Hyderabad|India|July'2010: Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), world’s largest limbs fitting society (known worldwide for its Jaipur Foot) and Mahavir International, a voluntary organisation distributed aids, appliances, tricycles and wheelchairs to fifty disabled people at a program here in city. Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayata Samiti, headquartered at Jaipur provides free artificial limbs, jaipur foot, polio calipers, crutches, prosthesis to amputees and disabled in India and abroad. It is a non-governmental voluntary society for helping the handicapped and is known worldwide for the Jaipur Foot.

Smt. K. Sunitha, I.A.S., Mission Director - MEPMA ( Mission for Eradication of Poverty in Municipal Areas) was the chief guest for the event held at Sarojini Naidu Hall, Ramkote. Fifty needy persons were given away aids, appliances, tricycles and wheelchairs through the hands of the Chief Guest. Mr. P.C. Shrimal, President - BMVSS Hyderabad branch; Mrs. Vira Madhu Surana, President - Mahavir International; Mr. Surendra Luniya, Mr. Dharam Chand Galeda, Mrs. Farida Hussain, Mr. Inder Chand Jain and others were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion Ms. K. Sunitha, Mission Director - MEPMA said that every person can do something and contribute to help the disabled. She expressed happiness on seeing a large number of women associated with the program. Giving the disabled wheelchairs and tricycles makes them independent and mobile, she said. She appreciated the activities taken up by BMVSS and Mahavir International.

It is estimated that 10 million people in India are suffering from loco-motor disabilities. This is out of total population of One Billion in India . Fitment of artificial limbs and calipers and other aids and appliances is a great humanitarian service, said Mr. P.C. Shrimal, President - BMVSS.

About 2000 people were benefitted by the recent camps organised by BMVSS in association with Mahavir International and MEPMA in nine locations viz. Karimnagar, Warangal , Vijayawada , Guntur , Ongole, Nizamabad, Nirmal, Mahabubnagar and Hyderabad . About 250 people were given away artificial limbs, appliances, etc. between 28th - 30th June alone. The Hyderabad branch of BMVSS works closely with SERP (Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty) and MEPMA ( Mission for Eradication of Poverty in Municipal Areas) to support disability. It has served more than 20000 persons till date, informed Mr. Inder Chand Jain giving details of the project.

Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS) was founded in the year 1976 by Shri D.R. Mehta, I.A.S. (Retd.). It has several branches across the country including one in Srinagar and two in Pakistan . From its inception it has been able to support over one million persons to stand on their feet who either from birth have no foot or effected with Polio or lost foot with some mishap or the other. Under the guidance of Shri D.R. Mehta camps are held to reach the patients requiring the support and it has held camps world over including Iraq and Afghanistan besides South Africa and other countries. The Jaipur Foot has been featured in Time Magazine’s Top 50 Inventions of the world (November 2009 issue) for its look, durability and cost compared to other products. BMVSS’s Jaipur Foot is nearest to a normal human foot, not only in appearance but in functions also.

-July'' 2010