Associated News Bureau

LG Assures Enhanced Support for Para Sports, Divyangjan Welfare During Visit to Voluntary Medicare Society

Srinagar, July 22: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday reaffirmed the Jammu and Kashmir Administration's commitment to strengthening the welfare, rehabilitation and sporting ecosystem for Divyangjan (Persons with Disabilities) during a visit to the Voluntary Medicare Society (VMS), a pioneering institution serving persons with disabilities across Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh for more than five decades. During the visit, the Lieutenant Governor held detailed interactions with VMS officials and para athletes on measures aimed at ensuring holistic empowerment, rehabilitation and promotion of adaptive sports for specially-abled individuals in the Union Territory. The VMS leadership, led by its Founder and President Dr. Mir Mohammad Maqbool and Vice President Prof. Masooda Yasin, highlighted the need for creating a robust and structured adaptive sports ecosystem. They urged the administration to establish a Jammu and Kashmir Para Sports Association to identify and nurture talent from the district level to international competitions, develop a dedicated indoor para sports hall, and provide advanced facilities, including robotic physiotherapy equipment, healthcare and skill development infrastructure, specialised sports wheelchairs, modern training equipment, coaching camps, exposure programmes and travel assistance for para athletes. Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, remains committed to ensuring equal opportunities and comprehensive empowerment for Divyangjan. He noted that para athletes from Jammu and Kashmir have earned national and international recognition in recent years and assured that the administration would continue to strengthen world-class infrastructure and institutional support to help specially-abled youth realise their full potential. The Lieutenant Governor also praised the Voluntary Medicare Society for its outstanding contribution towards the welfare of persons with disabilities and acknowledged the dedication of its management, staff and volunteers in transforming countless lives through healthcare, education, livelihood support and community inclusion. During his visit, Shri Sinha toured the rehabilitation units, wards and other facilities of the institution and interacted with children with special needs. He described the Society's work as an inspiring example of compassionate public service and appreciated the leadership of Dr. Mir Mohammad Maqbool and the entire VMS team for their sustained efforts. Among those present on the occasion were Dr. Mir Mohammad Maqbool, Prof. Masooda Yasin, Secretary Dr. Farooq Ahmad Kaloo, Executive Board Member Er. Majid Ahmad Bala, along with coaches, trainers, staff and office bearers of the Society. Senior officials accompanying the Lieutenant Governor included SSP Srinagar Dr. G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo and other officers.