Umang festival concludes

SEPPA, May 13:  Umang Festival, an initiative to provide a platform to the differently-abled people for social interaction and also to create awareness on issues faced by them, concluded in a positive note here on Saturday with an impressive closing ceremony.

The seven-day long event was marked by food festival, games and sports competitions, and cultural extravaganza which were all organized by the All East Kameng Handicapped Welfare Society (EKHWS).

East Kameng DRDA project director Dahey Sangno who participated in the valedictory function as chief guest in his address, called upon the people with disabilities to come out of their self-created cocoon of diffidence and start living life of that like any other normal persons.

While discouraging the use of terms like ‘handicapped’ and ‘disabled’, Sangno articulated that the real handicapped people those who were immoral, criminals and living with low self-esteem. Quoting Stephen Hawking, he suggested the physically challenged community to focus on their strengths and pursue excellence in creative arts, music and business.  

Promising to volunteer in the organizing the Umang Festival next year, Sangno further exhorted the people of the district to come forward and support the differently able people.

“They need your support, not hollowed sympathy. Instead of creating clan-based society to suppress others, why shouldn’t we have societies for voluntary action in enabling, skilling and empowerment of differently-able people,” he questioned the so-called ‘able’ people.

Later on, Sangno along with and BJP Minority Morcha president Loku Sono who was present as the guest gave away the prizes to the winners of cultural and sports event.