The answer to the last one is of course yes. In fact, developing technologies have not only made the day to day living of such people easy, but has also succeeded in shifting our perception towards our less fortunate brethren. Thanks to new techniques, we can now look upon our fellow-citizens with disability with a new-found respect, as equal partners and equally valuable contributors in nation building. The instances are innumerable. The visually handicapped are now be able to enjoy a game of snakes and ladders, and it's no longer tough for them to perform mathematical problems. Neither do they have to be secluded from the society to understand scientific principles like the laws of reflection.

There's more. A physically handicapped person, now walks on the street just as confidently as `normal' people do. Thanks to the development of artificial limbs, anybody with a dysfunctional arm or leg is able to live up life as well as an individual who is endowed with the natural use of limbs.

But the question is, are those suffering from disability aware of the avenues of help that exist? That's precisely what `Ability India', an international exhibition aimed at disseminating information on the latest available assistive devices for all categories of people with disabilities is all about. Formally thrown open today, the exhibition has on display a wide range of devices manufactured by manufacturers from India and abroad working specifically in the areas of disability.

Inaugurating the show, the minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, Maneka Gandhi pointed out that the services meant for the people with disabilities is woefully inadequate in several parts of the country. ``Disabled persons find themselves secluded from the services and activities which are considered normal for other people'', she said.

It was keeping this in view that the minister announced assistance for the development of aids and appliances that may help the disable improve their quality of life and in their social rehabilitation.

Speaking on the occasion, the guest of honour Bharat Ratna Abdul Kalam, made a mention of the various technologies on which the DRDO is working on to develop more assistive devices for the disabled. He invited manufacturers ``with a heart'' to put these technologies to practical use in order to develop devices which are easily and cheaply available to the needy. He said the department was ready to part with these technologies free of cost. ``Disability comes to those who cannot afford to buy artificial limbs. It is the duty of technicians, doctors and scientists to come together and make the disabled available assistive devices at an affordable cost,'' Kalam said.

Incidentally, the ministry organising the event aims to enable the handicapped to understand their own potential and make their choice in selecting the right devices. The exhibition is first of its kind being organised in the country, and if it succeeds, there are plans to organise more of these in other parts of the country. The exhibition is being held in Hall No.15, Pragati Maidan and is on till September 20.