Shimla, Nov 18 : Wrestler Dalip Singh Rana, popularly known as ''Khali'' inaugurated an awareness drive about special children organised by the Himachal chapter of Special Olympics here on Tuesday.

The main motive behind the campaign was to spread awareness about the problems faced by the mentally and physically challenged children and also about the Special Olympics.

"This is a signature campaign which will be held all throughout the state where approximately we want some 10,000 signatures of the normal children making them aware of the problems of the disabled and taking a promise from them to support the Special Olympics Movement and also to support these special children wherever they are in their lives," said Mallika Nanda, Chairperson, Special Olympic Himachal.

Hundreds of children assembled at the Bishop Cotton School in Shimla to participate in the special drive solely meant for the differently-abled kids.

Nanda wished that the presence of ''Khali'' would motivate the physically and mentally challenged children and also draw attention to the quadrennial event-held both in summer and winter.

Khali has been entrusted with the responsibility of making the society responsive about the Special Olympics and the problems faced by the special children.

The last Winter Special Olympics was held in the USA in February this year, while the next Summer Special Olympics will be held in Athens, Greece in 2011. (ANI)