DODA: The Social Welfare Department, Doda, in collaboration with the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) - a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India - organized a prosthetic aid distribution camp today at R&B Dak Bungalow, Thathri.

The event was held under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner Doda, Harvinder Singh and overall supervision of District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) Doda, Tariq Parveaz Qazi.

The program was chaired by Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Thathri, Sheetal Sharma.

During the camp, assistive devices and appliances were distributed to 34 beneficiaries identified during prior assessment camps in Thathri. The aids provided included adult and child wheelchairs, CP chairs, hearing aids, MSIED kits, smart canes, smartphones, Daisy players, Braille kits, crutches, walking sticks, rollators, calipers, artificial limbs, knee braces, lumbo-sacral belts and silicon foam cushions, among others. These modern and scientifically designed devices aim to improve the mobility, independence and quality of life of the recipients.

The initiative was undertaken under two flagship schemes of the Government of India: the Assistance to Disabled Persons (ADIP) Scheme for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) for senior citizens. These schemes aim to reduce the impact of disability, prevent secondary disabilities and promote physical, social and psychological rehabilitation, thereby enhancing the economic potential of the beneficiaries. Such camps play a vital role in empowering the differently-abled and elderly population by providing them tools for self-reliance and inclusion in society.

The event was organized on the ground by TSWO Thathri, Rajesh Sharma and was attended by SDM Thathri Sheetal Sharma, ALIMCO team from Mohali led by audiologist Tushar Chowdhary and other officials.

The beneficiaries and their families expressed gratitude to the administration and ALIMCO team for their dedicated efforts and support towards improving the lives of PwDs and senior citizens in the region.