SHILLONG:
A group of physically challenged people have taken up the unequalled objective of raising awareness through a bike ride across 2500 miles in 10 days thanks to their exceptional dedication and perseverance. Their goal is to encourage accessibility for individuals like themselves by removing barriers from the environment and granting people with disabilities comfortable access to public spaces and facilities.
Chief guest CP Marak, IFS (retd.), Member, Meghalaya State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission from the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), flagged off the ride in the presence of USTM Chancellor Mahbubul Hoque, officials, students and several office bearers of All Axom Divyanga Development Association.
With support from the ‘I Can I Will Academy’ of USTM, an academy for the physically challenged talents, the ride is undertaken by six physically challenged persons by three retro-fitted scooty with pillion facility. The ride will cover 2500 kms connecting 28 districts of Assam in 10 days. The riders are Samsul Haque, Amir Ali and Saidul Bhuyan while Upama Bezbaruah, Abdul Haque and Mrigangka Das will be in pillion.
The team will depart from Khanapara Veterinary Field on October 30 morning and will ride through South Salmara, Barpeta, Tezpur, Dhakuwakhana, Tinsukia, Sivasagar, Hojai, Maibong and will reach Guwahati on November 8.
Speaking on the occasion, Mahbubul Hoque said, “The ‘I Can I will Academy’ of USTM is for the specially abled talents of the region. Under the outreach initiative of the University, this Academy is supporting this Accessible Awareness Ride which is in the tune of the Government of India’s Accessible India Campaign”.
He added that inclusivity and equality for all is a mission of USTM and in the I Can I Will Academy, such physically challenged persons can get education and skill training for their development.
Marak added that the objective is to increase awareness for accessibility in government buildings and provision of features such as staircases, ramps, double height handrails, tactile paths in corridors, wide entry gates, reserved parking and disabled friendly toilets, accessible elevators, among others need to be made.
Public-centric buildings like schools, hospitals, police stations, courts, tourist places are the focus areas. Spreading awareness of disability is important because it teaches people how it affects people’s lives and how one can help someone with a disability. It may be mentioned that the Government of India enacted the Rights for Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 which came into force from April 2017.