STAFF CORRESPONDENT
AMPATI, Dec 2: As part of the celebration of Intertiol Day for Persons with Disabilities, five PWDs from South West Garo Hills, who had completed skill development training in various trades like knitting, tailoring and cane & bamboo crafts, were given a loan sanction under Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yoja (PMMY) at an impressive function organized by the District Social Welfare Office, in collaboration with the District Administration, Sarva Shiksha Yoja and Bethany Society at Ampati MFC on Friday.
A large number of PWDs from across the district along with their family members, NGOs and district officials participated in the celebration under the theme "Achieving 17 goals for the Future We Want".
The Micro Units Development & Refince Agency or MUDRA loans were sanctioned by State Bank of India to PWDs to start small scale units so that they can become self reliant and self dependent and skill development training for these PWDs were given by Bethany Society under IBDLP.
Participating in the celebration as the chief guest, Salmanpara legislator WD Sangma said that the celebration brings all the PWDs at par with all other citizens, ensuring equal delivery of services and facilities to them. He, however, reminded the gathering that it was also a day to relook and re-sensitize ourselves on the status of PWDs so that all government machineries and NGOs concerned can work more effectively as we move forward to give them a better future.
He also informed the PWDs that the Government together with the NGOs would be opening special school within the district to eble them to go for higher education without leaving their homes and also specially-designed programmes would be started for the PWDs to take up entrepreneurship and become self-reliant.
He also expressed his happiness to note that the District Election Office in its efforts to ensure that no one is left out from the electoral roll by setting up a special booth to enroll the PWDs who have attained 18 years of age on the occasion. It may be mentioned that 11 PWDs were enrolled in the electoral registration roll even before the start of the celebration. Deputy Commissioner, CVD Diengdoh, said that the Intertiol Day for PWDs was a day of celebrating their unique talents and specialities.
President of the Meghalaya Parents' Association of Disabled (MEPAD), Shillong, N. Sen Gupta, Coorditor & Nodal Officer, tiol Trust, Belbora Wankhar, District Social Welfare Officer, L. J. Sangma and one of the orthopedically handicapped persons, Panthom Sangma, were among others who also spoke during the celebration.