International Day of Persons with Disabilities observed in districts of Assam

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KOKRAJHAR: To mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a two-day event with the theme 'Transformative solutions for inclusive development: The role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world' was held at the Higher Secondary Parade Ground, Kokrajhar on December 2 and December 3.

Organized by the National Foundation for India and co-funded by the European Union, the event was hosted by local partners Action for Inclusion and Empowerment Trust (AIET), SKI-Sido Kanu Institute, IDeA The Ant, FST, FSYN, and Kutchina Foundation. To begin the event, a bicycle rally was flagged off from the BTC Secretariat to the venue Kokrajhar Government HS and MP School playground.

A painting exhibition by the Sobha Brahma Music and Fine Arts College and Swrkhi Handicraft was displayed at the venue. Students from various schools and colleges in Kokrajhar participated in presenting their ideas on innovation on accessibility in educational institutions by the community.

A discussion on the topic 'Transformative solutions for inclusive development: The role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world' was held. On the first day, Digambar Narzary, Director of Nedan Foundation, attended the programme and spoke as a panelist and called upon the youths and students to bring the issues and challenges of the disabled people to the government. He elucidated that education is the only solution to break the walls of social prejudices against the disabled community. "Community mobilization is essential, starting from family, to raise awareness and sensitive the government on the matter," he said.

Jehangir Hussain, District Programme Officer, Samagra Siksha Abhiyan, talked about various facilities and schemes provided to the disabled community by the department. Assistant Professor of Kokrajhar Law College, Kwrwmdao Wary in his speech emphasized the rights and accessibility of education for the community. Well known singers Biraj Mushaharay and Swrjisuma Basumatary participated and performed during the cultural programme.

On the concluding day on Saturday, Asmita Rekha Bora, Dotma Circle Officer and senior journalist Preetam Brahma Choudhury attended as panelist and spoke on the occasion. Bora in her speech said that parents and communities should come together and pay regular visits to institutions and check if they are disabled-friendly.

TEZPUR: The North Assam Divyang Association, Tezpur celebrated the International Day for Persons with Disabilities on Saturday at the historic Ban Theater in association with the District Social Welfare department and District Legal Services Authority, Sonitpur with day-long programmes.

The programme started with hoisting of the flag of the association by Mridul Kumar Borah, chief secretary of North Assam Divyang Association, lighting of the earthen lamp by the president of the association, Jitu Nath and it was followed by plantation programme by the working president of the association, Riaz Ansari in the presence of Kabita Phangcho, Assistant Commissioner-cum-DSWO, senior journalist and cultural activist Dip Kumar Kalita and other dignitaries. The welcome address of the programme was delivered by Mridul Kumar Borah, Chief Secretary of North Assam Divyang Association.

Additional Deputy Commissioner, Dyotiva Borah, and Birinchi Borah, Additional SP Sonitpur, graced the occasion chief guests of the programme and Munindra Nath presided the meeting.

Speaking on the occasion, publicity secretary of Axam Xahitya Xabha, Pankaj Baruah said that all concerned, including the common civil society and the government should stand for the well-being of the especially-abled section of the society. It is often seen that negligence towards this section begins from the family, it is very unfortunate that a disabled person is given less importance than a normal person or severely neglected, thereby making a difference which act directly hurts this section. He also appealed to the people to be sensitive towards the needs of the persons with disabilities and work towards creating an inclusive society.

More than 500 special children and differently-abled persons along with their guardians and attendants attended the programme.

GOLAGHAT: The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) was observed on Saturday by the District Social Welfare Office, Golaghat , in the presence of officials of the Health department, CDPOs of each ICDS block, staffs of POSHAN, DHEW, and differently-abled people of different areas of Golaghat district.

The DSWO, Gauri Priya Deori gave a speech on the rights and available schemes for differently-abled people. Biswavijay Bora, president of Ujoni Asom Protibondhi Suraksha Parishad, highlighted the issues of people with disabilities. Again Dr Bipul Kumar Das, DIO of health department, created awareness on issues related to UDID cards and pensions. A felicitation ceremony of the differently-abled people was also held.

SIVASAGAR: "The basic human rights has to be protected and promoted," said Dr Sabyasachi Mahanta, noted columnist and Principal of Gargaon College on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

To mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Department of Education, English and Central Library of Gargaon College in collaboration with IQAC, organized an online talk on life skills for coping with disabilities on December 3. The resource person invited for the talk was Dr Bhaskar Bora, physician, motivational speaker, disability and cancer advocate, UK, London.

While inaugurating the programme, the Principal of the college, Dr Sabyasachi Mahanta, elucidated the significance of the observation of International Day of Persons with Disabilities which is observed every year on December 3 to promote the rights and equality towards the disabled people of society. Dr Mahanta said that United Nations has established for the call of equality and with this motto, it is of utmost necessity to create awareness for promoting an understanding of disability issues and mobilizing support for their healthy living. He stressed inclusive development, equity and equality and to inculcate self-confidence among the disabled people so that they can establish themselves in mainstream society. He also added that the fundamental rights and the basic human rights has to be protected for promoting the well being of people with disabilities.

The invited speaker, Dr Bhaskar Bora highlighted various issues of disability. Sharing his experiences, he threw light on various situations, struggles and adversities that he encountered in his life. He said that disability is not a failure. "We must appreciate our struggles," he added. The adversity should be taken as an opportunity, a chance to redefine oneself.

Dr Bora said that a collective effort is much needed to promote the rights, dignity and well-being of the disabled people. Management comes in all perspectives of life. Acceptance is the first measure step towards positive development. He further said that it is important to carry on with desire and with perseverance and belief. His motivational speech encouraged the participants to develop awareness and a genuine understanding of a positive approach for success. The programme ended with a fruitful interaction by the participants mediated by Janardan Chetia, Guest Faculty, Department of English. Dr Anjan Konwar, Assistant Professor of the Department of English, acted as moderator of the programme.

DEMOW: The Samagra Siksha Abhijan (SAA) Sivasagar district, under the initiative of Demow Education Block and in association with Block Guardian Committee, observed the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Demow Girls' High School on Saturday.

The programme started with cleanliness drive which was followed by flag hoisting, smiti tarpan and saplings plantation. Cultural programmes and a discussion were organized among students. A health camp was also organized. In order to encourage the divyangs, they were presented awards. Subhan Gowala, District Development Commissioner (DDC), Sivasagar district, and Kamal Gogoi, Inspector of Schools of Sivasagar district, were present in the programme as chief guests.

GAURISAGAR: Along with rest of the country, Samagra Abhiyan Mission of Amguri Elementary Education Block in Sivasagar district observed International Divangya Divas at Charing Dhaniram Gogoi ME School on the outskirts of Gaurisagar in association with Block Guardians Committee on Saturday.

On this occasion, drawing, music and ball throwing competitions were held amongst divyang students. A free health check-up camp was also held in the school premises initiated by Gaurisagar BPHC. In the function, aids like tricycles were distributed among the divyangs. Diganta Gogoi, CRCR of Hatighuli Zone, chaired it where Promod Baruah, BEEO, Amguri Education Block took part as an speaker.

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