President Droupadi Murmu interacts with an Officer Trainee of Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Indirect Taxes), at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
| Photo Credit: PTI
President of India Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday (December 3) conferred the National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities to 22 individuals and 11 institutions in recognition of their contributions to the sector, highlighting the “courage and determination of persons with disabilities”, and calling them a “source of inspiration” for society.
In her address, the President said that these awards have a far-reaching social significance, noting that they not only celebrate the achievements of the awardees in their respective fields but also “serve as motivation for society at large”.
December 3 is celebrated globally as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and this year’s theme was ‘Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future’. Noting this, Ms. Murmu said that “promoting entrepreneurship among Divyangjan, developing their skills, providing employment, purchasing their products, and providing marketing facilities will enhance their leadership potential”.
Among this year’s awardees are 22 individuals under six sub-categories, including one for children with disabilities, and 11 institutions under eight sub-categories, which included district administrations and State disability departments. The awardees included social workers, entrepreneurs, lawyers, doctors, sportspersons, athletes, and Paralympians under the category of Individual Excellence, whereas several NGOs and private sector outfits were among those awarded in the category of Institutional Empowerment – for their efforts in providing accessible spaces for persons with disabilities and providing jobs and skills training to them.
During her address, Ms. Murmu also called for a shift in societal attitudes, saying persons with disabilities “need empathy, not sympathy. They deserve natural affection, not special attention. Above all, they should experience respect.”
She noted that having a disability is not a limitation but a “special condition” that demands tailored support. “Special training, counselling, and facilities must be provided for their needs. While the government is giving priority to their welfare, society must also step forward to prioritise their inclusion,” she said.
The President notably also pointed to the remarkable achievements of Divyangjan in various fields, particularly sports. “In the 2012 Paralympics, India secured just one medal. However, in 2024, awareness and support for Divyangjan have resulted in our athletes winning 29 medals. This progress reflects our growing sensitivity and commitment to their empowerment,” she said.
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar also attended the ceremony, where he stressed on the government’s “unwavering commitment” to the “economic, social, and educational empowerment of persons with disabilities”. While lauding the awardees for their achievements, the Minister said, “Persons with disabilities play a vital role in realising Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi’s vision of a developed and self-reliant India by 2047.”
Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, was also present at the ceremony where he said that this year’s awardees showcased a diverse spectrum of talent and dedication.
Published – December 03, 2024 09:01 pm IST