Facilities, scholarships and equipments worth more than Rs. 20 lakh was distributed among the differently-abled during the district-level programme held here on Wednesday to mark ‘World Disability Day’.
The beneficiaries included students who received monthly scholarships and fee reimbursements, married couples who were given Rs. one lakh to finance the wedding, three stitching machines to encourage self-employment, wheelchairs, elbow crutches and tricycles to aid in mobility, among others.
Promising the gathered that he would voice the difficulties of the disabled in the Assembly, J.R. Lobo, Mangaluru South MLA, said a lot more needs to be done to empower the differently-abled. “The post of lift operator in government and private buildings can be reserved for the disabled. This will help them achieve financial independence,” he said.
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Preceding the formal stage programme, numerous students from special schools and disabled persons held a rally from Jyothi Circle (Ambedkar circle) to Shanti Nilaya auditorium.