorts Srinagar.
Adil Rashid gave vote of thanks on behalf of the organization.
‘Implement JK Persons with Disabilities Act 1998 in letter and spirit’
Greater Kashmir NEWS NETWORK
Smaller
Default
Larger
Srinagar, Dec 1: Differently abled persons from Kashmir on Thursday demanded that the Government should implement Jammu and Kashmir Persons with Disabilities Act 1998 in letter and spirit as they continue to suffer for want of implementation of the Act in the state.
“ We want implementation of Persons with Disability Act 1998 in letter and spirit. We do not need the meagre amount of Rs 400 as monthly pension but employment and education which is our basic right,” said Javed Ahmad Tak, honorary chairman Humanity Welfare Organization Helpline Bijbehara.
He was speaking on the inauguration of the weeklong programmes in connection with the World Disability Day at SKICC here.
Highlighting the problems faced by differently-abled persons, Tariq Bashir, a visually impaired person, working as lecturer DIET Anantnag highlighted the problems faced by visually impaired persons in day to day life, Dildar Ahmad Shapoo, a spinal injured person, bound to wheel chair highlighted the problems faced by severe persons with disabilities particularly problems faced by wheel chair users.
Minister of Social Welfare Sakeena Itoo said lot needs to be done for the real empowerment of physically challenged persons of the Valley. “There is great 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 greater increase in disability due to turmoil in the valley, ” said Itoo.
A statement issued Humanity Welfare Organization Helpline Bijbehara said that the minister directed for special employment of two young women with severe disability in social welfare department.
She assured that amendment will be brought in the Govt. Circular No: 62-SW of 2001 through Cabinet so that all eligible persons with disabilities get jobs through recruiting agencies, the statement added.
Director CRC and Director social Welfare Hilal Ahmad Parray acknowledged the problems faced by differently abled persons and stressed for the need of ISSS pension to be increased and assured the implementation of Jammu and Kashmir Persons with Disabilities Act 1998, the statement said.
Principal and sessions Judge Srinagar Kaneez Fatima donated five wheel chairs to the differently abled persons on spot in the memory of her son Late Sajid Iqbal Khanday.
Director SKICC Dr Gulam Nabi Qasba announced that an access audit will be conducted in SKICC soon to make it completely disable friendly.
Mementos were presented to Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon, Divisional commissioner Kashmir for creating assebility in Div Com office. Dr. Ghulam Nabi Itoo, Special assistant to Minister for Social Welfare for giving special attention to disability issues in J&K, Sajid Iqbal (posthumously) for being a helper of disable people (Kaneez Fatima received the memento.) Chowkidar Andoora Shangus –Khursheed, Janna Begum – Anganwadi Worker Arwani Bijbehara and Fahmeeda female multipurpose worker wopzan Bijbehara were awarded with special mementos for their contribution in disability sector in the villages of Anantnag district.
The programme was supported by Ahad Hotels and resorts Srinagar.
Adil Rashid gave vote of thanks on behalf of the organization.
Smaller
Default
Larger
Srinagar, Dec 1: Differently abled persons from Kashmir on Thursday demanded that the Government should implement Jammu and Kashmir Persons with Disabilities Act 1998 in letter and spirit as they continue to suffer for want of implementation of the Act in the state.
“ We want implementation of Persons with Disability Act 1998 in letter and spirit. We do not need the meagre amount of Rs 400 as monthly pension but employment and education which is our basic right,” said Javed Ahmad Tak, honorary chairman Humanity Welfare Organization Helpline Bijbehara.
He was speaking on the inauguration of the weeklong programmes in connection with the World Disability Day at SKICC here.
Highlighting the problems faced by differently-abled persons, Tariq Bashir, a visually impaired person, working as lecturer DIET Anantnag highlighted the problems faced by visually impaired persons in day to day life, Dildar Ahmad Shapoo, a spinal injured person, bound to wheel chair highlighted the problems faced by severe persons with disabilities particularly problems faced by wheel chair users.
Minister of Social Welfare Sakeena Itoo said lot needs to be done for the real empowerment of physically challenged persons of the Valley. “There is great 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 greater increase in disability due to turmoil in the valley, ” said Itoo.
A statement issued Humanity Welfare Organization Helpline Bijbehara said that the minister directed for special employment of two young women with severe disability in social welfare department.
She assured that amendment will be brought in the Govt. Circular No: 62-SW of 2001 through Cabinet so that all eligible persons with disabilities get jobs through recruiting agencies, the statement added.
