Pics by Rons Bantwal

Mumbai, Jul 27: “One needs to call the blind, blind instead of different names such as challenged, disabled or impaired,” said lyricist Gulzar as he inaugurated a three day ‘Disability Awareness Program’ at the American Center, Churchgate, on Monday. “The mindset of the society will change if we change it and we need to bring a smile on their faces too,” he added.

The programme, organised to mark the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, hopes to raise awareness by fostering inclusiveness education and empowerment within society.

American Consul General Paul Folmsbee said he hoped such initiatives would inspire citizens and government to bring about a constructive change by ameliorating the challenges faced by people living with disabilities.

Gulzar also gave away prizes to winners of the ‘Poetry for Social Change’ competition organised by the American Center, Participants had to pen a couplet in Hindu Urdu in maximum 25 words.

Addressing the gathered students and activists, Gulzar proposed that a page with information on Braille and sign language be included in school textbooks to create an inclusive society. He said that this had already been implemented in Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh.