Chandigarh, August 13:- Adding new milestones to the efficient social welfare network and infrastructure development in Union Territory with the inauguration of AASHADEEP – a Regional Institute for the Mentally Challenged Children, 66 KV Sub Station, Sector 56, launching The Maintenance & Welfare of Parents & Senior Citizens Act – 2007 by the Punjab Governor and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh, General (Ret.) Dr. S.F. Rodrigues, PVSM VSM, the people of City Beautiful were urged by him at a ‘Wah Chandigarh’ conclave to take a hard look on the realities and to mould their mindset & attitudes to be caring and compassionate citizens for developing the potential of needy people to make them contributing members of society.
Starting his whirlwind tour along with Mrs. Jean Rodrigues, the Administrator first inaugurated a novel project, first of its kind in the Country AASHADEEP in Sector 46 constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 5.5 crores on an area of 8.5 acres to accommodate 1000 Mentally Challenged Children. About 300 children have been accommodated in the first phase of this project which has been equipped with state-of-the-art facilities of special education, vocational training, therapeutic intervention and research programme. Once the whole project is functional, the Institute will provide comprehensive training and education to around 1000 Mentally Challenged children along with Diagnosis and Medical care to children with Mental Retardation, Autism, Cerebral Palsy and children with Multiple Disabilities at OPD level. Genetic screening and counseling will be made available for prevention of various disabilities. Vocational Training and Job Placement will also be provided in a sheltered environment. The Institute will further carry out research in the areas of mental retardation for early detection and prevention of disability. The Center will have a special provision of 60 beds for destitute patients.
With a view to stabilizing Power Supply in the Southern Sector, General Rodrigues inaugurated 66 KV Sub Station in Sector 56. Constructed at a cost of Rs. 13.98 crores. This project will meet the load requirement of upcoming Sectors -53, 54, 55, 56, Grain Market Sec 39, Housing Project behind Village Maloya, Modern Technical Market & to meet with the increasing load demand of existing Sectors 40, 41, 42 and Maloya, Palsora and Housing Complexes of Chandigarh Housing Board. The commissioning of this Substation will also reduce the load on existing 66 KV S/Stns. at Sector -52 and Sector-39. The work for erection and commissioning of the Sub- station has been carried out by BBMB. He told the Engineers to explore the possibilities of a solar power system to supplement the increasing demand.
Followed by these programmes, the Administrator launched the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Rules – 2007 at Senior Citizens Home in Sector 43 which has revolutionary provisions for the maintenance and welfare of parents and giving a boost to the culture of caring and love by children towards their ‘Dada & Dadi’. During an interaction with the Senior Citizens, the Administrator told them to approach SDM of their area about any problem or neglect being faced from the family members which will result in immediate redressal. He also assured them of his own availability at any time, in case of no response to their call by the concerned officers.
Later, General Rodrigues in his special Eye opener Address on the theme ‘Wah Chandigarh’ at CII gave an elaborate blueprint of the sincere and committed efforts by the UT Administration for adding new dimensions of caring and compassion in the ‘city beautiful’, through practical and action-oriented approach. Elaborating his view point, he said that the focus was on making the City a regional Hub for socio-economic development and improvement by strengthening education, health, social welfare, IT and empowering our disadvantaged people especially women by equipping them with professional skills. He stressed that we cannot create the India of our dreams till we upgrade the civic life and potential of the 300 million people living below poverty line. He referred to Slum Rehabilitation programme, Education City, Medicity, Aashreya, Home-cum- Vocational Center for Street Children, Home for Crippled Persons and Mentally Retarded Children. He made it clear that all these programmes have been processed in a transparent and open manner with the participation of experts and professionals in the larger interests of society, based on the concept papers for the region, after broad-based consultation with the experts and after its clearance by the Advisory Council. He said that the Partnership Initiative Programme launched recently has attracted a wonderful response, with over 250 NGOs on board. He appealed to the Industrial Community and the giants of incorporate sector to join in all these societal endeavours which in a real sense pave the way for achieving the goal of ‘Wah Chandigarh’.
General Rodrigues honoured three eminent persons for their contribution in making the name of Chandigarh shine on the global Map including Shri Nek Chand, Creator of Rock Garden, Shri D.P. Azad, eminent Cricketer and Shri Jaspal Bhatti, Satirist and Actor.
Mr. Harpal Singh, in his welcome address gave a brief about the discussion by experts in the ‘Wah Chandigarh’ conclave.
The Senior officers who were present during these functions included Mr. M.P. Singh, Secretary to Governor, Mr. Ram Niwas, Home Secretary, Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Finance Secretary, Chief Engineer, Mr Surinder Pal.