The programme will be held at the General Education Auditorium, M S University, under the aegis of city-based special school for the mentally handicapped Prerna, managed by the Manav Niketan Trust, in collaboration with the Sahayog Kushthayagna Trust, Rajendranagar (Sabarkantha).

Addressing reporters here on Wednesday, organising secretary Mayur Patel said the NIMH's national seminar was an annual event organised to create awareness among the masses about the mentally challenged. ``It is an opportunity for parents, sibings, teachers, therapists and experts from various fields to share a common platform and exchange knowledge about the recent advances, researches and trends in the area. The programme is particularly relevant to parents, who very often have no clue of how to deal with a handicapped child,'' Patel said.

The themes for this year's session include Networking Services for the Persons with Mental Retardation, Maintaining Standards in Quality of Services for the Persons with Mental Retardation and Inclusive Education. About 300 delegates from various special schools, national institutes, training centres, including professionals and parents, are expected to attend the seminar.

Patel said the resolutions and recommendations of the participants in the concluding session would be included in the seminar report, which will be presented to the State's ministerial representatives or the Central government present on the occasion. ``As is the procedure every year, a follow-up committee will be formed to look into the government's action in regard to the report,'' Patel said.

Patel said that based on the findings of an NIMH seminar report, the former Narasimha Rao government had proposed an Equal Rights and Equal Opportunities Bill for the differently abled, the implementation of which, he added, was being considered by the Central government.

Those interested in participating in the seminar can contact Seminar Co-ordinator Sujata Jajoo for registration at 11, Krishna Kunj Society, B/h Shiv Mahal Palace, Jetalpur Road or call on (0265) 328134 on or before November 30.