GUWAHATI:
Stating that specially-abled children hold immense potential, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on April 7, said that the government has taken several initiatives to empower the divyangjans, including scholarships and other financial assistance.
“The state government under the Deendayal Divyang Pension Scheme is paying Rs Rs 1000 monthly to more than one lakh beneficiaries, and divyang people have benefitted from the Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme. In addition to that, specially-abled persons across the state were given more than 1.20 lakh UDID cards,” Sarma said, during the National Health Fest for Divyang children organised as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, on Thursday.
Addressing the gathering, Sarma called upon the parents of specially-abled children below six years with hearing difficulty to take the benefits of government sponsored Sneha Sparsha scheme and get free cochlear implants so that they can lead a normal life.
Stating that taking care of the divyangjans is integral to inclusive growth, he mentioned that the centre too has accorded special status to them.
Referring to the success stories of specially-abled artists like Sudha Chandran, Rabindra Jain, mountaineer Arunima Sinha, paralympic medal winners Sumit Antil, Avani Lekhara and Bhavina Patel, among others, the chief minister said that the lives and achievements of these personalities are testimonies of the indomitable power of specially-abled people.
To mark the occasion, Sarma also presented mementoes to some specially-abled athletes for their good show in international events.
Attending the do, social welfare minister Ajanta Neog also highlighted various schemes of the department and said every conscious citizen must help divyangjans lead a normal life.
Organised by Special Olympic Bharat in association with the social welfare department, and the health and family welfare department, the National Health Fest is an effort to provide consultations on dental health and other health parameters of people with intellectual disabilities.
The event was organised in 75 cities across the country with the projected participation of more than 75 thousand children and athletes with intellectual disabilities.
The event was also attended by State BJP president and MLA Bhabesh Kalita, MLA Hemanga Thakuria, chief executive member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Tuliram Ronghang and other dignitaries.