Srinagar, Jul 22: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday visited the Voluntary Medicare Society (VMS), which has been tirelessly serving Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) across Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh for over five decades through healthcare, education, livelihood, and community inclusion, and held key discussions with officials and Para Athletes regarding holistic empowerment, rehabilitation, and sports development for Divyangjan.
The VMS office bearers, led by President/Founder Dr Mir Mohammad Maqbool and Vice President Prof Masooda Yasin, urged the Lieutenant Governor to build a robust and structured ecosystem for adaptive sports.
Key initiatives deliberated included robotic appliances for physiotherapy, healthcare and skill development facilities, setting up a J&K Para Sports Association to facilitate talent from district level up to international competitions, developing an Indoor Para Sports Hall for accessible year-round training and rehabilitation, and addressing core athlete needs including specialised sports wheelchairs, modern equipment, coaching camps, exposure programs, and travel assistance.
The Lieutenant Governor said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister 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 and 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,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor lauded the extraordinary dedication and selfless service of the entire team of Voluntary Medicare Society and the organisations associated with the society for transforming countless lives. He toured rehabilitation units, wards, and other facilities, interacting with children with special needs.
“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,” he said.
Dr Mir Mohammad Maqbool (President/Founder), Prof Masooda Yasin (Vice President), Dr Farooq Ahmad Kaloo (Secretary), Er. Majid Ahmad Bala (Executive Board Member), staff, coaches, trainers, and other office bearers of the Society were present. SSP Srinagar Dr G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo, and senior officers also accompanied the Lieutenant Governor.
