Gandhinagar, 19 July 2014

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel today made a fervent appeal to the society, and particularly anganwadi workers and parents-guardians of physically challenged tiny tots, to be compassionate towards the handicap and needs of the specially-empowered children.

She was speaking at a function arranged by Gandhinagar District Panchayat to mark the distribution of health cards to 157 physically challenged tiny tots of anganwadis under Bal Vikas Yojna, pension certificates of Rs.200 per month to four children with over 80 per cent deformity, besides callipers, walkers and other kits to 56 children.

Mrs. Patel said it is a curse and in no case such children be neglected. They should be encouraged to stand on their own, hold their head high and live on their own terms.

She mooted the idea of providing short-term day’s training to anganwadi workers as well as parents-guardians of such children. She said voluntary organizations could chip in their mite.

The Chief Minister recalled that anganwadis are functioning in the state since 1975 for the upkeep of children, but the physically challenged have been neglected. The Gujarat Government is committed to provide necessary medical treatment to physically challenged children.

The health cards are issued by Government of India’s Social Justice & Empowerment Department National Trust, besides pension under the Indira Gandhi National Disabled Pension Scheme and Surdas Yojna for 0-16 BPL families.

Social Justice & Empowerment Minister Ramanlal Vora said the initiative for physically challenged children launched by Mrs Anandiben Patel is continuation of the state’s campaign against malnutrition launched by her predecessor Mr. Narendra Modi, the then Chief Minister and present Prime Minister.

Minister of State for Women & Children’s Welfare Vasuben Trivedi said that Rs.2,460-crore have been allotted to her department in the budget. Gujarat has to fulfil the 100 days target under the leadership of Mrs. Patel. She wished the campaign started in Gandhinagar will be extended throughout the state.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Gandhinagar District Panchayat President Hinaben Patel, Ahmedabad Blind People’s Association’s Dr Bhushan Punani and District Development Officer Victor Macwan.

Those present on the occasion included MLAs Shmabhuji Thakor and Ashok Patel, Gandhinagar Mayor Mahendrasinh Rana, District Incharge Secretary M.M. Dagur, Women & Children Development Secretary Anju Sharma, Children’s University Vice-Chancellor Dr Harshad Shah, office-bearers, officers, anganwadi workers and beneficiaries.