In an age characterised by prolific scientific advances, the products of the intellect, mental retardation is naturally, thought unjustifiably, feared. It refers to children who learn more slowly and cannot do all the things that their peers can. Diminished mental ability may arise from many factors, including infection of the mother during pregnancy, trauma or disease in early childhood, malnutrition or simply an impoverished social environment. The number of these children in India is variously estimated but is perhaps not less than 20 lakh. Application of insights and techniques contributed by education, psychology, social work and other relevant disciplines have, however, opened up new possibilities of economic independence and social adequacy for many retarded children. Our unsophisticated rural environment makes adjustment for the retarded child easier.

The goal of education and rehabilitation for these children is to optimise the development of their potential and this can be best achieved by heightening community awareness of this poignant social problem through every available means of communication.

The P & T Department feels privileged to highlight the social problems of the mentally retarded by the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India