Daijiworld News Network – Mangalore (SC/GA)
Pics - Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, Dec 5: Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat president Mamatha D S Gatti inaugurated World Disabilities Day celebrations in a function held here at Town Hall on Monday December 5.

In her presidential address she said “if opportunities are given and proper mental and moral support is imparted children with mental disabilities can be brought to the main stream of the society. Through the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan programme the government is trying to reach out to the mentally-challenged children,” Mamatha informed.

On the occasion 15 mentally-challenged students were felicitated for their outstanding performance in extra-curricular activities.

Teachers and instructors were also felicitated for their service and contribution to the welfare of the mentally-challenged children.

Scholarships for meritorious students were also distributed on the occasion.  

On behalf of the students and teachers Vasanth Kumar Shetty, vice president Special Olympics-Karnataka handed over a memorandum to Mamatha Gatti and made an appeal that the government should come forward with a helping hand for the welfare of the mentally-challenged children.

Zilla Panchayat Standing Committee president Azeez Malar, Lions District Governor Dr Udayashankar Shet, social worker Octavia Albuquerque, Gandhi Nagar Lions Club president Jagadesh and others were present on the dais.

The programme was jointly organized under the aegis of Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat, Women and Child Welfare Department, Department of Public Instruction, Non Government Organizations and Lions Club.  

To create awareness among the public a road rally was organized which was flagged off by deputy commissioner M Maheshwer Rao. The rally moved from Light House Hill and commenced at Town Hall. Children and staff of 14 special schools from in and around the city participated in the rally.