The ability to win

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment organised national awards on the ‘International Day of Persons with Disabilities’ on outstanding persons with disabilities and individuals and organisations that are working for the empowerment of persons with disabilities on December 3 at Vigyan Bhawan. The awards were conferred by Pranab Mukherjee, President of India, in 58 categories.

In 1969, the government approved a scheme for giving national awards to outstanding employers of persons with disabilities as well as outstanding employees. These awards were instituted with the objective to focus public attention on issues concerning persons with disabilities and to promote their mainstreaming in the society. The scope of the scheme has been amended from time to time, keeping in view the changing scenario. In India, as per census, 2001, the number of persons with disabilities is 2.20 crore, which constitutes 2.13 per cent of the total population.

Empowerment of persons with disabilities is an inter-disciplinary process, covering various aspects namely, prevention, early detection, intervention, education, vocational training rehabilitation and social integration etc. Apart from resources, it requires dedicated efforts of persons and institutions involved in the process of empowerment. 58 National Awards are given under fourteen broad categories which are as under:

• Best employees/self-employed with disabilities;
• Best employers and placement officer/agency for placement of persons with disabilities (government sector, PSU and private sector);
• Best individual and institution working for the cause of persons with disabilities;
• Role model;
• Best applied research/technological innovation/product development aimed at improving the life of persons with disabilities;
• Outstanding work in the creation of barrier-free environment for the persons with disabilities;
• Best district in providing rehabilitation services;
• Best state channelising agency of the National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation;
• Outstanding creative adult persons with disabilities;
• Best creative child with disabilities;
• Best braille press;
• Best accessible website;
• Best state in promoting empowerment of persons with disabilities; and
• Best sportsperson with disabilities.

Awards for the Best State in promoting empowerment of persons with disabilities and best sportsperson with disabilities have been introduced from this year. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment writes to the state governments / union territory administrators / central ministries / department / district collectors and press information officers of the state government calling for the nominations for the national awards in various categories.

The eligible applications received till September 30 as last date were shortlisted on merit by the screening committees constituted for this purpose. The National Selection Committee chaired by Minister of State P Balram Naik submitted its recommendations for approval of Minister Selja, 495 applications were received this year. Applications received after the due date could not be considered.