PRESS RELEASE
Srinagar, August 4: Voluntary Medicare Society (VMS), in collaboration with EnAble India and the University of Kashmir, today inaugurated a 10-Day Deafhood Workshop and Foundation Course for Persons with Visual Impairment at its Bemina campus. The programme was formally inaugurated by Shri Akshay Labroo, IAS, District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, who attended as the Chief Guest.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by Prof. (Dr.) Mir Mohammad Maqbool, President, Voluntary Medicare Society; Prof. Seema Singh, Dean, Students’ Welfare, University of Kashmir; Mr. Alfred Thomas, IAS (Probationer); Prof. Masooda Yasin, Vice President, Voluntary Medicare Society; Dr. Farooq A. Kaloo, Secretary, Voluntary Medicare Society; and Dr. Alim Chandani, Mission Leader, Hear A Million, EnAble India, as Special Guests.
Among the other distinguished dignitaries present were Prof. Amina Parveen, Head, Department of Education, University of Kashmir; Mr. Shaheel Mohammad, Coordinator, Special Cell, University of Kashmir; Mr. Mohammad Sultan, Counsellor, Special Cell, University of Kashmir; Mr. Amal, Mr. Tushar, and Ms. Surbhi from Hear A Million, EnAble India; Dr. Tahir Sajad, Chief Medical Officer, Srinagar; Shri Mir Imtiyaz-ul-Aziz (JKAS), Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar; Shri Mohammad Yousuf, District Social Welfare Officer, Srinagar; Shri Fayaz Ahmad Dar, Chief Planning Officer, DC Office Srinagar; Mr. Rayees Abdullah, Tehsildar Central, Srinagar; and Shri Irfan Bahadur (JKAS), Sub-Divisional Magistrate, West Srinagar.
The programme commenced with a guided tour of the VMS campus, during which the Chief Guest and accompanying dignitaries visited various rehabilitation, education, therapy, and vocational units. They interacted with students, beneficiaries, and staff members and later inaugurated the Foundation Course at the Parivartan Centre.
The formal function began with a welcome address by Prof. (Dr.) Mir Mohammad Maqbool, President, Voluntary Medicare Society, who highlighted VMS’s five-decade-long journey of serving persons with disabilities. He emphasized the importance of collaborative partnerships in strengthening inclusive rehabilitation, education, and community-based support systems.
Welcoming the distinguished guests, Prof. Masooda Yasin, Vice President, Voluntary Medicare Society, reiterated the Society’s unwavering commitment to creating equal opportunities for persons with disabilities through innovation, collaboration, and inclusive practices. She expressed her sincere gratitude to the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, Prof. Nilofar Khan, for signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with VMS and for fostering meaningful collaboration in advancing inclusive education and capacity-building initiatives.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Alim Chandani, Mission Leader, Hear A Million, EnAble India, appreciated the longstanding partnership between EnAble India and VMS. He briefed the audience about the #HearAMillion initiative and reaffirmed EnAble India’s commitment to supporting programmes that promote accessibility, inclusion, and the empowerment of persons with disabilities through innovation and technology.
Prof. Seema Singh, Dean, Students’ Welfare, University of Kashmir, lauded the collaboration among the University of Kashmir, Voluntary Medicare Society, and EnAble India. She assured the University’s continued academic support in promoting inclusive education, research, and capacity-building initiatives for persons with disabilities.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Akshay Labroo, IAS, District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, commended Voluntary Medicare Society for its remarkable contribution towards the rehabilitation, education, and empowerment of persons with disabilities over the past five decades. He appreciated the dedication and commitment of the organisation and acknowledged its valuable partnership with EnAble India in introducing innovative and technology-driven interventions for persons with disabilities.
The Deputy Commissioner assured full support from the District Administration in addressing the needs and aspirations of persons with disabilities. He advised VMS to submit a comprehensive proposal—building upon the proposal already submitted to the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir—highlighting priority requirements so that they could be actively pursued with the concerned government departments. He further emphasized the need to strengthen accessibility infrastructure, improve inter-departmental coordination, expand support services for children with hearing and speech impairments, enhance opportunities for higher education for persons with disabilities, and facilitate developmental works in accordance with government norms. He also directed the Chief Planning Officer to explore the necessary modalities for the macadamization of the internal roads within the VMS campus.
On the occasion, AI-enabled assistive devices were distributed among students with visual impairment, symbolizing the collective commitment of VMS, EnAble India, and their partners towards leveraging technology to promote independence, accessibility, and inclusion.
The programme concluded with the felicitation of the Chief Guest and other distinguished guests. Dr. Farooq A. Kaloo, Secretary, Voluntary Medicare Society, presented the vote of thanks, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the District Administration Srinagar, the University of Kashmir, EnAble India, other partner organisations, participants, volunteers, and all stakeholders for their continued support in promoting an inclusive and accessible society.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from senior government officials, academicians, rehabilitation professionals, representatives of partner organisations, students, parents, and members of civil society, reaffirming a shared commitment to advancing the rights, education, dignity, and empowerment of persons with disabilities across Jammu & Kashmir.
