Accessible India Campaign to achieve universal accessibility for persons with disabilities launched
Accessible India Campaign to
achieve universal accessibility for persons with disabilities launched
National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities presented
National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities presented
Union Minister of Finance,
Shri Arun Jaitley along with Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri
Thaawarchand Gehlot today launched “Accessible India Campaign”(Sugamya Bharat
Abhiyan), a nationwide campaign that will enable persons with disabilities to
gain universal access, equal opportunity for development, independent living
and participation in all aspects of life in an inclusive society.
Under the campaign, atleast 50% of all the government buildings of National Capital and all the State capitals will be made fully accessible for persons with disabilities by July 2018. All the international airports in the country and railway stations of A1, A & B categories will be made fully accessible by July 2016. As per campaign drafted by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, atleast 10% of government owned public transport carriers in the country will be converted into fully accessible carriers for these persons by March 2018. It will also be ensured that atleast 50% of all public documents issued by the Central Government and the State Governments meet accessibility standards for persons with disabilities by March 2018.
Shri Arun Jaitley along with Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot also presented the National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, in a function organised by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment here today. Minister of States, Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar, and Shri Vijay Sampla were also present on the occasion.
In a message for the occasion Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi said that proposed smart cities should have the provisions for full accessibility for person with disabilities. He said that, all Central Ministries and States should make all efforts to make “Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan” successful. Congratulating the awardees the Prime Minister said that “we should consider replacing ‘Viklang’ word with ‘Divayang”.
Lunching the campaign and presenting the awards, Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley said it is the society's responsibility to take up the campaign in mission mode. Sugamya Bharat is a right step towards inclusive society. Accessibility for persons with disability to all infrastructure and activities should be one of the parameters of our development. Shri Jaitley said mass awareness should be created about the issue of accessibility for these persons.
Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot said that the Government has taken a number of initiatives for the empowerment of persons with disabilities which include scholarships separate institute for deaf and dumb persons and development of new brail language. The Government has also decided to set up a special University for persons with disabilities with the cost of Rs. 1700 crore. It will start functioning with next academic year. He said that accessible India Campaign will empower persons with disabilities further.
A web portal and mobile application for creating a crowd sourcing platform to get information about inaccessible was also launched on the occasion.
The National Awards are conferred on 3rd December every year on the ‘International Day of Persons with Disabilities’ on outstanding Persons with Disabilities; individuals and organizations that are working for the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
This year, the National Awards were conferred on 52 individuals/institutions under fourteen broad categories. One Award pertaining to the year 2014 was also conferred during this year. List of National Award winners can be accessed on https://goo.gl/nmVIJc.
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Closing Ceremony and Award
Presentation for 1st International Film Festival for Persons with Disabilities
Shri Thaawar Chand
Gehlot, Honb'le Union Minsiter for Social Justice & Empowerment presented
the awards at the closing ceremony of the 1st International Film Festival for
the persons with disabilities. Shri Vijay Sampla, Minister of State for Social
Justice & Empowerment & Col Rajyawardhan Rathore, Minister of State for
Information & Broadcasting were also present in the event. Speaking on the
occasion Shri Vivek Oberoi renowned actor said that it is heartening to see
that we are trying to build an inclusive society.
Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot said that in the first year itself we have received 500 entries for the film festival which in itself a big feat. In the years to come we may expect this film festival to achieve more success and achieve its objective. He also said that this is the first time a Film Festival for the persons with disabilities is being conducted in the country.
Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot said that in the first year itself we have received 500 entries for the film festival which in itself a big feat. In the years to come we may expect this film festival to achieve more success and achieve its objective. He also said that this is the first time a Film Festival for the persons with disabilities is being conducted in the country.
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Proposal for Constitutional
Status to OBC Commission
A proposal to
further empower the National Commission for Backward Classes is at present
under examination.
The amendment in the Constitution would be required to empower the Commission as mentioned in (a) above.
This information was given by the Minister of State, Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha here today.
The amendment in the Constitution would be required to empower the Commission as mentioned in (a) above.
This information was given by the Minister of State, Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha here today.
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