Will work for special kids: Rana Sodhi

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 19

The Punjab Government would work for the well-being of children with disabilities such as the down syndrome, said Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs and NRI affairs, Punjab, here today.

He was here as the chief guest at the 3rd edition of the India International Down Syndrome Conference.

Sodhi said he felt privileged to be a part of such an emotional conference and it was need of the hour that these children are treated specially. He said he would speak to the Punjab Chief Minister to support them and give them special facilities. “These children need to be given confidence and all states should work towards it. They should be given admission in schools so that they can grow in the general environment. We will help them, not only financially but also socially by treating them equally in all spheres, including sports,” he said, adding that the state governments should partner with NGOs to support them.

The conference, being held from September 19 to 21, will bring stakeholders related to the Down syndrome together.

Dr Bhavani Sriram, a paediatrician from Singapore who has opened the first Down syndrome clinic at Singapore, will be the key speaker on the second day.

On the last day, there will be sessions by international speakers, including the president of the Down Syndrome Association of Mongolia. Medical specialists from across the country will be present. The Doman method is one of the most famous methods for assisting and aiding persons with intellectual disability. Promoters of the Doman method — Spencer Doman and Jagjit Kaur — will talk to parents.