Differently abled in Madurai getting a better deal : India

GOOD BEGINNING: Noted Tamil scholar and orator K. Gnanasambandan giving appointment order to a differently abled woman during the job fair conducted in Madurai. Photos: R. Ashok / The Hindu
GOOD BEGINNING: Noted Tamil scholar and orator K. Gnanasambandan giving appointment order to a differently abled woman during the job fair conducted in Madurai. Photos: R. Ashok / The Hindu

Rotary’s initiative to start a job portal brings hope

Madurai, Tamil Nadu :

In a novel and innovative initiative, Rotary Club of Madurai Metro has joined hands with Devadoss Multi-speciality Hospital to establish an exclusive job portal for the differently abled persons.

Launching the portal, ‘Thiran,’www.thiran.co, here on Saturday, speakers lauded the project as it would not only empower the differently abled persons to join the mainstream but also signal that society cared for them.

The idea is to create a platform online, which may benefit the differently abled and entrepreneurs in and around Madurai.

PortalSAM23may2016

About a few months back, when a few Rotarians met under the leadership of club president D. Gunasekar on the World Disability Day, they were inclined to do something good for the less fortunate people. Discussing various aspects, they finally drew up a plan to help the needy in such a manner that it would have a long-standing impact. Thus, evolved the website in which the differently abled can post their resume.

To make it a long-term programme, the portal would be a self-sustaining model wherein the companies would pay for registration. The companies could post their requirement or sort the list of job applications according to their preference, Mr. Gunasekar noted.

“We expect to make about 1,000 job request applications from various types of differently abled persons over a period of one year,” Mr. Gunasekar added.

There were 24 lakh differently abled persons in Tamil Nadu and Madurai accounted for 17,000, said P. Simmachandran, State president of Tamil Nadu Differently Abled Welfare Association. “The government cannot give jobs for all. Depending on employment exchanges may be a long wait. Such an initiative by Rotary International and Devadoss Hospitals would go a long way in improving the standard of living of these people,” he noted.

Just because a person was physically challenged, he or she should not be discarded or they should not get an impression that they were less worthy in society. Instead, when they were encouraged to do whatever they could, they would bounce back with great ideas, said noted Tamil scholar G. Gnanasambandan.

“A visually challenged may not have eyes to see, but may have vision (in mind) and ability (in heart) to rise up,” he noted. Quoting a number of iconic personalities such as Helen Keller, who set a model despite their deficiencies, he said that the yeomen services of Rotary Clubs had received accolades globally.

In India, the Rotary spearheaded the Pulse Polio campaign, which had not only eradicated polio but also created an impact as it turned into a people’s movement, he said. Likewise, when unemployed differently abled persons were provided jobs they would contribute their mite to society and thus the stigma might vanish.

Skilled persons

Mr. Gunasekar said that already a few hundreds had accessed the site and a little over 100 had applied online. Many enquiries were also coming in from companies in and around Madurai, which included hospitals, textile showrooms, hotels and small-scale industries.

There are B.E degree holders, persons with Ph.D and B.Ed, and a number of applicants with work experience in call centres waiting to get recruited.

Many differently abled persons had utilised the government schemes to pursue school and higher education. However, when they completed their academic programme, there were not jobs for everyone. As a result, the unemployment made them frustrated. Some were even depressed or dejected and required psychological support, Satish Devadoss, Medical Director, Devadoss Hospitals, said.

There are a number of issues to be looked into during the pre-appointment of such people. The employer should provide user-friendly toilet facilities and ramps, among others.

At the inaugural function, selected candidates were given offer letters in the presence of Devadoss Hospitals Chairman A. Devadoss, a veteran orthopaedic surgeon, who has been a guiding force in changing lives of the differently abled persons.

Expressing happiness, K. Anitha, a differently abled girl who has a BCA degree, said, “Providing job portal is a great move. I have a good knowledge of computer operations. I am eagerly waiting to join Devadoss Hospitals as billing assistant,” she noted.

A small beginning worth appreciating for the people of Madurai.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Madurai / by L. Srikrishna / Madurai – May 23rd, 2016

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