Camp for the Physically Disadvantaged – Institute of Jainology

The Raj Saubhag Satsang Mandal of Sayla sponsored a Camp on 18^th/ 19^th December 2008 in Bhuj, Kutch, to distribute equipment and accessories for physically challenged people. The Camp was conducted by the Ashirwad Trust for the Disabled (ATD), a trust jointly managed by the Blind Peoples Association, Ahmdabad and the Raj Saubhag Satsang Mandal. Finance for the camp was provided by The Mahavir Trust, London.

Prior to the Camp taking place, an extensive survey was conducted during September to November 2008, west of Bhuj, to identify who may need medical equipment and to medically assess their specific requirements. The survey was indeed far-reaching, with remote villages as far as 180 kms away were visited.

PHOTO GALLERY

Param Pujya Bhaishree Lighting the Divo along with a a disadvantaged child

Disability Comes in All Sizes & Shapes

Tricycles

C P Chairs

Crutches

Prosthetic Limbs

Artificial Feet & An Arm

One of the First Beneficiaries

Some of the young beneficiaries

Some of the other Beneficiaries

Those who carried out the Survey Work

The Camp was held at the Kutch Comprehensive Rehabilitation Centre. This is the Blind Peoples Association’s operational centre for Kutch and is very well-equipped to fit prosthetic limbs according to the individuals requirements. The BPA have in recent years refined the design of the Jaipur foot to ensure it is more comfortable, has a flexible foot, is adjustable and repairable. These limbs do cost significantly more however they are a longer-lasting and more comfortable limb. There were 876 beneficiaries attending the Camp over the two day period. These people came with their families and, the KCRC had the pleasure of offering over 2500 meals to cater for everyone!

As well as prosthetic limbs, other equipment distributed included CP chairs, rolletors, tricycles, wheelchairs, prosthetic limbs, variety of splints, crutches, walking sticks, walkers, hearing aids, white canes and surgical shoes.

The Camp was formally opened by the Spiritual Head of the Raj Saubhag Satsang Mandal, Shri Nalinbhai Kothari (Pujya Bhaishree). He was accompanied by Shri Vikrambhai Shah and several Trustees from the Raj Saubhag. Shri Girishbhai J Shah of Samast Mahajan and the Institute of Jainology was represented by Dr Harshadbhai Sanghrajka and Shri Jaysukhbhai Mehta. Smt Nandiniben Munshaw and Smt Sunitaben, the respective Secretary and Treasurer of the BPA also attended the Camp. Several local dignitaries were also present.

Pujya Bhaishree performed the opening ceremony by lighting a lamp, which he did with other guests and a beneficiary of the Camp. In his address, he outlined briefly the humanitarian activities being undertaken by Raj Saubhag including the running of a modern Centre for the rehabilitation of physically disadvantaged children and a project to increase the literacy levels of over 30,000 children in primary schools in Sayla Taluka.

He thanked the beneficiaries of the camp to have been given such the wonderful opportunity of serving them. He added that whilst the beneficiaries were physically disadvantaged, they harboured potential talent that would, given the opportunity, flower in to providing themselves with a better quality life and the chance to contribute to their own families. He wished them well.

Shri Rambhai Jadav, the General Manager of ATD and the Project Manager for the Camp, appreciating the generosity of the donors said that the medical assessments were undertaken without any distinction of creed, caste or religion and anyone deserving to benefit was given the full opportunity. This was ATD’s 7^th field camp and he was proud that to date over 6,000 physically disadvantaged people have been given a better life to look forward to.