ITANAGAR, Oct 13: There was a massive turn out for ‘Blind Walk’ on Thursday to raise awareness on issues faced by visually impaired. The Itanagar Blind Walk was organized by National Programe for Control of Blindness in collaboration with Indian Medical Association and Arunachal Pradesh Doctors’ Association with theme, ‘Stronger Together’ which was supported by various NGOs including the schools and the colleges to mark the World Sight Day.
The blindfolded participants started walking from Legi Complex that culminated at Siddhartha Hall. Participating at the event, Health and Family Welfare Minister Jomde Kena said that state government would try to create awareness among people to respect and treat visually impaired people as equals.
Lauding the event organisers, the Minister exhorted that more NGOs should come forward to work for the welfare of visually impaired persons.
Director Health Service Dr. Moji Jini stated that participating in the walk made him understand what difficulties the visually impaired are facing every day as he called for equal treatment of those who have lost their sights.
RK Mission Hospital Secretary Swami Vishwananada also stressed on importance of creating awareness to treat visually impaired people as equals.
RK Mission Hospital Ophthalmologist Dr. Lobsang Tsetim disclosed that India has 1.5 million blindness cases, out of which 33 thousands cases are in Arunachal Pradesh alone according to survey report. He said that visually impaired people are often ignored.
He further urged the participants to take pledge for eye donation.
To encourage the visually impaired children, Assistant Professor DNGC Department of Hindi Tumbom Riba Jomoh who is also pro-active social worker recited a poetry titled, “Badaon Per Vijay”(Ability Beyond Disability). Various cultural programe including skit play were displayed to mark the occasion. National Health Mission, Mission Director PN Thungon, former Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women Chairperson Jarjum Ete and former NESO, General Secretary, Gumjum Haider were among others who were present during the programe.

Source: http://www.arunachaltimes.in/hundreds-join-blind-walk-to-raise-awareness-on-world-sight-day/