Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik conferred the State Awards to individuals and organisations for rendering remarkable services for the cause of People with Disabilities (PwDs) here today.
Chief Minister also launched Web Portal/ Mobile App which will be very much
instrumental to the cause of such people and this will pave way for more efficient redressal and interventions. Hon’ble Chief Minister distributed laptops and tri-cycles to the PwD beneficiaries.
Chief Minister graced a colourful programme on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities today, organised by the Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, (SSEPD) Govt. of Odisha. This was the valedictory function of a 3 day long programme organised on the occasion. The Day is observed with the theme of promoting the participation of Persons with Disabilities and their leadership.
Sri Ashok Chandra Panda, Minister, Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with
Disabilities said that people with disabilities worldwide face many barriers and they need inclusion in many key aspects of society and development. Sri Panda also highlighted on the activities broadly focused on the security, welfare and wellbeing of such people, undertaken by the Department.
State awards were given to Rabi Sabara (Nuapara), Madan Mohan Choudhury
(Bhadrak) as best employee/self employed, Smt. Gajalaxmi Ray (Puri), Suresh Chandra Behera (Khorda) for best achievement in rehabilitation works, Rakhal Kumar Sethi (Bhadrak) and Anuskhya Acharya (Khorda) as best sports Person with Disabilities, Amarendra Nath (Rayagara) for best exemplary service by individuals for PwDs and Sri Debasis Senapaty (Khorda) as best PwD performer in performing/fine arts while Sambalpur district got the best award for its remarkable work in PwD Sector. Each individual Awardees received Rs.
25,000/i- cash while Rs. 50,000/- was given to Sambalpur District.
Sri Bhaskar Sarma, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Department, while
welcoming the guests and audience said that the Department is carefully identifying core issues of the PwDs and extending substantial interventions to have more participation of PwDs in socio-economic environment. Smt. Bratatee Harichandan, Director of the Department proposed the vote of thanks. Among others Smt. Sulochana Das, Chairperson, Odisha State Commission for PwDs, Sri Ananta N. Jena, MLA, Sri Susanta Rout, MLA and Sri Pradosh Rout, Zonal Head of ICICI Bank were present on the dais.
The 3 day long programmes included an exhibition with 62 stalls, showcasing the
various products prepared by PwD Self Help Groups, materials manufactured by Advanced Rehabilitation Centre of the Department and dissemination of information on the activities of different organisations working for the PwDs. More than 200 PwD artists from special schools, under the Department presented song, folk dance and modern dance and acting. A Film festival on Disability Awareness was held in the IDCOL Auditorium in which more than 70 Short and Documentary films were screened.
Photography Exhibition was also organised, that incorporated photographs taken by a number of amateur and professional photographers through a photography competition. The winners were also awarded in the valedictory function graced by Hon’ble Chief Minister. The Film Festival and the exhibition were inaugurated by Sri Sarma, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Department. A walkathon was organised in the morning that covered distance from Rajmahal Square to Adivasi Exhibition Ground.
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