'Bring out hidden talents of disabled'

Speaking at the seventh anniversary of Swastha, a Centre for Special Education and Rehabilitation at Suntikoppa in Madikeri on Saturday, he said there are more than 5,000 differently abled persons in Kodagu.

‘Handicap is not a curse. There is a need to eradicate superstitious beliefs on handicap and need to bring physically challenged and differently abled children to the mainstream of the society.”

Coorg Foundation President Prof Arun Monappa said there are no dearth of schemes in the district. “However, we have failed in its implementation. The government has chalked out various schemes for the handicapped. However, the schemes have not been implemented effectively. The NGOs should come forward to the implementation of the government projects,” he said.

Coorg Foubdation Managing Trustee Hameed Haq said there are many differently abled persons in Kodagu. All of them could not be rehabilitated. The Foundation has been identifying the handicapped in the district.

A children’s drama on the theme of conservation of environment was staged on the occasion.