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For an equal footing
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They too have the right to go places, and the Shakti Foundation with celebrity support has been relentlessly campaigning for ramps in public places. Miracle 2003 will be another step in this direction...
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THE SHAKTI Foundation is literally helping the physically challenged over the stiles with `Project Ramp'. Since its inception in 1991, the Foundation has been campaigning for ramps in public places, insisting that accessibility (for the physically disabled) is as important a public utility as any other. Today, we find a situation where hotels, educational institutions, government departments and shopping complexes (in Chennai) have taken the Foundation's suggestions on board.
This salutary change is in part attributable to the fact that celebrities have been behind the campaign. In a country where cricketers' opinions hold awesome weight, Indian cricketers' support to Shakti Foundation has been invaluable. Anil Kumble features in a 45-second documentary for public awareness about ramps; it was shot and directed by film director Rajiv Menon.
On October 15, 2002, Taj Coromandel and Shakti Foundation hosted an afternoon for 150 physically challenged children to meet with the Indian cricket team. Those were the children who could not enter the M.A. Chidambaram stadium (to witness the second India-Windies Test match). This year (before the Indian team left for the World Cup in South Africa), some of the Indian cricketers sent out messages on the need for ramps.
Anil Kumble, who has been with the Shakti Foundation since 1997, said ramps should be made mandatory in public places and that the needs of the physically challenged should be addressed. "The Shakti Foundation has been organising fund-raising events and this year we have Miracle 2003. I hope the corporates will come forward and contribute; it will ensure the Foundation has more wheelchairs, crutches and other accessories to help the physically challenged," said Anil Kumble.
Sourav Ganguly, who has also been lending steam to the Foundation, said: "I, on behalf of Shakti Foundation, make a plea that the people and the Government understand the problems (of the physically-challenged), and also realise that a minimum effort on their part can make the lives of the physically-challenged much better." Stating that the Foundation had been rendering yeoman's service to the disabled, Rahul Dravid expressed hope that Miracle 2003 would be a great success.
Now to the event of the month - Miracle 2003. Date: Saturday, March 22, 2003. Venue: Music Academy. Time: 6.00 p.m. Some of the best musicians in the world would take the stage. It would be the coming together of Indian and U.S. artistes _ U. Shrinivas on the mandolin, Michael Brook on the guitar, Edward Quinn on the percussion and Chris Tin on the keyboard.
Miracle 2003 comes in the line of the annual fund-raisers that the Foundation has been holding since 1991. Last year's fund-raiser was called Sraddha 2002 and the year before that it was called Mansar 2001. The fund-raiser in 2000 was called Sangamam 2000. `Mandolin' U. Shrinivas has played in all the afore-mentioned events. The Foundation has struck a chord with Shrinivas. He says the foundation is doing exemplary work and needs to be supported.
"The lack of equal access for the disadvantaged is a problem that extends beyond borders and cultural ties. It is under this banner of universal humanitarian aid that I am proud to perform for the Shakti Foundation, as a representative of the United States of America, but more importantly, as a believer in human dignity," says Chris Tin, in a message. "A small band travelling halfway around the world to a foreign country to raise aid for domestic problems is not an overnight solution, but it is a small step in the right direction. And the path to universal accessibility - a day when everyone can enjoy the same benefits of movement regardless of physical disability - is made by taking such small steps, one day at a time."
The Shakti Foundation is also rowing for others who cannot paddle their own canoe. It provides medicare for the rural underprivileged and the weaker sections of society. One of its projects is to equip the Adhiparasakthi Medical and Research Hopital, 92 km from Chennai. Every day, this hospital treats (free of cost) 575 outpatients from 600 villages in and around the Chingleput district. Since 1991, the Foundation has been equipping one ward of the hospital every year. From the proceeds of Miracle 2003, an automated clinical chemical analyser would be procured for the hospital.
For tele-booking call: 98400-36993/98840-11185/26440269/26611213.
PRINCE FREDERICK
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