K.RAGHURAMAN'S COLUMN - POINTS TO PONDER _3

k.raghuraman's column

POINTS TO PONDER _ 2

Subject: best wishes to our P.M.

To: scretariat@ncpedp.com

Dear Sir,
I write to congratulate you on your stupendous success in theelections. I am thrilled and excited that the UPA government has comeinto power for the second term.
I wait in hope and anticipation that the positive initiatives that were begun in the last tenure will continue and touchthe lives of each one of the 70 million disabled people in India.
The demand for a separate ministry for disability has picked upmomentum across the country. This urgent need cannot be emphasizedenough.
I write to press this demand before you once again.The Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment is not able to fullyfocus on the issue of disability.
With issues of SC/ST, Minorities andthe other equally pressing issues demanding attention, the Minister is unable to find time for issues concerning disabled people.
Hence, A MOS may kindly be established for the welfare of the Disabled under the Ministry ofSocial Justice.
It has been almost 14 years since the Persons with Disability Act waspassed. Yet, it has not been properly implemented.
The Act itself is in dire need of amendments but this too could not be done. On the 1st of October 2007, India became the seventh country in the world to ratify theUnited Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and it was a proud moment for all of us in the Indian disability movement.
In a few months, it will be 2 years since the ratification.
This needs urgent attention as well.
A mandate is already set out in the XIth Five Year Plan for the upgradation of the Disability Division of the Ministry of SocialJustice and Empowerment, to a Department.
I quote verbatim from the Planning Commission document:Clause 6.188: The ‘Disability Division’ of the Ministry of SocialJustice and Empowerment shall be strengthened with the status of aseparate ‘Department’ so that they can effectively interact with all the concerned Ministries/Departments and ensure that they fulfill theirresponsibility towards disabled persons, including the financial support enjoined on them.
This gesture would send a strong message not only to India, but to thewhole world, about your Government’s commitment to the cause ofdisability.
I urge you to consider this demand favourably.With best wishes and prayers to you and your team, for your secondterm in office.

With deep and personal regards,

k.Raghuraman.

M A B.ED.P.G.

ASSISTANT IN ENGLISH

Lady Wellintdon Higher Secondary School.

Triplicane,

Chennai 600059

Mobile: 09840018012

Email: thinkdontblink@gmail.comSkype: thinkdontblink

*friends, please read this forwarded message and send to our hounarableP.M. in your name to do the needful.

regards

raghu..