Even as a slew of events were conducted by various Government and non-Governmental organisations across the State to observe the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) on Saturday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urged people to work together for creating an inclusive and equitable world without discrimination and securing the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities (PWDs).
“On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I reaffirm my State’s commitment to their empowerment as well as for ensuring equal rights and opportunities for them. I urge all citizens to work together for creating an inclusive and equitable world without discrimination and securing the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities,” Patnaik tweeted.
To mark the day, the Institute of Social Work and Research (ISWAR), an organisation fighting for the cause of disabled people, organised a public hearing of PWDs and also on the status of implementation of PWDs Act-1995.
Haryana State Human Rights Commission Acting Chairperson Justice HS Bhalla, Karnataka State Human Rights Commission Acting Chairperson Meera Sakshena and Odisha Human Rights Commission Acting Chairperson Justice BK Mishra attended the public hearing.
A large number of disabled people thronged the venue at the lohia Academy where their grievances were heard. In many cases, judges pronounced their interim verdicts after hearing the depositions of the disabled victims coming from all the 30 districts of the State.
Similarly, the Swabhiman State Disability Information and Resource Centre joined hands with different organisations and conducted awareness events in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Adaspur with an aim to show non-disabled people that a person with a disability can be a vibrant member of the society.