DISTRIBUTION OF LIGHT WEIGHT CALLIPERS

Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam will distribute light-weight callipers to 75 people, including 36 women, on Sunday at K.A.P. Viswanatham Higher Secondary School.

Over 150 people with physical disability were screened at a camp conducted last month and 66 people from Tiruchi and nine from Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Ariyalur and Perambalur were identified as beneficiaries.

Orthopaedic surgeons V. J. Senthil from GVN Hospital and Tirunelveli-based Francis Roy assessed the degree of disabilities at the camp.

The callipers, jointly fabricated by Ministry of Defence and Nizam’s Institute of Medical Science, Hyderabad, have been sourced from Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India, Kanpur.

Addressing presspersons here on Saturday, V. Jayapal, Chairman of GVN Hospital, said officials at District Disabled Rehabilitation Office were trained to assemble the parts of callipers of different measurements in accordance with the individual needs. Ninety-one callipers have been assembled at the office, said the District Disabled Rehabilitation Officer R. Shyamala. Lions Club of Thanjavur Victory, Srirangam, Kadayanallur Golden Breeze and Courtalam Victory will distribute sports shoes to the beneficiaries.