International Day of Persons with Disabilities observed in Tezpur

CORRESPONDENTS

Tezpur: The International Day for Persons with Disabilities was observed on Thursday at Tezpur by various organizations, including North Assam Divang Association, Tezpur, Sonitpur district administration and District Social Welfare Office, in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority, Sonitpur, with day-long programmes. The programme at SankardevNatyaMandir started with hosting of the flag of the association by Mridul Kumar Borah, president of North Assam Divang Association Tezpur, and inauguration of plantation programme by the vice-president of the association, RiazAnchari and JituNath.

The meeting held in this connection was presided over by Binoy Borah, social worker and cultural activist. Kamal Borah, Director of PradhanMantriKaushalVikash Kendra, and SeemaRekha Borah, president of MazgaonGaonPanchayat, were also present.

Attending the programme, journalist and cultural activist Dip Kumar Kalita said that all concerned, including the civil society and the government should stand for the well-being of the specially-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 directly hurts this section, he said.

The Sonitpur district administration also jointly celebrated at the District Library auditorium. A rally in this connection was flagged off from District Library early in the morning by Additional Deputy Commissioner Liza Talukdar where various officials of the social welfare department along with Anganwadi workers and other staff of the department took part. The meeting held in this connection was presided over by president of Sonitpur Journalists' Union, SanjivHazarika. Deputy Commissioner ManvendraPratap Singh was the chief guest on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner spoke about the need to take up inclusive policies for persons with disabilities and create a barrier-free environment and provide universal accessibility for them so that they can live an independent life. He also appealed to the people to be sensitive towards the needs of persons with disabilities and work towards creating an inclusive society. He also asked all government officials present to take into account all challenges faced by PwDs while taking up new schemes and plans and work towards removing all such barriers for PwDs.

Divisional Programme Officer and i/c DSWO spoke about the various government schemes being implemented for PwDs. Secretary, DLSA, AsmaRahman spoke about the legal provisions and laws in the country especially made for the assistance of PwDs and how they are entitled to free legal assistance.

Goalpara: With an aim to promote understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities, the Social Welfare Department, Goalpara, in collaboration with the district administration, observed the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Thursday. Nileswar Ray of the Department of Social Welfare (DSW) presided over the meeting arranged in the DSW office and focused on the challenges faced by the persons with disabilities. He also discussed the beneficial schemes for them.

AbhijitBasu, Joint Director of Health Services, emphasized upon working in close coordination with the social welfare department in order to provide better service to this special section. Abdul Jobbar from the office of the Joint Director of Health Services informed the house about the quality service being provided by the department in order to make available the disability certificates to the beneficiaries.

Other speakers like Sanjay Hazarika of IDA also spoke at length on the issue. Representatives from Mahila Shakti Kendra, ICDS, Poshan and other NGOs attended the programme.

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