Assam's disability rights activist Arman Ali to represent India at US programme

Guwahati: Prominent disability rights activist Arman Ali will represent India at a professional exchange programme offered by the United States of America (USA), the country's consulate has confirmed.

In a statement issued on Monday, the US Consulate stated that Ali will take part in the US Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP).

The programme will not be held in a 'conventional' manner this year due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in America, which has been reporting over 1,000 deaths on a daily basis. Instead, to minimize the risk of infection, the programme shall be held virtually.

This unique programme commemorates 30 years of the historic Americans with Disabilities Act and will be attended by numerous disability rights activists. Apart from Ali, Fadi El Halabi from Lebanon and David Anyaele from Nigeria will participate in it

This year, representatives will give online presentations and take part in meetings and cultural activities, the Consulate added.

It needs mention here that disability rights activist Arman Ali is presently the executive director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People in New Delhi. He is also on the board of the NGO Shishu Sarothi in Guwahati, Assam.

In the previous years, representatives had visited the US to experience the country and cultivate relationships with their American counterparts, but this year, due to the virus, the meeting will be of a virtual kind.

This is a landmark achievement for disability rights activist who has been vocal about the issues plaguing the disabled community. In his Linkedin bio, he describes himself in the following words, "A Disability Rights Activist with social enterprise integration expertise. Working on advocacy and implementation of rights for persons with disabilities. I'm working towards making it impossible for people to ignore disability and to include it in every aspect of life."

Also Watch: #NewsMakers: Exclusive chat with Dr Rathin Barman, Joint Director, WTI with Oineetom Ojah