President Ramnath Kovind told persons with disabilities that they should not let their physical disabilities dominate their lives. They should identify their talents as it is these talents that provide them the confidence to move ahead in life.
Kovind was addressing ‘Free Ancillary Equipment Distribution Ceremony’ organised at Gwalior on Sunday. He said to the disabled that the equipment is for their support and they should not depend entirely on them. They should bring out their talents and hidden strength and win the world.
He lauded the efforts being made for inclusive education, skill development, employment and social security towards integrated welfare scheme by making ancillary equipments available jointly by centre and State Government. He said that the Government is providing state of the art ancillary equipment to the disabled and senior citizens. The Government is working with the goal that no person with disabilities remains without assistance. Job opportunities are being explored in Government and private sector for the disabled.
Government of India has increased disabled reservation quota from 3 to 4 percent. Special campaign is also being launched to fill the vacant posts reserved for the disabled.
The President said that there are many such disabled who have become source of inspiration for others. He mentioned the under 19 cricketer from Chennai Preethi Srinivasan. He said that Preethi has done a remarkable job by constituting the NGO ‘Soulfree’. Similarly Deepa Malik and Sajjan Singh Gurjar also made the country proud. Citing the example of famous classical danseuse Sudha Chandran, he said that she turned the weakness of legs into her strength and earned a name not only in the country but also in the world for her dance.
Similarly, Jagadguru Swami Ram Bhadracharya who is visually handicapped has written 120 books and is popularizing India in the world through the disabled persons passing out of the educational institute being run by him in Chitrakoot. He encouraged the disabled by narrating the inspirational story of Tretayuga Rishi Ashtavakra.
The President said that organizing the mega camp in Gwalior is a commendable initiative to share the problems of the disabled.
Indian Red Cross Society Haryana, Government of Madhya Pradesh, district administration and AlIMCO and Dhara Foundation connected with this event and other sansthas are worth appreciation.Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the mega camp has been organised in Gwalior for disabled and senior citizens as per the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay’s sentiments.
Along with distribution of ancillary equipments, swarozgar, rozgar and jobs have also been given to 1400 persons with disabilities. He said that a campaign will be launched for the welfare of the disabled in the entire state on the lines of the Disabled campaign being run in Gwalior district.
Chouhan said that with a little support even disabled persons can make a mark in different areas. The Chief Minister said that unique ID cards of 1.67 lakh disabled have been issued in the state. Government grants `2 lakh as honorarium on a disabled’s marriage. The money is deposited in the accounts of 4 lakh disabled persons of the state with one click. Government is giving disabled pension of `500 per month.
Haryana Governor Professor Kaptan Singh Solanki said that this camp has been organized with the resolve not to let any disabled and senior citizen remain in pain.
Union Minister of Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Narendra Singh Tomar said that this event has been organized on the death anniversary of father of Integrated Humanism Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya. He expressed his gratitude towards all the institutes connected to this event. He said that Government of India’s Ministry for Social Justice and Empowerment is coming up to the expectations of the Prime Minister.
Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thawarchand Gehlot also expressed his views on the occasion.