Bhubaneswar: In an inhumane incident, a differently-abled child was found abandoned on the roadside near the IDCO Stadium in Mancheswar Industrial Estate area of Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
The 14 to 15 years old child is suspected to be abandoned by his parents. On getting information, CHILDLINE rescued him with the help of PCR police. After being produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), he was sent to Ruchika Open Shelter.
CEO of Ruchika Social Service Organisation and CHILDLINE Director Benudhar Senapati informed the child is suffering from cerebral palsy. He has been provided with food and his condition is stable.
After providing him with proper medical treatment, steps will be taken with the help of the police to trace his parents or family members.
Senapati said that similar incidents have occurred in the past and many calls have been received by the CHILDLINE. Most of the time, parents are abandoning their disabled children on the roadside or on trains.
Such disabled children are found indulged in begging in Puri and Bhubaneswar. Those suffering from cerebral palsy or multiple disabilities are lying abandoned on the road depending on the pity of others. Many of them are losing their lives by living in adverse conditions.
Senapati urged the parents to keep the disabled children safe in their houses and also asked the government to look into this.
Disability rights activist Jitendra Biswal said that there is a need for sensitization in society. There are many facilities provided by the Government for differently-abled children. They are in no way inferior to others.
People think that a disabled child is a curse. While there are various provisions for such children, the parents are not aware of them. It is the work of the government to sensitize people.
The message should reach the parents of such children so that they will not abandon them. Parents should also focus more on the ability of their child, rather than the disability, and become an example in society.
