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PALASBARI: Keeping in mind the challenges and issues of people with disabilities especially during the COVID times, the 'SAKSHAM Covid Sewa Nidhi' campaign was launched in Assam at a function organized by the Assam chapter of 'SAKSHAM' (Samadrishti, Kshamata Vikas Evam Anusandhan Mandal) on Saturday to mark holy occasion of Guru Purnima.
SAKSHAM strongly believes that disabled people are not a burden on society but are assets of the nation, and it has dedicated itself to the uplift of all persons with various disabilities.
SAKSHAM has taken a step to provide relief and succour to the Dibyangjan during the COVID-19 pandemic across the country. To create a platform for discussing the issues and challenges being faced by especially abled persons and thereby creating mass awareness, understanding and a change in attitudes, perceptions and actions that will result in people with disabilities having the greatest possible participation in the community.
The launching programme started with the introductory note of Dr Arup Jyoti Kalita, joint secretary of SAKSHAM North Assam chapter. Dr Kalita dwelt on the need for this application-based resource-mobilization campaign.
Welcoming the participants Dr Sukumar K, national organizing secretary of the organisation said that SAKSHAM has been successfully extending a helping hand by way of providing medical support assistance, ambulance services, supplying of food items, organizing vaccination camp etc. for the benefit of Dibyangjan. SAKSAM, Assam chapter is also untiringly involved in extending support to the 'Dibyangjan' in the State through its multifarious activities during the first and the ongoing second phase of the COVID-19 crisis.
Given the experience, SAKSHAM is actively perusing the effort of preparing itself in anticipation of the third phase of COVID-19 pandemic for providing greater relief to the 'Dibyangjan'. Hence, we are planning to virtually launch the 'SAKSHAM Covid Sewa Nidhi Campaign' in Assam on Saturday.
Popular singer Dikshu Sharma graced the occasion as the 'Special Guest'. He said that the specially-able people form a sizable section of our population and this community has promising creative and productive abilities. He expressed his willingness to associate with this noble campaign as an ambassador and ensured the gathering that he would extend all support to help the specially-abled people of the State.
The campaign was inaugurated in Assam by Dilip Saikia, MP (Lok Sabha). "Disability is a very sensitive issue which needs attention from each section of the society. Present Government has taken a lot of schemes and initiatives in this regard. I appreciate this campaign and appeal all to support for cause," said Saikia in his inaugural address.
Dr Ranjan Kakoty, Director Students Welfare, Gauhati University, dwelt on how the youths can play a pivotal role to help Dibyangjan in this COVID trying times.
Mithun Roy, secretary SAKSHAM South Assam, briefed the gathering about the activities taken by SAKSHAM in Covid times for the 'Dibyangjan'. He also offered the concluding remarks.
Monuj Tamuly, secretary North Assam of the organisation coordinated the launching campaign where about 100 people took part.
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