World Sight Day Shivpuri MP India

District Administration, District Blindness Prevention Society , Sambhav Social Service organization

13th October 2005

Shivpuri town had a historical march by the Visually Impaired children and Adults women and men both. More than 350 persons took part in the rally to assert for their rights and demand for proper implementation of PWD ACT.

The Programs for World Sight Day were jointly conceived by the District Collector Dr.M. Geetha, Dr.H.P.Jain Secretary DBPS and Dr SK. Singh Padam Sambhav Eye Hospital.

Madam Yashodhara Raje Sindia, MLA was very keen in participating in the march to uphold the rights and issues of Visually Impaired persons. She extended all her support for the event.

Zila Panchayat took the responsibility of Conference Hall, Food for the participants and other decorations. Department of Public Health Engineering gave their Publicity Truck to carry the children.

Four sets of loudspeakers were placed for slogans and attracting the attention of general public. The March was led by CEO, Zila Panchayat Shri Ajai Sharma, CM&HO Dr. Nagiach, Dr.H.P.Jain, Mr. Sengar President Nagar Nigam, President of Loin Club, Dr.Puranik, Dr.Govind Singh, and Mr.Verma-Deputy Director Panchayat.

The rally started from Padam Sambhav Eye Hospital and went through Main Market Madhav Chowk, and hospital road. It ended at Manglam Hall. The distance covered by the march was about 4 Kms.

There were children who were receiving IE as part of SSI program, some of them only 7 years. These children were taken in the truck to save them from heat and long distance travel. About 250  Women and men many very old, all very poor with blindness, for the first time in their lives had come from far off villages to take part in the rally. All of them had hoped that Government and People in general will understand their problems. Many had come with their problems of poverty and sufferings to seek Government intervention.

CBR program supported by SSI is currently reaching 160 persons with VI impairment. The program has removed the veil of obscurity and provided some recognition of their rights and needs. They have received training on daily living. A team of 12 persons constantly maintain contact with them. Community and family level counseling and awareness activities help in creating a positive climate for VI people. All VI children in the program have been enrolled in the government schools.

It was very obvious from the faces of many that they were confident people. They do not need any mercy from the society. They need respect and dignity. Many had learnt successfully most daily living skills, some even excelled in skills like singing and reading. Almost all they were very disciplined and thoughtful in their replies. Wisdom and experience was all around the group. Shivpuri town will remember this gathering for long time.

Evening was even more exciting where cultural program was presented by the VI people. The chief guest for the program was Dr. M.Geetha, DM Shivpuri. The Superintendent of Police, CEO and several other dignitaries of the town were also present. The meeting hall was totally packed. Several persons had to stand at door ways and out side. Folk song, religious song and Dholak playing and Flute playing were some main presentations. The gathering was jubilant and charged with emotions. Small girl Farzana Danced on Hindi Film song. Almost everyone danced with her.

The DM made some announcements that- School for VI children will be opened in Shivpuri, SHG will be given economic support, toilets will be constructed in the houses of all disabled, specially at places of large gatherings, The district will send teacher for receiving training in Special Education to teach VI children. She also invited all the persons to contact her for their problems. She instructed the staff present to pay special attention to the problems of VI persons. She also announced that entire week will be observed as World Sight Day Week. There will be special camps to for cataract surgeries at Badarwas, Manpura and Khaniyadana. Sambhav will send its team for exhibition, door to door contact and inviting the people to PHC for the operations. The operations will be done by the District Surgeons.

Sambhav shared that SSI has provided support for teachers, teaching aids and Braille kits for the students. Many of the CBR persons have received Government Health certificates, Railways and bus passes, pension and scholarship for the students.

World Sight Day Shivpuri will result in some long term benefits for the VI People.

Slogans and Display cards-

1. VI children are not burdens on parents

2. Education for VI children

3. Respect for VI persons

4. No mercy please, we want our rights

5. Implement PWD Act.

6. Use spectacles and live normal life

7. Remove cataract and live normal life

8. Get your eyes examined regularly

9. Protect eyes from injury

10. World Sight Day -13  October