Kathmandu, June 7: Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala today inaugurated the special eighth national special school level games and sixth national cultural competition amid a function at the Dasharath Stadium today.

Five hundred and ninety-five blind, physically handicapped, hearing impaired and mentally retarded children from 38 districts are competing in 116 events of the national special games organised by Nepal Para Olympics Committee.

Prime Minister Koirala, on the occasion, said that the disabled are also an integral part of the society and it is the duty of all concerned to provide proper opportunities to create atmosphere conducive for them to live a respectable life.

Stating that our endeavour for the development of the country would be incomplete as long as education and training were not imparted to the disabled and bring them in the national mainstream, he said that the present government was making arrangements for educating them and creating an conducive atmosphere for them to live suitable life.

At the function, Prime Minister Koirala gave away medals to the winners of the 50 metre race of the mentally retarded children.

Minister for Education and Sports Amod Prasad Upadhyaya said that HMG would make every possible effort to provide equal opportunities to the disabled and make their life meaningful.

Speaking from the chair, Minister of State for Education and Sports Dilendra Prasad Badu said that HMG has been running the special education council for the last eight years for the physical and mental development of the disabled children.

President of Nepal Para Olympic Committee Yuvaraj Khati and general secretary of the National Disabled Federation Munishwar Pandey also expressed their views on the occasion. On the occasion, the children participaing in the programme also presented a march past.