Accessible awareness bike ride by physically challenged persons in Meghalaya

KHANAPARA (Ri-Bhoi): Exceptional passion and determination among a group of physically challenged persons has led them to take the unmatched mission of creating awareness through a bike ride across 2,500 km in 10 days. Their resolve is to promote accessibility for people like them creating a barrier-free environment and providing the disabled with friendly access to public facilities and places.

The ride has been ceremonially flagged off by CP Marak, IFS (retd.), Member, Meghalaya State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission from the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) today in the presence of USTM Chancellor Mahbubul Hoque, officials and students and several office bearers of the All Axom Divyanga Development Association.

The initiative is fully supported by the 'I Can I Will Academy' of USTM, an academy for physically challenged talents.

Speaking on the occasion, Mahbubul Hoque said, "The 'I Can I will Academy' of USTM is for the especially-abled talents of the region. Under the outreach initiative of the University, this Academy is supporting this Accessible Awareness Ride which is in the tune of the Government of India's Accessible India Campaign". He said that inclusivity and equality for all is a mission of USTM and in the I Can I Will Academy such physically challenged persons can get education and skill training for their development.

The ride is undertaken by six physically challenged persons by 3 retro-fitted scooty with a pillion facility. It will cover 2,500 km connecting 28 districts of Assam in 10 days. The riders are Samsul Haque, Amir Ali and Saidul Bhuyan while Upama Bezbaruah, Abdul Haque and Mrigangka Das will be in pillion. The team will depart from Khanapara Veterinary Field in the morning of 30th October and will ride through South Salmara, Barpeta, Tezpur, Dhakuwakhana, Tinsukia, Sivasagar, Hojai, Maibong and will reach Guwahati on 8th November 2022.

Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, CP Marak said that the objective of the ride is to increase awareness for accessibility in government buildings. Provision of features of accessibility such as staircases, ramps, double height handrails, tactile paths in corridors, wide entry gates, reserved parking and disabled-friendly toilets, accessible elevators, etc., need to be made. Public-centric buildings like schools, hospitals, police stations, courts, tourist places, etc., are the focus areas.

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