We celebrated the 16th International Wheelchair Day at Bhrikutimandap with immense joy and pride! Present on the occasion were around 350 people which included wheelchair users, caretakers, their families and representatives of various organizations. The theme of this year was “व्हीलचियर पहुँच हाम्रो हक, उपयुक्त व्हीलचियर हाम्रो अधिकार” (Our rights to appropriate wheelchair and wheelchair accessibility).

The presence of the Honourable Minister for Women, Children, and Senior Citizens, Surendra Raj Acharya added invaluable significance to this occasion. In his address to the participants he expressed his genuine concern about the unavailability of appropriate wheelchairs in Nepal. He further expressed his interest to explore the possibilities of manufacturing wheelchairs in Nepal.

The event was also graced by Founder of SISN-SIRC Kanak Mani Dixit and Vice-chair Dr Anil Bahadur Shrestha. Mr. DIxit in this speech thanked everyone for their support for more than a decade to come together at least once on this day to create awareness about inclusive society. He added that he celebrates everyone who has dared to live an active life in a situation that is not inclusive . We were humbled to have with us our ex-patient and now the parliamentarian of Bagmati Pradesh, Honourable Laxmi Ghimire. She has been an activist to promote accessible government offices and also public spaces. This year too in her short address she once again put forward a strong request to make the public offices and other places accessible to wheelchairs so that persons on wheelchairs can live an independent and active life.

After a short formal program of the event, we marched around Tudikhel, embracing the spirit of inclusion and need for accessibility for all. Later the program was formally closed by Dr. Anil Shrestha, Vice Chairperson, SISN who thanked all the supporters, journalists, NGO/INGOS and all the participants for their solidarity. Towards the end , people on wheelchairs danced and celebrated their togetherness for the cause.