Nearly 500 disabled persons today gathered on the occasion of World Disabled Day at Rani Rashmani Avenue at Esplanade, Kolkata under Pashchimbanga Pratibandhi Aikya Mancha, a joint forum of various disability organisations in the state. A number of orthopaedically and visually challenged persons took part in today’s sit-in demonstration. A few speech and hearing impaired persons were also present. They also spoke on this occasion with the hjelp of sign language interpreters.

the speakers urged all disabled persons to boycott the state-sponsored celebration of the World Disabled Day today. Among the 15 demands were inclusion of all disabled persons in the BPL category, establishment of adequate number of special schools for disabled children, increase of disability pension and so on. There were showers during the programme, it did not discourage the spirit of the participants though.