BOKAKHAT, Dec 8 - The Upper Assam Handicapped Centre, the oldest differently-abled care centre situated in the heart of Bokakhat town, celebrated the Differently-abled Day in association with the boarders, guardians and the management on December 3.
The daylong programme began with the unfurling of the flag by Dhiraj Das, SDO (Civil)-cum-chairman of the managing committee while Khanindra Das, Revenue Circle officer and Rohini Ballav Saikia offered smriti tarpan. The officials of the Bokakhat Lekhika Samaroh Samiti, headed by Gitanjali Kalita organised a competition on drawing and painting among the differently-abled inmates of the centre. The open meeting held on the occasion was presided over by Kalpana Chetia, president of the Bokakhat Puwati Sahitya Sabha. Earlier, Jitu Sarmah Rajkhowa, secretary of the centre in his speech spoke about the significance of the day and welcomed the guests.
Inaugurating the meeting, the ADC of Golaghat Utpal Doley highlighted the various steps taken for the handicapped and also assured of providing help and assistance as per Government guidelines.
Speaking on the occasion as the appointed speaker, the Judicial Magistrate of Bokakhat Subdivisional Judicial Court, Saptarshri Garg elaborately pointed out various sections of laws that would help the differently-abled persons of the society to enjoy life like other citizens. He further said that since December 3, 1992 after a decision taken by United Nations General Assembly in 1976, the Disability Day or the International Day of People with Disability has been celebrated (Earlier, it was the International Day of Disabled Persons till 2007).
Speaking about the types and causes of disabilities, he also touched upon various challenges faced by the disabled people like psychological, social issues and economic issues.
Garg also reiterated that as per Article 15 (1) of the Constitution, the Government shall not subject to discrimination a disabled person. As per Article 15 (2), no citizen of India (including a disabled person) shall be subjected to discrimination, to enter a restaurant, a public place, a shop, wells, tanks, hotels etc., and no person with disability shall be treated as untouchable (Article-17) and there will be equal opportunity for all citizens in matters of employment.
He also spoke about other sections like Right to Life and Liberty, Right to Education etc. He also hinted at some other laws that had received the assent of the President on December 27, 2016 which have been considered as most essential for the differently-abled persons, like ensuring reasonable accommodation, protection from abuse, violence, exploitation, insurance schemes, reservation in higher education etc., comprising a total of 15 points.
Garg and the Additional Deputy Commissioner Utpal Doley also had an interaction with the audience. The District Welfare Officer i/c Nitul Goswami was also present. From among the invited persons, senior journalists Bhabananda Kalita, Bubul Dutta and Achyut Hazarika also spoke on the subject.
Amongst others, Annanda Saikia, advisor, Lekhika Samaroh Samity, Dipak Hazarika, Uttam Saikia, vice-president AJYCP, Prodyut Mahanta, president EMJA, were also present in the meeting.