YMCA, Coimbatore, on Saturday distributed White Canes to nearly 100 visually challenged people as part of the White Cane Day celebrations.

The first White Cane Day celebrations was held on October 15 in the year 1964, following a proclamation by the then US President Lyndon B. Johnson

A simple tool, the cane helps the visually challenged people to find walk and find their way without any help from anyone. It also brought about a change in them and they became more independent, self reliant and confident to the extent that they started working in factories and even handled machines. The White Cane became a constant companion of the visually challenged.

In his address, YMCA President Jeyakumar David said the association would also consider helping the visually challenged in the field of education. The recipients, who were accompanied by their relatives, thanked the association for their help. Later, they presented a music programme. The YMCA Programme Committee Chairman Armstrong and several others were present.