Kolkata, Dec. 3 (ANI): People suffering from physical or mental afflictions participated in a rally held here on Monday on the occasion of the International Day of People with Disability.
According to media reports, over one billion people, or approximately 15 per cent of the world's population, live with some form of disability.
Persons with disabilities, who are the world's largest minority, often face barriers in every aspect of society.
Former Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee described it as a shame that specially-abled people have to still come out onto the streets to raise their voices for basic entitlements.
"See, it's a national problem, a human problem of great magnitude, and, it is the duty of the nation as a whole, including ofcourse the government, to stand by them and to see that they get all the facilities, that they are not deprived of their entitlements as well as the citizens of this country. We are now a 65-year-old independent country with a very old civilisation. Why should people have to stand here and come in a position just to demand their minimum rights?" he said.
This year, the theme of the International Disability Day is 'removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all'. The rally was organised by Paschimbanga Rajya Pratibandhi support of specially abled people.
They demand that every disable person should be issued an identity card for concession in Bus and Train Fares, listing in BPL card list and should be treated with proper respect and dignity in society. (ANI)
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