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"Gandhi ji said he was unwilling to come to open
leprosium but would be happy to come close it."
Mahatma Gandhi |
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"Leprosy work is not merely medical relief; it is
transforming frustration of life in to joy of dedication,
personal ambition into selfless service"
Mahatma Gandhi |
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Key Note address
: Dr. D.C.Agrawal |
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At the National Seminar
on Leprosy |
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H.E the Lt.Governor of Delhi,Municipal
commissioner Dr.Walia, Dr.Tiwari & Friends |
It is indeed a privilege and honour to be with you at
the National seminar on Leprosy and give a key note
address. In my work in this field, i have tried to study
and understand the human issues involved therein and
that is the only qualification i have to stand before
you and speak to you on this subject.
I have worked with leprosy patients , i have assisted in
policy formulation at state level as well as National
Sectors and beyond these i have no claim to any
expertise.
Leprosy and in its turn deformity and disability, bring
about deeper, more fundamental changes in the
personality and attitude of people then war, natural
calamity or poverty. These changes remain even after the
people are cured. Life will always be different to them
because they have been "there" and back. This change
goes beyond the initial reaction of incredulity,
outrage, terror and self loathing. It is change in the
essential intrinsic human being. It is much more than a
superficial change of attitude - it is change of the
soul.
To understand leprosy the best thing is to live in close
association of the people who have it. I have bin a very
close and deep association for an unforgettable number
of years with the people who had leprosy. This period of
life with leprosy was a watershed in the lives of every
one of them.
Rehabilitation and its Application to leprosy
The rehabilitation process has been in use for many
years in connection with person handicapped from causes
other then leprosy. Its use in leprosy works is
comparatively recent. In applying "rehabilitation" to
this field, however, a distinction between leprosy
handicapped an other handicapped person, has been
overlooked. Ostracism seems to prevail in case of
Leprosy Cured Person. "Whereas the question of social
non-acceptance does not arise in rehabilitation of the
blind, deaf or the orthopedic ally handicapped. They
usually remain in their own homes and society. But
leprosy patients are often not accepted in the social
milieu and the process of rehabilitation keeps pace with
the growth of the disease. The aim of rehabilitation is
removal of fear in order to achieve social integration.
I also noticed that the number of children who are
identified as leprosy affected or who are healthy but
who belong to the family of leprosy affected person are
in the dire need of supportive services such as
sponsorship for health , education and welfare, so that
they can take the advantage of development
opportunities.
Experience shows that anti-leprosy work, like other
human developments concerns, calls for a broad approach.
The vaccum at the village level, which leaves leprosy
affected persons high and dry can be filled only by
local groups of sensitized citizens linked to Voluntary
agencies. For this to happen , anti -leprosy work must
become a part of the consciousness and development of
the village community. Some of the village like Sewa
Gram today present this promise to the whole country.
Thanks to the quite work of selfless workers carried
over decades, asking for nothing in return. Let the
purpose of our help make all help superfluous and the
objective of rehabilitation to be demolish the needs of
rehabilitation.
Provide "Provide Treatment for Leprosy,Diagnosis for Leprosy,MDT Treatment for Leprosy from India."
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