Differently-abled showcase their mettle - Vishakhapatnam

The scene at the Andhra University grounds was abuzz with activity on Thursday. In all, 1,000 boys and girls who gathered there displayed the enthusiasm and fighting spirit one usually witnesses during a sports meet.

A differently-abled youngster participating in the javelin throw event at a sports meet held in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.

That the participants are differently-abled is noticed only when they are seen with callipers or being helped to the starting point.

There was a loud cheer as the first event, the 100 m race, commenced and the enthusiasm continued till the end.

The Department for Disabled Welfare organised the meet on the occasion of the World Day of Disabled in which students of several schools for physically challenged and special children and organisations like Lebenshilfe and Jyotirmayi Service Organisation for Physically Handicapped participated.

The participants were divided into two age groups: under 15 and 15-25 years, and competitions were conducted in 50 m, 100 m runs, shotput, discus throw, javelin throw, tricycle race, etc.

Chief guest, Chairperson of Zilla Praja Parishad, Lalam Bhavani, hailed the spirit of the participants saying that they had the capacity to prove themselves in any field.

Joint Collector-II D. Venkata Reddy said such meets would help the physically challenged exhibit their talent.

AU Registrar V. Umamaheswara Rao, Assistant Director (Disabled Welfare) Venkateswara Rao, DSDO N. Surya Rao, Project Officer of Centre for Training for Physically Challenged Vijaya Kumar, and executive director of Lebenshilfe T. Saraswathi Devi participated.

M. Rupa and M. Satya, students of the Government School for Visually Handicapped (Sagar Nagar), who won gold medals in the 48 kg and 44 kg categories in the Srikakulam district weightlifting championships, were introduced to Ms. Bhavani.



Source : The Hindu , 27th Nov 2015