Adviser to the Administrator, UT Chandigarh, Shri Vijay Dev gave away
the 3rd Cheshire Homes Annual Awards 2015 at Bal Bhavan here today.
Organised
by Cheshire Homes Chandigarh and the Social Welfare Department of UT
Chandigarh, the annual awards were given to to physically challenged persons as
well as organizations working for their cause from the states of Punjab,
Haryana, and UT Chandigarh.
Speaking
on the occasion, Mr Vijay Dev,Advisor to the Administrator commended the
efforts of Cheshire Homes for the physically disadvantaged people in the
region, and said that the Administration is aware about creating an inclusive
society and reach out to them in proactive manner.
He
informed that accessibility is the key issue and the Administration is making
efforts to make public facilities accessible to the physically challenged.
Patiala
based Society for Welfare of Handicapped which is working for the deaf, mute
and blind children got the Award for the category “NGO rendering service to
differently-abled persons”. Col. Karminder Singh accepted the award on
behalf of the Society.
Chandigarh’s
Institute for the Blind received the award for the category “NGO Providing
Education and Skills to Differently-abled Persons”, for its yeoman service in
training and placing visually challenged children since 1972.Maj. Gen. Rajinder Nath accepted the award on behalf of the Institute.
Mr. Amarjit
Singh Anand received the award under individual category working for the cause
of differently-abled persons, for leading a country-wide initiative to help
parents of children suffering from Down Syndrome.
Physically
challenged Dr. Dushyant Gupta, Head and Professor at the Guru Jambeshwar
University, Hisar, was given the award for achieving excellence in his
profession through hard work and dedication.
Former
Vice Chancellor of Baba Farid University Dr. S.S. Gill, as chairman, Director
Social Welfare Tilak Raj, Maj Gen Hardyal Singh, Maj.Gen A.S. Kahlon, and
Promila Chandra Mohan, formed the jury to shortlist the awardees from various
applications received.
Mr Vijay Dev also gave away aides and appliances to the
needy which included one wheel chair, three bicycles, one tricycle, two CP
chairs, one sewing machine and one crutch.
Gurdip
S. Deep, Chairman of Cheshire Homes Chandigarh, in his report informed that
there are 19 physically challenged inmates who have been provided shelter and
are being trained in various vocations to make them employable.
Cheshire
Homes instituted these awards in 2013 for honouring individuals, NGOs and the
corporate empowering the physically challenged persons, and the awards are
sponsored by Maj. Gen. A.S. Kahlon, Ritu Singhal, Pankaj Sahgal, and M/s Steel
Age.
Several
young disabled children presented a cultural programme on this occasion.
The Awards function was made possible with the support of Rotary Club of Chandigarh Midtown and the Inner Wheel Club Chandigarh Midtown, who sponsored the aides and appliances.
Our special thanks to our media partner, The Tribune, and Director Social Welfare Mr Tilak Raj for his all out support to make this programme a great success.