BS RAWAT
NEW DELHI : Over 200 wheelchair users and others took part in a rally in Delhi to spread awareness about spinal cord injuries and their prevention, as well as rehabilitation of affected patients.

The wheelchair rally was flagged off by India's Women and Child Development Minister Ms Smriti Irani.

The minister highlighted that the youth should pay attention to road rules while driving in order to prevent spinal injuries caused by road accidents.

"As for women, a better look towards their diet would prevent the incidence of Osteoporosis in later years," Ms Irani said.

The rally was organised by the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC), in association with the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS) to celebrate Spinal Cord Injury Day.

The rally was an advocacy drive to support an inclusive life for persons with disability in keeping with this year's theme of 'Living Life to the Fullest'.

ISIC chairman retired Major H P S Ahluwalia said, "Our aim is to bring forth the hidden aspects of spinal cord injury survivors to boost their confidence and make able-bodied people aware of their fellow citizens."

"Disability should not deter people from living a healthy and fruitful life," said Ahluwalia, himself a spinal cord injury survivor after being injured in the 1965 Indo-Pak war.

Almost 20-40 per 10 lakh people in India are affected by spinal cord injury, mostly due to falls and road accidents, according to the statement.