Observance amid ignorance

The majority of the departments spent a hefty amount every year to observe the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. It seems that the government is only interested in spending money rather than taking steps to ensure benefits to the community. It is hard to explain the sufferings of the Persons with Disabilities as nobody can even imagine the pain and agony they are going through. However, the departments are showing their concern towards the community only when the International Day of Persons with Disabilities are observed while the steps they are supposed to take for them have been ignored openly and nobody bothers to raise the voice for disabled persons. It is unfortunate that every single department in Srinagar and elsewhere across Jammu and Kashmir lack the mandatory special offices for the disabled persons as it has been made compulsory to at least keep special offices or arrangements for the disabled persons to visit the departments and ensure hassle-free passage to them. One fails to understand why the government is showing non-seriousness on ensuring better and mandatory facilities to the disabled persons. Making statements and holding events on this particular day is tantamount to rubbing salt on the wounds of the community as instead of spending an amount on observing the day, it is imperative to take steps to ensure better facilities and special treatment to the disabled persons. The government should also take measures to implement a central act for disabled persons at an earliest, which would mitigate their sufferings.