For the disabled, by the disabled

BANGALORE: For the very first time, a person with disability has been appointed as the chief commissioner for Persons with Disabilities in the country. Prasanna Kumar Pincha, who is visually challenged since birth, was excited when the state branch of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) felicitated him.“I am here to review the non-implementation of the Disabilities Act in Karnataka. All the concerns of people will be taken care of,” said Pincha. The chief commissioner, who is in the city to meet politicos and people from the physically-challenged community, highlighted his list of priorities for the welfare of his community.  “I am not a politician to make big promises. I am aware of the dimension of all demands and needs that can be fulfilled. I won’t leave any stone unturned,” he said. On his first day in the city, the chief commissioner held a meeting with the principle secretary of Women and Child Development Department, followed by meetings with various departments. “I have met the Chief Secretary of Karnataka and he has been very cooperative. I am trying to get a backlog of vacancies in Karnataka since 1996,” he mentioned. Inspiring the large set of audiences gathered at the felicitation ceremony, Pincha pointed out the various aspects he would raise at the centre.  “The only thing that I ask of all my people, don’t demonise the government always. Let’s be sensitive towards the government. We should cooperate where we can and resist where we should,” he advised.