Bilal Handoo
Srinagar
Abdul Aziz Dar, 27, could see ray of hope. Immobile since childhood, walking for Aziz will be less cumbersome now. His polio ridden legs got calipers in the camp recently organized by State Trading Corporation (STC), a government of India enterprise and Sultan ul Arifeen artificial limb and caliper fitness centre, a branch of Jaipur based organization for handicapped.
In that event eight artificial limbs, five polio calipers, three tricycles, five wheel chairs, two pairs of auxiliary crutches and one surgical shoes was distributed among the beneficiaries.
One of the beneficiaries, Farooq Ahmad Dar from Habba Kadal area of old city received tricycle. Before three years ago, his legs were paralyzed due to some unknown reason and since then he is leading a handicapped life. “I tried every possible medical treatment, but nothing could heal my ailment,” said Farooq while flanked by his wife and daughter.
“Due to disturbance in districts bordering the LOC and also for other congenital reasons, there is a large need and demand for artificial limbs, calipers, hand pedaled tricycles, wheel chairs, exhaustible clutches and surgical shoes for amputees, polio patients and other physically challenged people in J&K,” said NK Mathur, chairman and managing director STC.
On the occasion, divisional commissioner Kashmir Dr Asgar Samoon who was chief guest quoted scripture to lay a stress on the importance of social responsibility towards handicapped section of the society. “Though government has provided relief to help handicapped class, but charity and social responsibility on the part of people will prevail a good sense,” he told audience.
The event organizer, Dr Mubeen Shah told the audience about overall achievements of his affiliated centre for handicaps, Jaipur Foot. “Time Magazine hails Jaipur Foot as one of the fifty best innovation of the world in the year 2009,” he informed gathering.
For a little girl, Afrooza this event brought some relief. So far, her life was totally rendered immovable by polio. The wheel chair she received on the occasion literally flashed a million dollar smile from her innocent face.
