112 differently abled persons receive special aids in Gumla

Gumla: A 16-year-old visually impaired Saloni Kumari of Laxman Nagar in Gumla was happy on Monday after receiving a divyang (blind) stick for her commute during a government programme here. “Now, I will be able walk easily with this stick,” she said. Similarly, Suraj Sahu (22) of Karaundajor village, who had lost his right leg in an accident eight months ago, was provided with a crutch. He, however, demanded an artificial limb.As many as 112 out of 542 identified divyangs (differently-abled persons) were provided with different kinds of assistance by the state finance and food, civil supply and consumer affairs minister Rameshwar Oraon during the government-sponsored programme. The assistance included hearing aids, wheelchairs, walking sticks among others.Addressing the gathering, Oraon said, “The district administration has taken a noble initiative to make your life easy by reaching out to you though a survey and identifying your needs for the first time.”The district administration had conducted a special drive in the past to identify differently-abled persons in the district. A of 18,400 disabled persons across 21 categories identified by the government were given assistance.While all of them were given disability certificates to ensure that they get the benefits of government schemes, the administration is now also trying to provide them additional assistance. Deputy commissioner Sushant Gaurav said, “We have also planned to provide escorts to disabled students to help them attend classes. The escorts will be given Rs 500 per month.” Gumla social welfare officer Sita Pushpa said, “In the next phase, 430 people will be given various equipment, including battery rickshaws and bicycles.”