He Dares to Challenge - Pathanamthitta

The upcoming local body elections offer reserved seats for women and even for families. But the physically challenged have no such luxuries. Salim, a paralysed person, is contesting from the 5th ward of the Perinthalmanna municipality and he is reaching out to public in his wheelchair.

For him, victory may just be secondary. Salim said he decided to contest the election to motivate those persons who are stranded in the four walls of their houses. He has two opponents -- a UDF and an independent candidates. Salim noted that CPM and BJP have withdrawn their candidates to support him. “We have to convince a ward member now to introduce projects helping the people like us.  It will be easy to implement the projects, aiming the improvement of the life of paralysed persons, if we have a representative in the governing body. I am giving this message to the public through my candidature and I hope there will be more such candidates in near future,” Salim said.

Salim is an active worker of an organization viz Santhwanam for the last 16 years.  The organization is working among the disabled persons. The Perinthalmanna municipality has also introduced the project four years back and Salim is planning to introduce more such schemes if he becomes a municipal councillor.



Source : The New Indian Express , 21st Oct 2015