Assistive appliances to be distributed among 18,430 Divyangs

Assistive appliances and other aid would be distributed among a record 18,430 Divyangs (people with disabilities) in the presence of prime minister Narendra Modi at an event in Rajkot on June 29.

The central government said in a release that in terms of number of beneficiaries, Thursday’s event would be the biggest ever Samajik Adhikarita Shivir for distribution of aids and assistive devices to people with disabilities.

The largest such camps previously conducted by the department of empowerment of persons with disabilities were at Varanasi, Navsari and Vadodara in 2016, wherein approximately 10,000, 11,000 and 8,000 beneficiaries were served.

“The main objective for giving the aids is to promote their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation,” the government said.

According to officials, battery operated motorised tricycle, artificial limbs, special chair for cerebral palsy patients, daisy player, smart phone with screen reading, software for visually impaired and BTE digital type hearing aid are among the major devices which would be distributed in the camp.

“The items proposed are to serve as direct or indirect means for self employment and strengthening living conditions,” a statement said.

Guinness Records to be attempted

A Guinness World Record will be attempted on Tuesday by 1,500 people, the highest number of participation in a sign language lesson, at a single venue. The previous world record is held by China with 978 people. The topic of the lesson will be the National Anthem, and a sign language teacher will be instructing the lesson. Those who have attempted the record will also present their performance in front of the PM on Thursday. 

Another Guinness World Record is being attempted in the category with highest number of Orthosis (calipers) fitted to mobility impaired persons on a single day. Acceptance of request of this category is awaited from Guinness World Record authority.