Printing press inagurated at army Paraplegic Centre

Mohali, Feb 5 (UNI) In order to a give a further fillip to vocational avenues available to the inmates of the army-run Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre (PRC) at Mohali, a printing press was inaugurated by Mrs Bina Aul, Officiating President, Western Command Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) here today.

Copies and registers for school children would be printed at this press, which would subsequently be sold to the Kendriya Vidyalayas and Army Public School Chandimandir at competitive rates.

Speaking on the occasion, Mrs Aul said that it was a step in the right direction which would add to the vocational training facilities for the inmates. The profit that accrues from the venture will add to the earnings of inmates to make them self supporting citizens and thus lead their life with self pride and happiness, she added.

The installation of the printing press would be another venture for self dependence for the inmates who are already receiving vocational training in knitting with machines, cutting and tailoring, rewiring of wire brushes, candle making and caning of chairs with the underlying objective being earn while learn.

The Centre also has a computer lab to impart computer training to the inmates so that they acquire basic computer skills.

The PRC here is a unique institution of its kind which caters to 100 per cent disabled soldiers hailing from the northern, central and eastern regions of the country. The inmates include paraplegics (having both the lower limbs paralysed) and tetraplegics (having all the four limbs paralysed) as a result of spinal cord injuries sustained while on active military.

The institution is built over 10 acres of land and was commissioned on November 30, 1978. Presently, there are 38 inmates admitted in the Centre and has the potential to be expanded to accommodate 100 inmates.

The aim of the Centre is to provide rehabilitation to paraplegic and tetraplegic soldiers with a view to instill an urge to live in them and motivate them to become self supporting citizens by providing vocational training appropriate to their medical fitness. It symbolizes the effort of the army in mitigating the suffering of gallant soldiers.

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