TEZPUR, Dec 4 - Along with rest of the State, the Sonitpur district administration in association with the Sonitpur district chapter of Social Welfare department and the District Legal Services Authority, Sonitpur observed the International Day of Persons with Disabilities here on Thursday.
On the occasion, a rally was flagged off at the District Library in the morning by ADC, Sonitpur, Liza Talukdar. The rally passed through the town via Zila Parishad-Veggie Foods point-Borgula Chariali and culminated at District Library. Various officials of the Social Welfare department along with Anganwadi workers and other staff of the department took part in the rally. It was followed by a meeting at the District Library. The meeting held under the aegis of president, Sonitpur Journalists� Union, Sanjiv Hazarika was attended by Deputy Commissioner Manvendra Pratap Singh as the chief guest.
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 to them so that they can live an independent life. He also appealed to the people to be sensitive towards the needs of the 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 work towards removing all such barriers for PwDs.
Divisional Program Officer and i/c DSWO spoke about various government schemes being implemented for PwDs. Secretary, DLSA, Asma Begum spoke about the legal provisions and laws in the country, specially made for the assistance of PwDs and how they are entitled to free legal assistance.
Utpal Bhuyan, president, Uttar Assam Dibyanga Santha highlighted various issues faced by PwDs in availing government schemes and appealed to the district administration to initiate steps to address these issues. Binay Baishya of the DDRC Sonitpur informed all present that all PwDs can now apply online for Unique Disability ID at http://www.swavlambancard.gov.in by uploading all requisite documents and that there was no need to physically visit the DDRC to avail the same.
ADC Liza Talukdar gave the vote of thanks. The programme was conducted by DCPO, Tezpur ICDS Ruby Kalita.
Our Correspondent from Hailakandi adds: The International Day of Persons with Disabilities was observed in a befitting manner in Hailakandi with various programmes on Thursday.
At a programme organised by the Madhayamik Siksha Abhiyaan at Public HS School, District Development Commissioner, Ranajeet Kumar Laskar said that the government has taken up a slew of initiatives for the differently-abled persons and children with special needs, including job reservation for the disabled persons. Laskar urged the people to consider the differently-abled as an asset of the society as they have immense potential for contributing to the betterment of the society.
Inspector of Schools cum District Programme Coordinator, Rashtriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhiyaan, IH Barbhuiya spoke on the significance of the day.
Principal of Public HS School and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Prerona Awards were conferred on Assistant Teacher of Public HS School, Hailakandi, Anowar Hussain Ahmed for his commendable work in providing succour to children with special needs and to Junaid Ahmed Barbhuiya, a Class XI student of Public HS School, Hailakandi with disabilities for his success in HSLC exam this year.
Mrinali Paul, a student of Class XI of Adarsha Vidyalaya, Aloicherra with physical locomotive impairment was also given certificate of appreciation for his success in HSLC exam this year.
Assistant Teacher, Nidu Purkayastha of AC Girls� HS School, Kalinagar and Assistant Teacher, Satyajit Chakraborty of NT Model High School, Kalacherra were given certificates of appreciation for providing academic support to children with special needs.
In another programme held at 519 no. Dayamoyee Pathsala, unique ID cards and blankets were distributed among persons with disabilities by District Social Welfare Officer, Jyotirmoy Daimary, Chief Health and Medical Officer, Dr Ramesh Chandra Dwivedy, Secretary, Barak Valley Handicapped Welfare Society and Headmaster of 519 no. Dayamoyee Pathsala.
Speaking on the occasion, District Social Welfare Officer, Daimary said the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. �It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life,� he added.
Chief Health and Medical Officer, Dr Dwivedy said disability is not considered as a state of inability and underscored the need for society to inculcate a sense of compassion among all human beings on Earth.
District Coordinator, Poshan Abhiyaan, Rajat Chakraborty said World Disabled Day held every year aims to acknowledge the issues faced by persons with disabilities (PwD) around the world. He asked the persons with disabilities to apply online for obtaining unique identity card to avail various benefits.
The day is being promoted by the United Nations since 1992 and observed with varying degrees of success around the globe. Each year, the day focuses on a different issue. The theme for IDPwD 2020 is � �Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 World.�
As per Census 2001, over 21 million people in India are suffering from one or the other kind of disability. This is equivalent to 2.1% of the population. Among the total disabled in the country, 12.6 million are males and 9.3 million are females.
