Srinagar, July 22 : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday visited the Voluntary Medicare Society (VMS) here, a premier institution that has been serving Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) across Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh for over five decades through healthcare, education, livelihood, and community inclusion.
During his visit, the Lt Governor held extensive discussions with the Society’s officials and Para Athletes regarding the holistic empowerment, rehabilitation, and sports development for Divyangjan across the Union Territory and Ladakh. He also toured the rehabilitation units, wards, and other facilities, interacting with children with special needs.
The VMS office bearers, including its President/Founder Dr. Mir Mohammad Maqbool and Vice President Prof Masooda Yasin, urged the Lt Governor for the creation of a robust and structured ecosystem for adaptive sports. Key initiatives deliberated upon included the provision of robotic appliances for physiotherapy, healthcare and skill development facilities, and the establishment of a J&K Para Sports Association to facilitate talent from the district level up to international competitions. They also demanded an Indoor Para Sports Hall to ensure an accessible, all-weather environment for year-round training and rehabilitation, along with specialized sports wheelchairs, modern equipment, coaching camps, exposure programs, and travel assistance for core athlete needs.
The Lt Governor said that under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of India remains steadfast in its mission to uplift Divyangjan and ensure equal opportunities for all.
“In recent years, para-athletes from Jammu Kashmir have brought immense pride to the region on national and global stages. The administration reaffirms its commitment to providing world-class infrastructure and support to nurture the potential of UT’s specially-abled youth,” the Lt Governor said.
Lauding the extraordinary dedication and selfless service of the entire team of VMS, the Lt Governor remarked, “Whenever meaningful social change occurs, it is driven by passionate individuals like Dr. Mir Mohammad Maqbool and all those serving here. Today, I connect myself with the Voluntary Medicare Society; just as its office bearers and volunteers give their hearts to this noble cause.”
Prominent among those present on the occasion included Dr. Mir Mohammad Maqbool (President/Founder), Prof Masooda Yasin (Vice President), Dr Farooq Ahmad Kaloo (Secretary), Er. Majid Ahmad Bala (Executive Board Member), along with staff, coaches, trainers, and other office bearers of the Society.
Dr. GV Sundeep Chakravarthy, SSP Srinagar; Shri Akshay Labroo, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar; and other senior officers also accompanied the Lt Governor. (KNS)
