International Disability Day observed
ALIGARH : The International Day of Persons with Disabilities was observed at the Aligarh Muslim University with several awareness-based programmes organized at different schools and centres.
The Disability Unit organized an awareness programme with more than 200 students and volunteers attending it to promote the welfare of students with disabilities and to sensitise people for their socio-political and economic progress.
The chief guest, AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mohammed Gulrez stressed the need for better facilities for students with disabilities and mentioned various provisions of betterment for them. He assured them of better facilities and environment.
Later, Prof Gulrez, along with the guests of honour, Prof Abdul Alim, Dean Students’ Welfare and Mr Saad Hameed, Training and Placement Officer, distributed wheelchairs, tricycles, smart sticks, hearing aids, recorders, headphones to 33 PWD students. Dr. Abdus Samad, Provost, VM Hall assisted in the distribution of the equipment.
Prof. Abdul Alim appreciated the services of the Disability Unit and highlighted the scholarships available for such students.
Mr Saad Hameed urged the PWD students to participate in career counselling sessions for a better understanding of career opportunities. He assured of all help and support to them in their future career endeavours, including a five-day workshop for personality development and a job fair shortly.
Earlier, welcoming the guests Prof. Manvendra Kumar Pundhir, Coordinator of the Unit, highlighted the significance of observing the disability day and presented a report of the achievements of the Disability Unit, including reservation roster modification and up-gradation, formation of an equal opportunity policy, appointment of a Grievance Redressal officer and formation of a Grievances Redressal Committee.
Student volunteers, Rahul Upadhyay and Madhiya Nihar conducted the programme while Dr Shagufta Niyazi, Counsellor, Disability Unit extended a vote of thanks.
At Ahmadi School for the Visually Challenged, the Principal, Dr. Naila Rashid welcomed the guest speaker, Dr. Naghma Azhar (Department of Commerce) who spoke at length about the issues and challenges faced by the physically challenged students and the ways and means to mitigate them. She urged PWD students to focus on empowering themselves with quality education and make all efforts to excel in their studies regardless of their disabilities. The students displayed their talents and got surprised gifts.
Dr Naila Rashid urged the students to understand that they are differently-abled and that with the help of positive thoughts, they can achieve anything.
The students participated in sports events like Kabaddi and Dog and the Bone, held to mark the day.