By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:Our government has always given priority to the problems of people with disabilities, and is working hard to mainstream them into the society by providing them with appropriate education and care, said Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi in his speech on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities – 2025.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of a three-day programme organized by the State Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSID) from 1st of this month at SOA Auditorium in Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister said that physical ability or disability never hinders the development of talent. With the support of the society and the inspiration of the family, many differently-abled persons have proved this by demonstrating success in various fields.
He said that after the successful Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji took charge of the country in 2014, all the schemes and programmes for the differently-abled or Divyang have been expanded. While since independence till 2014, only 7 lakh differently-abled people were provided with artificial aids in the country, since 2014 till now, i.e. in 11 years, 31 lakh artificial aids have been provided. In 2015, Modi ji coined the word Divyang for differently-abled.
He further said, “Our government, through the Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, is continuously making efforts to bring smiles on the faces of the differently-abled persons in the state and make them socially and economically self-reliant.”
The Chief Minister appealed to employers and industrialists that in our state, many differently-abled youth are engaged in various fields and are working efficiently. The differently-abled have immense talent. They need to be showcased through employment.
Appealing to the people of the state, the Chief Minister said that the differently-abled do not want anyone’s pity or sympathy, they want the right to live with dignity and it is our responsibility to provide that right. Encouraging the differently-abled, he said, “Your dreams and hopes and aspirations are the focus of our development. Never lose hope, learn. There is no limit to your success. If someone draws a boundary for you, challenge him. You can surely achieve limitless success and become an inspiration to others.”
On this occasion, the Chief Minister felicitated a total of 33 differently-abled sportspersons who have achieved success at the national and international levels, including four players from the T20 Blind Women’s World Cup. He also inaugurated the distribution of laptops to students.
At the event, Minister for Social Security and Empowerment of the Disabled, Shri Nityanand Gand said that in this three-day festival, our differently-abled brothers and sisters have enthusiastically displayed their talents. The Chief Minister is giving importance to keeping the differently-abled brothers and sisters in a respectable position in the society by providing all the support and services. Arrangements have been made for them for increased allowance system, accommodation under the Antodhya Griha Yojana, scholarships, etc. In the coming days, more special teachers will be deployed in the field of education. Encouraging the differently-abled, he said, if your goals are right, then you will definitely reach your goal. Therefore, keep full faith in yourself and move forward on the path of your goal.
Divisional Commissioner and Administrative Secretary Shri.R.S. Gopalan delivered the welcome address and Special Secretary Rajni Dani proposed the vote of thanks. Director Smt. Parul Patwari was present.
