Minister for Women and Child Development and Udupi district in-charge Lakshmi Hebbalkar on Saturday laid the foundation stone for ‘Samarthya Vana’, a park for special and differently-abled children at the Bala Bhavana premises in Bramhagiri, Udupi.
The park aims to promote the development, enhancement, and entertainment of differently-abled children. The park is being constructed by the Women and Child Development Department, the Empowerment of the Disabled Department, and the Udupi Zilla Panchayat (ZP) at an estimated cost of ₹4.9 crore.
Ms. Hebbalkar said the department has been establishing Samarthya Societies, non-profit, semi-government, and charitable institutions to build Samarthya Parks in every district, headed by the CEOs of respective ZPs. The societies would provide comprehensive rehabilitation, therapeutic services, employment opportunities, and capacity building for independent living among differently-abled people.
A note from the department said that though the Udupi district has made progress in education and healthcare, there is a lack of public spaces for children with severe physical and intellectual disabilities to play safely. Public parks are not disability-friendly. Due to this, the differently-abled are unable to socialise with others. Samarthya Vanas, with capacity building and therapy centres, would address 21 types of disabilities of all ages.
Ms. Hebbalkar said there are 1,228 special children under the age of 15 in Udupi district, and the park will provide them with a place to spend time with their family members. Apart from this, it will have therapy swings, balance beams, musical instruments, tactile sensory pathways, and sand and water play areas. A Sensation Sensory Park will also be built.
The Minister said, “This will be a park that can be a model for the entire State and the country. It is planned to be completed in four years, but we want it to be completed and inaugurated during our term.”
Deputy Commissioner T.K. Swaroopa, ZP CEO Prateek Bayal, and others were present.