GUWAHATI:
Oil India Ltd (OIL) signed a long-term memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a Duliajan-based non-government organization, Mrinaljyoti Rehabilitation Centre (MRC) for providing self-employment to persons with disabilities (PwD).
The MoU was signed on March 31 under the oil company’s flagship CSR intervention, ‘OIL Sakshyam’, for empowering PwDs.
The MoU was signed by Prasanta Borkakoty, regional chief executive (RCE) on behalf of OIL and Amiya Pathak Borpujari, secretary & founder of MRC.
“The terms of the MoU will provide financial assistance towards an annual grant for running of MRC through the extension of services (via the centres located in Duliajan, Digboi and Rajgarh) and up-gradation of ‘Pushpadalum’, a vocational learning centre for skill and capacity building of Children with Disabilities (CwDs) and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs),” an official of OIL said.
“In the long run, the MoU will provide equitable, inclusive and accessible opportunities for CwDs and PwDs while upholding their human rights reflective of India’s action towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030,” he said.
Rajeev Baruah, ED (HR & admin), OIL, Bhairab Bhuyan, ED (instrumentation), OIL, Arunjyoti Baruah, CGM (HR-field admin), OIL, Debashis Bora, GM (PA), OIL, senior officials of OIL, management of MRC, children & persons with disabilities, parents and media were present on the occasion.
Mrinaljyoti Rehabilitation Centre started with the goal to endeavour for the care and welfare of physically challenged persons and children in a healthy and amicable surroundings. We are now running a vocational centre to impart livelihood trainings to persons with disabilities through vocational training,” said Amiya Pathak Borpujari, secretary & founder of MRC.
“The vocational centre got named Pushpdalum, ‘Pusph’ meaning flower and ‘Dalum’ meaning petals. Pushpdalum is an employment opportunity offered for PwDs of age 15 years and above. It caters to children who cannot complete their formal education but are capable of doing work independently and with dignity within the school campus,” Barpujari said.
“To professionalize the PwD and CwD, we are providing vocational training on sewing, weaving, embroidery, knitting and other trades,” she added.