Majority of disabled people in Bengaluru Rural, Tumakuru lack health insurance coverage: Report
Bengaluru: An overwhelming majority of people with disabilities in Bengaluru Rural and Tumakuru remain without health insurance coverage, with most having received no health support or assistive aids in the past year, according to a recent survey conducted by the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) and the NGO Astha.
The report, as cited by Deccan Herald, surveyed 758 individuals—388 from Bengaluru Rural and 370 from Tumakuru—55 percent of whom were men. Alarmingly, the findings reveal that 96 percent of disabled persons in Tumakuru and 88 percent in Bengaluru Rural do not have access to health insurance.
Over 90 percent of respondents across both districts reported not having availed any form of health support or assistive devices last year. In addition to this, a large proportion of participants suffered from locomotor disabilities.
Education and employment statistics were equally stark—47 percent in Bengaluru Rural and 24 percent in Tumakuru were illiterate, and around 70 percent of all respondents were unemployed, relying entirely on family support. Most of the families in both districts earned less than Rs 1 lakh per annum.
Respondents expressed that their disabilities compounded existing hardships—ranging from limited access to education and employment to social exclusion and economic difficulties, added the report. Many also acknowledged vulnerability to climate change-related health impacts.
“The tragedy of the disability sector is that the basics are not in place. Health for people with disabilities is a matter of life and death; assistive aids cannot be populist schemes,” DH quoted Arman Ali, Executive Director of NCPEDP, as saying.
The report proposes a series of recommendations to address the systemic gaps: Creating disability-friendly public services, subsidising healthcare and improving accessibility to health insurance schemes, census based on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, updating Disability IDs, community-based health management and private and charitable organisations' involvement, and capacity building of caregivers through self-help groups.
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Veteran Tamil film producer Rajan dies after jumping into Adyar River
Chennai (PTI): Veteran Tamil film producer K Rajan died after jumping into the Adyar River in the city on Sunday, police said.
Police said it appears to be a case of suicide, though the reason for his extreme step was not immediately known.
The 85-year-old film personality asked his driver to stop the car while crossing the Adyar bridge and suddenly got out and jumped into the river, police sources said.
The driver immediately alerted Fire and Rescue Services personnel, who reached the spot, recovered the body, and sent it for post-mortem.
Police have registered a case, and further investigation is underway.
Rajan entered the Tamil film industry as a producer in the early 1980s. Apart from producing films, he also directed a few movies.
He also served as president of a film distributors’ association.
Top leaders of political parties, including the two Dravidian majors—the DMK and AIADMK—expressed shock and grief over his death and conveyed their condolences to the bereaved family.
Former Chief Minister and DMK President M K Stalin said Rajan had always boldly raised his voice for the welfare of small film producers and the overall development of the film industry.
“He had always urged that Tamil films be titled in Tamil,” Stalin said in a statement, adding that Rajan consistently fought for the rights of ordinary workers in the film industry.
AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said Rajan’s voice was important in securing recognition for small-budget films in the Tamil film industry.
Among others who condoled his death was PMK founder S Ramadoss. Leaders from various parties also expressed their condolences to the bereaved family.
“This is terrible news. Deeply shocked to hear about the demise of our beloved member of the film fraternity, producer K Rajan sir,” actor and BJP leader Khushbu Sundar said in a post on social media platform X.
“He was a very respectful person and someone who never hesitated to call a spade a spade. This is very upsetting. May his soul rest in peace,” she added.
