National Commission for Women Chairperson visited Atamsukh Atamdev Ashram
Commission serious about the safety of disabled girls: Rahatkar
Atamsukh Ashram submitted a memorandum to the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women
National Commission for Women Chairperson met the founder of Atamsukh Ashram regarding priority treatment for disabled girls
Important meeting between Atamsukh Ashram and the Commission on the rights of special children
Hoshiarpur/ August 19/Daljeet Ajnoha
Hon’ble Chairperson of the National Commission for Women, Government of India, Ms. Vijaya Rahatkar, visited Atamsukh Atamdev Ashram (For Living Gods) in Hoshiarpur today. She was welcomed by the Ashram management and was given detailed information about the service activities being carried out by the institution for a long time. She interacted with special children, their parents, local representatives and social workers. During the visit, she observed the activities of the Ashram and also gathered information about the lives and challenges of children with disabilities and special needs, as well as the efforts being made for their overall development.
Speaking on the occasion, she said that much more remains to be done for the safety of women in India, particularly girls with intellectual disabilities. She appealed to society to change its mindset and ensure the safety of these intellectually disabled girls. She said that she would also ensure that her department makes efforts to provide these special girls with an environment where their safety is not compromised.
On this occasion, Mr. Avinash Rai Khanna, President of Atamsukh Atamdev Ashram and former Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, presented a memorandum to Hon’ble Chairperson of the National Commission for Women, Government of India, Ms. Vijaya Rahatkar. The memorandum stated that 3 crore persons with disabilities have a legal right to priority treatment in every hospital, but this right has remained limited to the pages of law books. The Commission was requested to issue necessary directions so that disabled girls can effectively avail themselves of this legal right and every disabled girl receives priority in medical treatment.
On this occasion, Mr. Avinash Rai Khanna was also present. Speaking on the occasion, he said that an institution like the National Commission for Women can be a very strong medium for ensuring the safety of intellectually disabled girls. He expressed his gratitude to Commission Chairperson Ms. Vijaya Rahatkar, who took time from her busy schedule to interact with the intellectually disabled girls of the Ashram, understand their problems and assure them of working in this direction.
Mr. Navdeep Sood, Trustee President, informed that Atamsukh Atamdev Ashram has been providing completely free services since 2012 to economically weaker, helpless and intellectually disabled children. At present, 75 intellectually disabled children are being cared for and educated at the Ashram. Of these, 13 children are dependent on beds or wheelchairs. Free bus facilities are also provided to transport the children from their homes to the Ashram and from the Ashram back to their homes. Currently, financial assistance of ₹34,500 per month is being provided to the parents of 18 children. In addition, annual health insurance of ₹1 lakh is being provided to 55 disabled children.
On this occasion, the children presented a colourful programme and won the hearts of everyone present. The programme was attended by prominent persons including Mr. Gopi Chand Kapoor, Mr. Diwan Ji, Mr. Vijay Sood from the business community, Mr. Ajay Kol from Delhi, and other dignitaries.
