Punjab Governor inaugurates lab at Patiala school for children with special needs

Governor Gulab Chand Kataria during his visit at Punjabi University dedicated a “Dark Room Lab” to children with special needs and intellectual disabilities at Vani School for Hearing Impaired.

This lab was set up by the Child Welfare Council, Punjab. Kataria urged attendees to invest in building the character of children, saying, “The society can be uplifted only by improving the lives of children with special needs.”

He said that the lab, built with a special fund of Rs 20 lakh that he provided, will play a vital role in helping children with intellectual disabilities live normal lives and address issues with aggressive behaviour.

The Governor invited the public and social workers to join the Child Welfare Council, which has been working for the welfare of children since 1962. He said that if the hidden talent of such children is identified and brought forward, they can make constructive contributions towards society.

He praised Deputy Commissioner Dr. Preeti Yadav and the teachers of Vani School in Patiala for their guidance in working for the welfare of such children.

Kataria also praised the state government’s “War Against Drugs” campaign in Punjab. He said that while Punjabis have sacrificed for the country’s freedom and contributed significantly to its food security, they must now step forward to eliminate the drug menace.

Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh formally welcomed Kataria, saying the state government was making special efforts for the welfare of children with special needs and to help them develop on par with other sections of society.

Meanwhile, Dr Pritam Sandhu, Secretary of the Punjab Child Welfare Council, shared information about the Council’s initiatives, including the Vani School.

During the ceremony, the school’s special students also performed a cultural programmre that was appreciated by the Governor. ADC. Isha Singal, SDM. Kirpalvir Singh, Vani School Principal Sukhchain Virk, a member of the technical committee that built the Dark Room, and a large number of students and their parents were also present on the occasion.