Differently abled people slam district administration for skipping Intl’ PwDs Day celebrations

Differently abled people voiced their displeasure with the district administration for failing to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3 or illuminate the Collector’s office, as had been done in the past.  

A. Balamurgan, district secretary, Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (TARATDAC), said, as an unwritten ritual, the District Collector’s office in the past had been decorated with lights for the occasion.  

In addition to this, an event would be organised by the District Collector to officially mark the International PwDs day.  

“On that day, welfare measures would be distributed to the differently abled people, and we would also be allowed to voice out our needs and grievances with the Collector,” he noted.  

This would give the differently abled people immense satisfaction that they had represented their issues to the district head in person, he added.  

“Though we could reach out to them on other days, this day, being special to us, as we are recognised worldwide, we feel relieved that our needs would be met by the administration,” Mr. Balamurugan stated.  

But contrary to previous years’ practice, the current district administration has failed to observe both the event and celebrations.  

“This we feel is a continuation of the recent injustices and a clear sign of the administration’s disregard for our community,” he added.  

Even though lights and decorations offered no tangible change to their lives, the five-day illumination of the Collector’s office in early December holds immense symbolic value, making persons with disabilities feel recognized and bringing them happiness. 

A district differently abled welfare department officer, said, though they had informed the Public Works Department to illuminate the collectorate campus with lights, they failed to carry out the work. 

“As the Collector is busy with arrangements regarding Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s visit to Madurai on December 7, we will conduct the event next week,” the official noted.