India to hold limb fitment centres in 12 nations

The Ministry of External Affairs will, over the next one year, sponsor artificial limb fitment centres in 12 foreign nations as part of observing the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The MEA will sponsor Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti, which is better known by its trademark “Jaipur Foot”, to set up the camps around the world under the 'India for Humanity' initiative.

The BMVSS is among the world’s largest organisations for the fitment of artificial limbs, and till date has served over 1.73 million amputees.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday launched India for Humanity initiative.

Limb fitment camps are aimed at providing for physical, economic and social rehabilitation of the differently-abled around the world by helping them regain their mobility and dignity to "become self-respecting and productive members" of the society, said the MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.

“My ministry has spared no efforts in the evacuation of Indian citizens from crisis spots, and in this, we did not limit ourselves to just Indian nationals but extended our hands to help people of all nationalities,” said Swaraj.

“It is in this spirit that we launch this wonderful initiative India for Humanity. This will touch the lives of thousands of people who are in need of such assistance and will span over one year, covering several countries," Swaraj said.