New Delhi|HL
India Eye International Human Rights Observer (IHRO) is working on five verticals – Think Environment, Think Girl Child, Think Tribes, Think Senior Citizens & Think for Blind has organized a special event ‘Anhad’ for visually challenged today at India Islamic Cultural Centre in New Delhi.
Mr. Rakesh Sharma, Managing Director, India Eye IHRO holds the basic objective of organising this programme — “to have an inclusive approach of society towards visually impaired citizens besides sending a message to the society to accept them in every walk of life including offering them engaging and productive employment.”
Chief Guest Shri Vijay Sampla, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Social Justice & Guest of Honours Shri Mahesh Kumar Singla, IPS ( Special Secretary, Internal Security ), MHA and Sardar Jagdip Singh, Chairman Sigma Corporation Pvt. Ltd attended the function and felicitated top visually impaired achievers from various fields such as Academics, Bureaucracy, Law, Music; Art & Culture, Sports etc.
The great achievers who were honoured on the occasion were : Shri Rajesh Singh (IAS); Shri S. K. Rungta (Senior Advocate, Gen. Sec. of NFB, President of Asian Blind Union); Shri George Abraham (Founder, SCORE Foundation); Dr. Kusum Lata Malik (Senior Prof. Hindi Dept., DU); Dr. Anil Kumar Aneja ( Professor English Dept, DU); Dr. Garimella Subramaniam (Deputy Editor, The Hindu); Shri Shekhar Naik (Captain, Indian Blind Cricket Team); Shri Guman Ram Patel (Dy. Dir. (Retd.) Social Welfare, MP, Chhattisgarh); Shri A. K. Mittal (President, AICB; Secretary General, World Blind Union); Shri Jagdish Luthra (Founder, Rosemary Inst., Meerut); Shri P. Manoharan (Project Director, Southern India, NFB); Shri Puran Chand Nagpal (Ghazal Singer, Composer & Musician) & Mr. Divakar Sharma (SaReGaMaPa fame).
The Keynote address was delivered by a visually challenged noted academician, Dr Kusum Lata Malik and Cultural programmes was also present by visually challenged children and musicians
Additionally, a Panel Discussion titled, ‘World of Blind: Challenges & Responsibilities’ was also a part of the event which was a elaborative & informative discussion on the challenges faced by any visually impaired. The panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Garimella Subramaniam, Deputy Editor at The Hindu.
Further, cultural entertainment programmes were also performed by visually impaired students. The event was primarily attended by visually impaired and differently-abled people in large numbers. The auditorium was packed to the full capacity. Who’s who and leading citizens of the capital attended this function. Shekhar Naik, Captain of Indian Blind Cricket team was a craze among the youngsters on this occasion.
An Essay Writing competition in the age group of (6-12) & (13-18) years was also held on the theme “The world of the visually impaired and Society”.
Sixteen winners from both the age groups were awarded cash prizes of Rs. 5,000/- for first position, Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 2,000 for Second and Third positions. Ten consolation prizes were also given, amounting Rs. 1,000 each.
Apart from that, India Eye IHRO with support from Spectra Eye Hospital, New Delhi is taking an initiative of bringing free eye operations for near blindness patients of BPL families.