Director CRC and Director social Welfare Hilal Ahmad Parray acknowledged the problems faced by differently abled persons and stressed for the need of ISSS pension to be increased and assured the implementation of Jammu and Kashmir Persons with Disabilities Act 1998, the statement said.
Principal and sessions Judge Srinagar Kaneez Fatima donated five wheel chairs to the differently abled persons on spot in the memory of her son Late Sajid Iqbal Khanday.
Director SKICC Dr Gulam Nabi Qasba announced that an access audit will be conducted in SKICC soon to make it completely disable friendly.
Mementos were presented to Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon, Divisional commissioner Kashmir for creating assebility in Div Com office. Dr. Ghulam Nabi Itoo, Special assistant to Minister for Social Welfare for giving special attention to disability issues in J&K, Sajid Iqbal (posthumously) for being a helper of disable people (Kaneez Fatima received the memento.) Chowkidar Andoora Shangus –Khursheed, Janna Begum – Anganwadi Worker Arwani Bijbehara and Fahmeeda female multipurpose worker wopzan Bijbehara were awarded with special mementos for their contribution in disability sector in the villages of Anantnag district.
The programme was supported by Ahad Hotels and resorts Srinagar.
Adil Rashid gave vote of thanks on behalf of the organization.
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.”
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 still find no space in J&K
4/1/2012 12:00:10 AM
Early Times Report
srinagar, Mar 31: Authorities might be making tall claims about rehabilitation of disabled population of the state but people and organizations working for the welfare of the disabled children continue to allege official callousness.
A study conducted by 'Help Line' a non-governmental organization (NGO) working for the welfare of disabled children reveals that there are nearly seven lac people in the state with different types of disabilities including visual, hearing, speech, mental and orthopedic. The study further reveals that out of this huge chunk of disabled population, only one percent is literate.
Chairman of the NGO, Javed Ahmad Tak talking to Early Times said that though the government is spending crores of rupees under the various schemes to achieve the hundred percent literacy in the state but no focus is given to the disabled population in any such scheme. "In most of the states of south India the governments' have setup special schools for the disabled children where they are imparted education through various methods but in Jammu and Kashmir the government is yet to set up any such school for disabled children.," Tak said.
He said that out of the 1.84 lakh visually impaired population persons less than 1 percent is receiving education while as out of 90 thousand deaf and dumb persons, most of them children, only 90 to 100 of them are receiving education in private capacity. He said that the disabled persons as per the study have sharper brains than normal people but for state authorities, they seem to only a burden thus depriving them of their fundamental right.
Citing an example of Dehradun, Javed said, "Government there has set up an institute for the visually impaired and deaf and dumb children where they are taught through Braille and sign language methods but in our state the government considers disabled children as useless,'. He added that though there are some schools for disabled children run by some NGOs or individuals at some places but there has not bothered to provide any support to these NGOs
Early Times Report
srinagar, Mar 31: Authorities might be making tall claims about rehabilitation of disabled population of the state but people and organizations working for the welfare of the disabled children continue to allege official callousness.
A study conducted by 'Help Line' a non-governmental organization (NGO) working for the welfare of disabled children reveals that there are nearly seven lac people in the state with different types of disabilities including visual, hearing, speech, mental and orthopedic. The study further reveals that out of this huge chunk of disabled population, only one percent is literate.
Chairman of the NGO, Javed Ahmad Tak talking to Early Times said that though the government is spending crores of rupees under the various schemes to achieve the hundred percent literacy in the state but no focus is given to the disabled population in any such scheme. "In most of the states of south India the governments' have setup special schools for the disabled children where they are imparted education through various methods but in Jammu and Kashmir the government is yet to set up any such school for disabled children.," Tak said.
He said that out of the 1.84 lakh visually impaired population persons less than 1 percent is receiving education while as out of 90 thousand deaf and dumb persons, most of them children, only 90 to 100 of them are receiving education in private capacity. He said that the disabled persons as per the study have sharper brains than normal people but for state authorities, they seem to only a burden thus depriving them of their fundamental right.
Citing an example of Dehradun, Javed said, "Government there has set up an institute for the visually impaired and deaf and dumb children where they are taught through Braille and sign language methods but in our state the government considers disabled children as useless,'. He added that though there are some schools for disabled children run by some NGOs or individuals at some places but there has not bothered to provide any support to these NGOs
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