State committed to special policy for children with disabilities: Minister K. Rajan

The State government is committed to formulating a dedicated policy to address the diverse needs of children with disabilities and their parents, Revenue Minister K. Rajan has said.

He was inaugurating ‘Thillana-2026,’ the seventh State-level Buds Arts Festival organised by Kudumbashree on the Kerala Agricultural University campus in Vellanikkara on Friday.

The Minister noted that differently abled children possess immense creative potential and can excel in various fields when provided with appropriate support. “However, such children and their families often face multiple challenges and hardships. Ensuring equal justice and opportunities for all sections of society remains a key priority of the government,” he said.

As part of this vision, Kudumbashree has undertaken the responsibility of providing day care, training, and developmental support for children with intellectual challenges. At present, more than 14,000 children are benefiting from services offered through 405 Buds institutions across the State. He also highlighted the crucial role played by Kudumbashree in extending support and relief to victims during recent natural disasters in Kerala.

The Thillana Buds Arts Festival, he said, would emerge as a landmark initiative in integrating children with intellectual disabilities into the social mainstream.

District panchayat president Mary Thomas, who presided over the function, said the festival offers a valuable platform for children with intellectual challenges to nurture and showcase their creativity.

Explaining the project, Kudumbashree Executive Director H. Dineshan said the Buds Arts Festival is organised with the objective of ensuring that children in Buds institutions receive the same opportunities as those studying in mainstream schools.