PWDs should be given equal respect: Govindas

Imphal: A society cannot be considered as a developed society unless the people of the society have mutual respect to each other including persons with disabilities, works minister K. Govindas said.

The minister was speaking during induction Programme of Indus Towers Scholarship for selected students with disabilities held at the conference hall of Spastic Society of Manipur, Tapokpi Bazaar, Langthabal Kunja, Imphal West on Wednesday.

People need to accept globally that PWDs are also a part of the society without discrimination. Tere are many things that PWDs can contribute to the society which a normal person cannot. Pointing out an example he said a blind person have more sense of touch and hearing than a normal person, Govindas said.

He said PWDs can give extraordinary performance which a normal person can give and due to the reason the society should give the PWDs equal respect that are giving to a normal person.

The function was organised by Spastic Society of Manipur and Shishu Sarothi , Guwahati for the  Indus Towers Scholarship Program (Formerly Bharti Infratel) for the Academic Session 2022 -2023.

This year 31 students with disabilities were awarded the scholarship and four scholars from previous year were presented with Laptops as additional support. Seven ex-scholars who have excelled in their career were felicitated with certificate and gifts as token of appreciation.

Gagan Charnalia, COO, Indus Towers Ltd. (NESA) who was the guest of honour mentioned that Indus Towers Ltd., formerly BhartiInfratel, is one of the largest telecom tower companies in the world that is enabling communication for millions of people daily and providing affordable, high quality and reliable services for the growing network connectivity needs of India.

He said the scholarship programme is a CSR initiative of Indus Towers implemented across North-East in association with ShishuSarothi and other State Partners .The scholarship aims to promote Inclusions of Students with Disabilities in the Mainstream by providing financial support in pursuing their higher education so that they can lead an independent life ahead. So far 464 students have been supported under the program out of which 102 students are from Manipur, Gagan said.

A Sensory Body Wrap was donated and handed over to the Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinic of the society by MLA K. Shyam of Langthabal Assembly Constituency who is also chairman of Tourism Development Corporation of Manipur.