RAIGARH (Chhattisgarh): 3 December 2011, was celebrated as “International day for Persons with Disabilities” at Jindal Steel & Power Limited. The celebration was organized by Asha-The Hope, O P Jindal Vocational & Rehabilitation Centre (a rehabilitation centre under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Jindal Steel & Power Ltd ( JSPL) dedicated towards rehabilitation and empowerment of Persons with disabilities).
The objective of the celebration was to promote understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well being of persons with disabilities. The theme of the day was based on the goal of full and equal enjoyment of human rights and participation in society by persons with disabilities, established by world program of action concerned disabled persons, adopted by UN General Assembly in 1982.
The theme for the year 2011 was “Together for a better world for all: Including persons with disabilities in development”. The day was celebrated with Special sports event during forenoon session at O P Jindal School ground where special sports competitions, such as Wheel chair race, Spoon potato race, Music chair, 50 meters race were arranged for more than 70 children with disabilities. That was a moment of great enjoyment and fun for all participating children and their parents. Towards end of the sports program all children and parents were served with lunch.
A cultural evening was organized in JSPL auditorium which was graced by Rahul Sharma, Superintendent of Police, Raigarh as Chief Guest and Mrs. G Gayatree Sharma. From Jindal Steel & Power Limited, N A Ansari (Executive Director), R S Dabas (Sr. Vice President), S K Agrawal (Sr. Vice President), R K Singh, Dr. (Mrs.) Z K Ansari, Bibhu Prasad Mohanty had also graced the occasion. All members from Jindal Ladies Club were present in the celebration to encourage the participating special children. The Chief Guest and other Guests were given a warm welcome with bouquets of flowers by our Special children, following which the Program was inaugurated by the Chief Guest and other Guests at about 5.30 PM with lighting of lamp, offering of flowery tribute to our legendary founder father late Shri. OP Jindal (Babuji) and release of Souvenir of Asha-the Hope.
R K Singh DGM & Head, CSR, welcomed all guests and participating children and their parents. Chief Guest Sh. Rahul Sharma in his speech appreciated the activities and achievements of Asha-The Hope and highlighted the sincere & silent effort of JSPL towards effective inclusion and protection of Rights for persons with Disabilities in the Society. He also assured to extend all kind of support from the District Administration, for the Disability and Development initiatives taken up by JSPL. A brief introduction about the day and about Asha-the Hope was given by Debadutta Mishra, Rehabilitation officer, Asha-the Hope. A short documentary movie was shown on various dimensions of services offered by Asha-The Hope.
CSR team had the opportunity to Honor a successful woman with disability and Social activist Mrs. Jassi Vergese, from Raigarh, who was felicitated with memento from Chief Guest, Rahul Sharma, Supretenent of Police Raigarh.
The special Children of Asha, presented several group dances, and solo dances and their excellent performances were appreciated at all audience level. Special orchestra songs were presented by Mr & Mrs. Rakesh Sharma of Sab TV fame. A differently abled person was dedicated with a high-tech artificial limb, under the aegis of CSR JSPL, and the limb was fitted to him by the engineers from Endolite, Raipur (a reputed firm in the field of prosthesis making).
Winners of special sports program and participants of cultural program were given prizes and certificates during this evening. The Program was coordinated by Asha and CSR team and anchoring was coordinated by Tarun Baghel, CSR. To wards closing of the program mementoes were offered to the guests by our executive director and vote of thanks was offered by R S Dabas (Sr. Vice President).
