Cuddalore, India - March 20, 2012 - BASF, in association with UN-HABITAT and implementation partner Leonard Cheshire Disability (LCD) today inaugurated a Disability Resource Centre at Saraswathi Nagar (Manakkuppam Village) in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu. The initiative is an extension of the company's ongoing project to support people with disabilities, and aims to benefit over 2000 people.

"While BASF frequently supports communities affected by natural disasters, this project in particular aims to provide relief and rehabilitation support to the inhabitants of the disaster affected regions. The project was designed to address the pressing needs of local communities, especially the disabled, the most vulnerable section of society. The Center will serve as an information and advisory center to the people with disabilities," said Mr. Prasad Chandran, Chairman, BASF Companies in India & Head South Asia at the inaugural function. The function witnessed the presence of over 150 beneficiaries, local panchayat, officials of the Education, Social & Welfare Department from the district and members of the community. The Chief Guest for the event was Mr. Rajendra Ratnoo, IAS, Collector of Cuddalore-Government of Tamil Nadu

Expressing his contentment over achieving another milestone in the project, Mr. Bhushan Tuladhar, Regional Technical Advisor (South Asia), UN-HABITAT said, "We are proud to see the results of this unique partnership between BASF, a local non-government organization, government bodies and nearby communities. The Disability Resource Center, equipped with orthopedic, speech and physiotherapy facilities, is expected to support people with disabilities and provide them with a platform to come together, engage in productive activities, learn and share. It will function as an oasis for people with various types of disabilities and become a social hub for networking and knowledge sharing. We look forward to seeing a lively center that engages proactively with people with disabilities as well as the entire community."

Seen in the picture (From L to R): Mr. Prasad Chandran, Chairman, BASF Companies in India & Head South Asia, Dr. Hartmut Under, Managing Director, BASF Social Foundation and Mr. P.M.John, Chairman, Regional Council, LCD (South Asia) at the inaugural ceremony of the Disability Resource Centre at Saraswathi Nagar (Manakkuppam Village) in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu. The initiative is an extension of the ongoing disability project started by BASF, UN-HABITAT and LCD to support people with disabilities and aims to benefit over 2000 people in and around Cuddalore.

Mr. P.M.John, Chairman, Regional Council, LCD (South Asia) stressed the significance of the Disability Resource Center: "Over the years, Cheshire Homes have grown to offer community-based rehabilitation services, in addition to residential care for the disabled. With the advancement of technology, it has become increasingly possible to rehabilitate many people with disabilities like cerebral palsy, paraplegics, visually impaired, hearing impaired and mental retardation. We focus on the poorer section of the local communities with our involvement in the areas of inclusive education, health & rehabilitation, social integration & community awareness, livelihood resource centre, vocational training and advocacy & networking activities. The Disability Resource Center will serve as a one stop solution for the disabled in the district of Cuddalore."

Seen in the picture: Mr. Prasad Chandran, Chairman, BASF Companies in India & Head South Asia and Mr. Rajendra Ratnoo, IAS, Collector of Cuddalore-Government of Tamil Nadu at the inaugural function of the Disability Resource Centre at Saraswathi Nagar (Manakkuppam Village) in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, witnessing presence of over 150 beneficiaries, local panchayat, officials of the Education, Social & Welfare Department from the district and members of the community.

The Center will be equipped with project personnel, disability related information, appropriate assistive devices, and share information on policies & legislations with regards to disability. The Center will also have basic literature on disability rehabilitation management and information on existing schemes and programmes available for the disabled.  With community-based rehabilitation initiatives, such as inclusive education for children with disabilities and vocational skills training, it will help the people with disabilities lead independent lives. The long-term vision is to promote research on disability related issues at the Center.

Seen in the picture (From L to R): Mr. Bhushan Tuladhar, Regional Technical Advisor (South Asia), UN-HABITAT, Mr. Prasad Chandran, Chairman, BASF Companies in India & Head South Asia, Mr. Rajendra Ratnoo, IAS, Collector of Cuddalore-Government of Tamil Nadu and Mr. P.M.John, Chairman, Regional Council, LCD (South Asia) at the inaugural ceremony of the Disability Resource Centre at Saraswathi Nagar (Manakkuppam Village) in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, focused on offering community-based rehabilitation facilities targeted at benefiting over 2000 people with disabilities in Cuddalore and neighboring districts.

The responsibility of operation and management of the Center will rest with LC Project Nagapattinum, the implementing partner of LCD. The Center will draw its strengths by establishing close collaborations with the local and state governments, other developmental organisations working with both disability and mainstream issues, health and education service providers, MFIs, trusts and foundations and local charitable clubs to sustain operations in the long run. This centre will employ locals, train them and provide employment opportunities. The current committee that oversees the management of the centre comprises of representatives from the community including persons with disability themselves.

About UN-HABITAT

UN-HABITAT is the United Nations agency for Human Settlements mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable communities, towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all and sustainable development.

About Leonard Cheshire Disability (LCD)

LCD works with Cheshire partners in 54 countries to support persons with disabilities secure education, livelihoods, health care and have a voice in the society. The rights of people with disabilities are at the centre of its works. LCD also promotes and defends the UN Convention and other similar international instruments in this regard. LCD through its South Asia Regional Office (SARO) works with people with disabilities in Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Its mission is to enable disabled people to improve their quality of life and to campaign for the removal of barriers which hinder them. Leonard Cheshire Project Nagapattinam (LCPN), which is functioning for the empowerment of people with disabilities in Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur and Cuddalore Districts of Tamil Nadu is the local Partner of LCD-SARO for the implementation of the project.

About BASF

BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success, social responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation we enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and system solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about €73.5 billion in 2011 and had more than 111,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

Media contacts

BASF India                                                                                      UN-Habitat  / LCD

Sonal Shah / Saswati Panigrahi                                                 Pradip Nandi ; Ashok Kumar

Phone:  + 91 22 66618100 / 8120                                              Ph:+917554233804  

Mobile: + 91 9820566922 / +91 9833261185                          Mob: 09425008936    ;   Mob: +91 9842919357

sonal.shah@basf.com ; saswati.panigrahi@basf.com           Pradip.nandi@undp.org ; lcprojectnp@gmail.com

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This press release was issued by BASF India Ltd. and was initially posted at http://www.india.basf.com/apex/India/India/en/upload/News_and_Media_Relations/Press_Release/2011/BAS F_launches_Disability_Resource_Centre_in_Cuddalore_Tamil_Nadu . It was distributed, unedited and unaltered, by noodls on 2012-03-21 14:51:01 PM. The issuer is solely responsible for the accuracy of the information contained therein.