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SILF celebrates Anti-Leprosy Day
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30th January, 2009
Chief Minster of Delhi’s Residence
On the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s death (Jan 30th, 2009), Sasakawa-India
Leprosy Foundation (SILF) celebrated Anti Leprosy Day in remembrance of
his selfless care for people affected by leprosy.
The event, held at Mrs. Sheila Dikshit’s (Hon’ble Chief Minister of
Delhi) residence, was organized to not only celebrate the day but to
present a platform for people from leprosy colonies to interact with
people from mainstream society like schools & university students, the
media, designers, NGOs and professionals to share facts and views about
leprosy and the people affected by it.
At the event, Mrs. Dikshit (Chief Minister of Delhi) was the Chief
Guest; Dr. Kiran Walia (Minister of State for Health), the Guest of
Honour and Mr. Veer Singh Dhingan (MLA), the Special Guest.
The event started with the song “Swagatam”, sung by children from
leprosy families, followed by the songs on inclusion “Ek hi toh hai hum
aur tum” (We are infact, alike, you and me) and “Tum bhi saath
chaloge” (You too Walk with us), sung by students of Indian School,
New Delhi.
Mrs. Dikshit released the Just Like Us T-shirts, to emphasize
that people affected by leprosy are just like you and me - just like
us; and that there is no need to discriminate against them and treat
them as untouchables. The CM herself demonstrated this, by wearing a
cape woven by people affected by leprosy showing there is no need to be
afraid of interaction or contact with people affected by leprosy, or
touch products made by them.
The occasion was also used by the CM to announce an increase in pension
of people affected by leprosy from Rs.1000 per month to Rs.1800 per
month, mobilized by the National Forum (an organization of the people
affected by leprosy) and the help of Mr. Dhingan.
“The secret wounds of Jatin”, a street play, was performed by the
“Asmita” group in which some children from the colonies also
participated, depicted the discrimination faced by Jatin, affected by
leprosy, his fight against this, and his ultimate success in standing on
his own feet and gradually becoming part of society.
Appreciating the street play, Ms. Kiran Walia encouraged the
participants to pledge “to not to force people affected by leprosy and
their families to beg and support the education of their children”. She
also mentioned that street plays should be used as a medium to spread
awareness about leprosy and the need to work towards prevention of the
disease, as the drugs are available for cure. She also stressed on the
requirement of taking these plays to the schools, colleges and
universities for mass awareness.
The occasion turned to be a learning experience for the participants
about leprosy and issues surrounding it. However the lack of awareness
of it amongst them reveals that extensive work needs to be done among
all sections of society to create awareness about leprosy and fight the
stigma based on it.
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