International Day of Persons with Disabilities celebrated at AMU

Aligarh:On the eve of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Disability Unit in collaboration with Ahmadi School for the Visually Challenged, Aligarh Muslim University organized a special program, which included cultural and academic events at the Assembly Hall, University Polytechnic (Boys), AMU.

While addressing the program as Chief Guest, Prof Anis Ismail, former Dean, Student’s Welfare, AMU said that differently-abled people are not less than others in any walk of life. He informed that in the world nearly one billion people suffer disabilities in one form or the other and 80 percent of them live in developing countries.
Prof Ismail said that in spite of being the largest minority in the world, an estimated 50 percent of the differently-abled people are unable to get the general care required for well being. He pointed out that it is a collective responsibility of everyone to bring out the best in the differently-abled people in terms of utilizing skills.
While welcoming the guests, Dr Abdul Hamid Fazili, Coordinator, Disability Unit, AMU, stated that the International Day of Persons with Disabilities was announced in 1992 by United Nations. He added that the Disability Unit is dedicated in making AMU campus, a disabled friendly one.
Dr Fazili said that at AMU around 3 percent of job vacancies have been reserved for persons with disabilities. He urged differently-abled people to be aware of their rights and privileges.
Meanwhile, Mrs Firdaus Rehman, Principal, Ahmadi School for the Visually Challenged said that the United Nations and the World Health Organization are working hard towards the betterment of the differently abled people. She advised the differently-abled students not to carry the tag of disability on their foreheads but to rather make best possible use of their extraordinary skills.
The program also had a patriotic Ghazal performance by Shahnawaz Ansari, speeches on contemporary issues related to disability in English and Urdu by Fiza Haider and Jadia Asjad.Neha Ahmad recited an Urdu poem and Imran Hussain performed a ‘Nath’ in Sanskrit.
Pavitra Kumari performed a Bhajan, while there were cultural performances by other students too.During the program the differently-abled students with extraordinary academic performances were also felicitated. Dr Bilal Ahmad, Counselor and Placement Officer announced the prizes and proposed the vote of thanks.Mr Manzoor Alam conducted the program.