Prez Kovind presented ‘National Award’ for Divyangjan Empowerment, urges to create a sensitive and harmonious society

New Delhi, December 3: President Ram Nath Kovind, presented the National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, today.

The President said that our Constitution guarantees equality, freedom, justice and dignity to all citizens, including the Divyang. The Government has enacted laws for the empowerment, inclusion and mainstreaming of differently-abled persons.

“No Divyang person should be evaluated by his or her physical ability, but by his or her intellect, knowledge and courage.”

President Kovind congratulated the award winners and said he was optimistic they would inspire other differently abled persons to strive to reach new heights. He also expressed confidence that citizens of our country will build an inclusive New India, with an appropriate and sensitive approach to our Divyang fellow Indians.

According to Census 2011, there are 2.68 crore persons with disabilities in our country who exhibit great diversity in terms of quantum of disability as well as types of disabilities.

To give focussed attention to the schemes and programmes for empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, a new Department under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment came into existence during the year 2012. Since then, a number of new schemes and programmes for the empowerment of persons with disabilities have been added. On the other hand, the financial outlay for the department is also going up every year.

The National Awards for empowerment of persons with disabilities have been notified in the year 2013. Now there are 14 broad categories for individuals and institutions consisting of 58 awards. The awards consist of a certificate to each, and medal or shield in some categories as also with cash component amounting to Rs. 43.50 Lakhs.