They cannot hear others or speak but they are eager to join the mainstream and to make their mark  in life.  With this  message, a rally was organised by Divyangs of Haridwar on Wednesday morning. SSP Haridwar Krishna Kumar V K flagged off the rally from Kankhal and participated in it too while holding the hands of the specially-abled kids.   The participants of the rally demanded the sign language be made compulsory in all departments of the State Government.

In a joint initiative, Abhiprerna Foundation and Devbhoomi Badhir Association organised the rally to mark the week- long Divyang Mahotsav three days before the world observes the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.  After snaking through many roads of the city, the rally ended at Chandracharya Chowk. Among the participants were hearing and speech impaired people and children afflicted with cerebral palsy. 

Holding placards in their hands with messages written on them, the specially abled  people  tried to draw attention of the policy makers and the society at large to the rights they are entitled to as per the provisions of the Indian Constitution. Aside from demanding sign language being made compulsory in the Government departments, they raised the demand of the appointment of people who would help them communicate with others.

The State president of the Devbhoomi Badhir Association Sandeep Arora said, “Every department must be made easily accessible to the people with special needs under  the Prime Minister’s Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan.”

Speaking on the occasion, SSP said, “These special children have extraordinary talents in them. What they need is a little of societal encouragement to polish them and join the mainstream.  History bears testimony to the fact that they can make milestones in different domains of life inspiring others.”

The President of Abhiprerna Foundation Deepeshchandra Prasad said that the objective of taking out such rallies is to help such  children and youngsters become part of the mainstream. “We have used the rally to inform them of various schemes the Centre and the  State Government have been running for their welfare,” he added.