Port Blair, Dec. 3: In a function organized by the State Cooperative Bank, Prothrapur Branch today on the occasion of the ‘World Disabled Day’, as many as eleven physically challenged persons were felicitated. Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Vice Chairman of the Bank graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

At the outset the Managing Director, ANS Coop. Bank Shri Ravinder Rao welcomed the gathering and stated that, this is the first time in the history of Cooperative Bank in A&N Islands that ‘World Disabled Day’ is being organized to honour the disabled persons of the area. The Bank has thus proposed to mark it as a calendar event. Rao further stated that this programme is the brain child of Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma who has inspired the bank officials to organize such programmes.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma said that these disabled persons should never think themselves as inferior in any respect as they are very important part of the society who show the world about their courage to lead a happy life like others. Sharma further said that that apart from introducing pension card for door to door delivery of pension amount to the Handicapped, widow and old age, he has plans to send Doctors from April, 2012 who will attend the elderly persons at their door steps and give free medical services.

He also informed that a scheme of sending Nurses on getting calls from the hapless persons to get their blood and other samples for further investigation is on the anvil. He also called upon the handicapped persons to avail loan from the bank as per their need to make them self sufficient. Sharma explained that that for a loan upto 25,000/- no security will be asked.

Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were S/Shri Ghyas Meshak, Mohd Ali, Smti Tamilarasi, Sanjay Meshak, Chandrashekhar, Madan Lall and Smti Madhu. The vote of thanks was proposed by Shri K Murgan, General Manger of the bank.