Dismayed and disappointed, JKHAWA alleged marginalization and discrimination
Mohammad Haris
Baramulla: Scores of handicapped persons and members of Jammu and Kashmir Handicapped Attehad Welfare Association (JKHAWA) were left disappointed and dismayed on Thursday after no official from the district administration despite formal invitations attended their distribution program.
Farooq Ahmad Dar, president JKHAWA which has over 300 members registered with them from across Baramulla district, said that they had invited Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, ADC Baramulla, CMO Baramulla and District Industries Officer formally but none of the officials bothered to attend our program and they ignored us which disappointed all our members.
“Despite tall claims of the government and administration about the welfare of handicapped persons. We are being ignored at every level as there is no importance of physically challenged persons. Despite our formal invitation no official attended our function,” he rued.
“Now we are made to understand that disable persons are indeed the most marginalized and discriminated lot. When the government needed us for their programs and did photo sessions for distribution of any aid or appliance we always fully cooperated with the authorities but we were left disappointed,” lamented Farooq Ahmad.
He informed that he distributed 12 sewing machines and Rs 12000 cash among the various beneficiaries as this organization has its slogan Humari Kamzoori Humeri Takat ( Our Disability Is Our Strength).
He appealed LG administration to take strong note of stepmother treatment with physically handicapped persons of Baramulla by the officials of district administration as it is evident that nobody understands their pain.