UK High Commissioner makes surprise visit to Vikas Vihar

Tirupati: Richard Hyde, the British High Commissioner, Hyderabad Consulate made a surprise visit to Vikas Vihar, a mentally-retarded and disabled home run by RASS (Rashtriya Abhyudaya Seva Samithi) here on Wednesday evening and interacted with the representatives of various NGOs for over 30 minutes. He arrived at Renigunta airport in the afternoon and visited Vikas Vihar and spent about half-an-hour with the children and enquired about the living conditions and facilities available here. He personally learnt few new things from the children. Some blind persons are also staying in the Vihar. He appreciated the management of RASS in maintaining the home in good manner. Later, he reviewed the functioning of NGOs, providing facilities to homes they are maintaining, coordination between NGOs and special efforts on disabled persons and their rehabilitation. Speaking on the occasion, he said that his father became blind and learnt Braille script. As a child he personally experienced the pain of a blind person and especially the social stigma and problems faced by him every day within the family, he pointed. He suggested to all NGOs to be dedicated towards physically challenged and mentally retarded people, who are staying in various homes and suggested to maintain better coordination among each other. Executive Director Munirathnam, PASS chairman Balakrishna Murthy, SRC chairperson Mamatha, Abhaya Kshetram (Home for disabled and retarded persons) organiser Taslimaa and staff of RASS Ravichandra, Nagaraju, Mohan, Rammohan Reddy and few others attended the meeting.