Puri: SASHAKT CAMPAIGN ( a campaign to promote greater awareness and inclusion of people with disabilities, knowledge about the laws, existing government facilities to society by Odisha State disability Network) was flagged off on 9th May at 9 am from the front of Lord Jagannath’s temple by Maj Gen B.K.Mohapatra, AVSM, Chairman of Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan, Ajay Agarwal, District Governor Rotary International District 3262, Dr. Sruti Mohapatra, Chair Sashakt State Coordination Committee, Sannyas Behera, DSSO HQ, Madhu bhai, State Convenor NYP, Veejayant Dash, Designs Supervisor of Sashakt Campaign, and Senior Guest Faculty NIFT, Madab Chandra Barada, DSSO Puri, Mihir Mohanty, Coordinator Sashakt Campaign, Basant Mishra SNADYP, DPC Soundary Manari Das, and Dr. Annapurna Devi, member Swabhiman. Doot, the campaign vehicle, moved along with 400 people cheering, singing campaign songs and carrying the flags.
The district headquarter meeting, coordinated by district partners and was held at 10.30am in Town Hall, Puri. Dr. Sruti Mohapatra started with briefing about the campaign, the thought, the need, and the reach. Campaign details including the route, the district coordination details and the activities were shared by Mihir Mohanty, Campaign Coordinator. “All residents of Odisha have a lot to offer our society, including those with disabilities who are often left behind,” said Dr. Sruti Mohapatra, Convenor of Odisha State Disability Network (OSDN) and the Chairperson of Sashakt State Coordination Committee. During Sashakt Campaign ( 9 May 2018 – 30 November 2019), and all the years ahead, we will focus on inclusion and help everyone in our state live more self-determined independent lives.”This was followed by addresses of Rtn. Ajay Agarwal, Veejayant Dash faculty N.I.F.T District Governor, Rotary Dist. 3260, Sanyas Behera (DSSO head quarter) and Madhubhai, State Convenor NYP. The program included presentation on RPWD Act 2016, an exhibition of achievers, laws in alternate formats, The depart ment of culture has joined hands by arranging cultural programme like pala. campaign songs, and talent shows by youth and children with disabilities also added colors to the event.The campaign note, route map, route plan including the various halting points were shared with all. The campaign flagged off at Puri will end at Nayagarh on 13th June. On 20th June a first phase closing will be done where expressions from the ground will sharing will be held. It is planned to reach 1 million people by 30 November 2019.Network partners Odisha Youth Red Cross, NSS, NYP, NYKS, OAB, NAB, APIL, BGVS were also present.The aim of SASHAKT is to create a “Buzz on Disability, Diversity and Inclusion in Odisha.”In Numbers• • Make 500000 PWDs to be knowledgeable about law.• • Reach 10,00,000 people to understand about inclusion.• → To raise awareness throughout society, including at the family level, regarding persons with disabilities, and to foster respect for the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities;• → To combat stereotypes, prejudices and harmful practices relating to persons with disabilities, including those based on sex and age, in all areas of life;• → To promote awareness of the capabilities and contributions of persons with disabilities• • Build capacity of 5000 people/organizations to become change agents.
One of the unique features of this campaign is participation of students. 21 students from BJB, KIIT, NIFT, Symbiosis and TISS have created logo, designs, website and are addressing media, publicity and documentation.Campaign is supported by SSEPD Department, GOO, GAIL, ONGC, IOL, ONGC, Aditya Birla Capital, Reliance Foundation, Odisha Police, Dept. of Culture GoO, Dept. of HFW GoO, Rotary international, CYSD among others.
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