With a great passion and courage in their hearts and a will to change society’s perception of disability, a group of 5 Divyangjan/Wheelchair Users started their journey to Ladakh today.
The 16-Day Disability Awareness Campaign was flagged-off today by Shri Navneet Sheghal, Addl. Chief Secretary, Department of Information & PR. from La Martiniere College, Lucknow. A huge crowd gathered to see off the Expedition Team. This Expedition to Ladakh is self-Driven by Wheelchair Users/Divyangjans themselves. The Cars driven by the Wheelchair Users/Divyangjans are modified for use by Disabled Users (Lower Body Paralysed). This DriveWithAbility/चलो जीतें हम Ladakh Expedition is INDIA’s FIRST OF ITS KIND DISABILITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN. Apart from Disability Awareness/Sensitization, the motive of the campaign is to show the world that Divyangjan can achieve the same feat as their abled counterparts.
Sqn Ldr Abhai Pratap Singh (Retd.), Former Fighter Pilot of Indian Air Force and Jt. Sec. of BCCI approved Cricket Body, Differently-Abled Cricket Council Of India (DCCI) said, ‘Along the Campaign Route, we will visit the War Memorials/Museums and pay our respects to national heroes. Also, the Expedition Team will be present around Pangong Lake on 21st June 2022 and Wheelchair Users/Divyangjan will be celebrating International Day of Yoga at the height of almost 14,000 feet- which will be a record in itself.
Vijay Bisht, Former Indian Wheelchair Cricketer from Lucknow said, ‘The Complete Expedition will be recorded by a team of professional Videographers in order to make a documentary. The aim of documenting this whole expedition is to present the first of its kind of documentary to the world showcasing the grit of Wheelchair Users/Divyangjans from Uttar Pradesh and sending their stories of struggle and accomplishments to Film Festivals around the globe.
Director Jagran Institute of Management & Mass Communication (JIMMC) Prof. Dr Upendra was also present on this occasion. JIMMC is the first Institute which offers up to 50 percent scholarships to all Divyang students. Also, officers from Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Management of La Martiniere College, NCC Cadets and Officers from the Indian Army were seen Cheering-Up and motivating the Expedition Team.
The group consists of:
Sqn Ldr Abhai Pratap Singh (Retd), (President of Wheelchair Cricket India Association), Vijay Singh Bisht (Former Cricket, Indian Wheelchair Cricket Team), Somjeet Singh (Captain Indian Wheelchair Cricket Team), Suneel Mangal (Disability Activist from Kanpur), Veer Singh Sandhu (Captain Punjab Wheelchair Cricket Team)
Ravi Kant Chauhan (Member, Differently-abled Cricket Committee, BCCI).
