Shillong, Feb 15: Pratima Bhowmik, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, jelled with the disabled on February 15 with ease at a function held at Composite Regional Centre for Skill Development, Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (CRC- Shillong), Montfort Brothers Building, Dhankheti.
She mingled with the disabled, distributed sweets to those who were present , including some media persons.
She also embraced children who were in distress and was free for selfie with those who asked for it.
At one point of time, she consoled a weeping youth after she distributed sweets.
The minister inaugurated the Skilled Training Programme under PM-DAKSH (Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi) Yojana, for Persons With Disabilities (Divyangjan). She also distributed NIRAMAYA Health Cards and certificates for awareness generation programme which was held from February 7 to 9.
Ten persons from Shillong enrolled for the training programme in the event.
Addressing the gathering, Bhoumik said the Centre is committed towards the empowerment of Divyangjan and is working on the vision of the Prime Minister by serving the last man. The minister said that commitment is evident from the fact that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the North East around 64 times since 2014, while his Council of Ministers had also visited the North East more than 450 times. The result is a miraculous transformation in the region and her department has also left no stone unturned to provide the Divyangjan with opportunities for inclusive development.
She underscored the need for the skill training programme for empowerment of Divyangs and added that her department is always ready to extend any kind of support to meet the need required for their welfare. The initiatives launched by the department encompass a wide range of transformative actions, reflecting the government’s relentless pursuit of a more inclusive society, she added. The initiatives reflect DEPwD’s unwavering dedication to advancing disability rights and harnessing technology to improve the lives of persons with disabilities across the nation, she added.
She informed the gathering about the details of the schemes being implemented by the department for Divyangjan. She said that Divyangjans are an integral part of human resource and the Central Government is committed to build a capable environment in every possible way for inclusive opportunity for Divyangjan.
She lauded the efforts of the Composite Regional Centre for Skill Development, Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (CRC- Shillong) in providing better services to the disabled. The minister specially appreciated the services rendered by the centre to the differently-abled by conducting various medical treatments and vocational training classes for their speedy recovery. She listened to the success stories narrated by the beneficiaries. The minister also appreciated the efforts put forward by the state government in taking forward the initiatives of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for benefit of the divyangs of the state.
The programme was also attended by the Commissioner & Secretary, Social Welfare Department Pravin Bakshi, Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Sabrella B Marak and other officials of the state government.
