Education and training will help the specially-abled to be assets to society: Governor Arif Muhammad Khan

Thiruvananthapuram, July 5, 2023: Differently-abled people can become self-sufficient and acquire the potential to inspire others, Kerala Governor Arif Muhammad Khan stated here today. The Kerala Governor added that providing education and training to the specially-abled is a necessity. The society should provide the necessary facilities for the specially-abled. With education provided to them, they will be able to look after themselves and also prove to be a source of inspiration to so many other people, the Governor said.

Arif Muhammad Khan was speaking after inaugurating the three-day International Conference on Comprehensive Education for Children with Special Needs, organised by Different Art Centre and Adelphi University, New York. The conference is supported by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of India, and the Social Justice Department, Government of Kerala.

Every being is potentially divine, the Governor said. The specially-abled should be enabled to live with dignity. There is an element of God in all living beings, including man. The aptitudes of the specially-abled should be recognized and they should be deployed accordingly. Our Prime Minister describes the specially-abled as Divyangjan. That is our culture. The Governor praised Gopinath Muthukad for having found the divinity in the specially-abled.

Dr. R. Bindu, Minister for Social Justice and Higher Education, who presided over the inaugural function, said that Kerala is ahead in disability-friendliness and care. Stating that this is a matter of pride for the state, she said the government is committed to ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities, nurturing their skills and ensuring a dignified life.

Various institutions under the Department of Social Justice are also working for their upliftment, the minister said, adding that the aim of the government is to create a society that includes all by erasing the divisions.

Dr R Bindu also pointed out that differently-abled people are the most neglected minority community in the world. According to the World Health Organization, there are one billion people with disabilities worldwide. Of these, 400 million people are in developed countries. 75 percent are unemployed. According to the 2011 census, there are 26.8 million people with disabilities in India. This is 2.21 percent of the total population. Most of these people live in remote villages. The minister added that half of the differently-abled children drop out of studies post-LP and UP classes. The Minister also said that Gopinath Muthukad's efforts to bring children with special needs into the mainstream of the society is an example for all.

Mohan Agashe, Renowned actor and psychologist, was the guest of honour. 

Gopinath Muthukad, Executive Director, Different Art Centre, welcomed the gathering. Dr. Agnes Kipfer, from INSHEA France, Dr. Stephen Mark Shore, Dr. Pawan Antony, professors from Adelphi University; were among those who participated. The programme handbook of the conference was released by the Governor at the function, by handing it over to Dr Stephen Shore. The first day of the conference witnessed eight sessions, workshops and debates on various issues faced by children with special needs.