A first of its kind ‘Workshop on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016’ was organised by Khiamniungan Baptist Churches Association (KBCA) in collaboration with Nagaland State Disability Forum (NSDF) and supported by the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD) Kohima, Nagaland on Friday at KBCA Komking, Noklak.
Fatima Kera, President NSDF while challenging the PwD to accept their disabilities and to come out of comfort zone also advised the parents to encourage and train their PwD children rather than pampering them with overprotection.
“Give them wings to fly”, she stated.
Fatima Kera, President NSDF
Kera pointed out that awareness on disabilities has been neglected for so long in Nagaland. She lamented that many PwDs are confined to their houses and that majority are uneducated as only a few are accessible to education. She stressed on a newer perspective on bringing about changes in attitude in the society.
Persons with Disabilities are part of the society, she added. Church being the biggest platform, Kera urged the church leaders to include Persons with Disabilities
in ministerial activities and to be the “voice of the voiceless”.
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Ashe H. Kiba, Programme Coordinator, State Commissioner for PwDs, Kohima, Nagaland shared her challenges, humiliation and being bullied during school days and even as an adult. Kiba expressed that the tough journey and accepting her disability has resulted to render her work for the wellbeing of the PwDs.
“Earlier my disability was my weakness, now my disability is my strength,” she stated.
Testifying that she found ‘confidence’ only after committing her life to God, Kiba urged the PwDs to accept their disabilities and to be aware of schemes and reservations set for them.
Ashe H. Kiba, Programme Coordinator, State Commissioner for PwDs (Left) and M Heno, President PwDs Union, Noklak (Right)
M Heno, President PwDs Union, Noklak while sharing ‘Voice of PwDs’ expressed the ground reality of the challenges they face every day. He urged every responsible citizen to extend support and guide them in approaching the right schemes and reservations.
Kathyinla, EAC Noklak District in her short speech stated that what makes a real human is seeing what others cannot see. She also challenged the citizens to change perspective and look beyond. Dr Victor, CMO cum Medical Superintendent, District Hospital Noklak asserted that such workshops should not end here but to reach out to every disability. Hemping, CDPO, Social Welfare Department highlighted on the purpose of the department and how to apply schemes by beneficiaries.
Kathyinla, EAC Noklak (L); Dr Victor, CMO cum Medical Superintendent (top-centre); Chongtin, Head Mistress, CHS (top-R); Hemping, CDPO (bottom-centre); Hempao, Exec Secy, KBCA (bottom-R)
Earlier, the program was chaired by Chongtin, Head Mistress, CHS, Noklak; a special song was presented by Sangchiu, a PwD (visually impaired); Vote of thanks was delivered by Hempao, Executive Secretary, KBCA; Invocation and benediction was pronounced by Thengiu, Pastor BTC and Laam, Associate Pastor Women, Longdon Baptist Church Noklak Town (LBCNT).
