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NT Bureau
Chennai, Jan 4:

        Implementation of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995 and the proposed necessary amendments would be the main focus of the two-day conference to be held by the Tamilnadu Association for the Welfare of the Physically Handicapped at Sathya Studios at Adyar, here, from 6 January.

        Briefing reporters yesterday, association president T A P Varadakutti said Madras High Court Chief Justice A P Sha, Social Welfare Minister Dr Poongodai, Chennai Mayor M Subramanian, Member of Parliament E M Sudarsana Nachiappan and other delegates would be participating in the conference.

        'We expect about 2,500 delegates to the conference for which no registration fee would be collected and our district representatives from Sivaganga, Salem, Tirunelveli, Erode, Dharmapuri, Namakkal, Villupuram, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Thanjavur and Madurai districts would also be participating', he said.

        'We plan to recognise 10 achievers, who are living examples in proving that disability is not an impediment to achieve success in life, by presenting them 'Achievers Award' at the conference', Varadakutti said, adding that 'Udavikkaram Awards' would also be presented to four persons who had been helping the cause of disabled.

        'To highlight our demands, there would be a procession of physically challenged which would be flagged off by the Exnora International, president, M B Nirmal', he added.

        'Further we also propose to launch our website, www.udavikkaram.org at the conference,' he added.

        Association general secretary V Marudamuthu, treasurer N Ravi, vice- president, N Panchabakesan and joint general secretary K Gopinath and other office-bearers were also present at the press meet.