Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot’s talk on Government of India’s work towards people with disabilities.
Shri Gehlot begins his talk with appreciation for the work the community has been doing towards empowering people with disability. He cites that as per the national census conducted by Government of India in 2011 about 2,68,00,000 people are with some form of disability. Though this number doesn’t accurately indicate the actual numbers, it’s a sizeable part of the Indian Population. With the new definition of disability currently part of the bill tabled in the parliament this number is only going to go up as 19 types of disability will be added against the current 7 types. Shri Gehlot mentions that the traditional Indian culture propagates a right to a good life to all despite their disability. A good life in terms of physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. His ministry (of social justice and empowerment) under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken it as a duty to work for the upliftment of people with disabilities.
One important project that the ministry has undertaken is Sugamya Bharat under which various public building and landmarks have been identified across 50 cities and these would be made accessible for people with disabilities. Be it public bus stand, railway station or offices; all of them would be made accessible. The ministry has also gone ahead and arranged for free cochlear implants to 300 hearing impaired kids under the age of 8. Motorized tricycle has been provided to 500 people with disability so that they could be self-employed in services like delivering newspapers, milk, ice creams etc. to people’s doorstep. Also the government has undertaken a monumental task of upskilling about 5 lakh people before 2019.
During his talk, Shri Gehlot also praises the work done by India Inclusion Summit in building the platform so that people with disabilities could showcase their talent. He also commended the work done by Azim Premji Foundation, Bosch, EMC, EnAble India, SAP labs in promoting employability and building accessible solutions for people with disabilities. He sought active cooperation and suggestions from the various organizations and communities participating in India Inclusion Summit and together wants to achieve ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’ (Collective Efforts towards Inclusive growth).
About India Inclusion Summit
India Inclusion Summit is a community driven Initiative that brings together thought leaders from the field of inclusion to deliberate, discuss and take forward diverse talents available in our society. The Summit is an egalitarian platform attracting people from a range of fields. Along with you, we aspire to create the world’s largest platform that fosters diversity and inclusion in the society. And, we dream to inspire 10 million lives in our journey of inclusion by 2020
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About Thaawar Chand Gehlot:
Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot is the current (2014- ) Cabinet minister in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. He is a Rajya Sabha MP from Madhya Pradesh. Shri Gehlot started working as a worker in Grasim Industries in 1965. He has headed various labor movements and has been jailed during the Emergency in 1975. In 1991, Shri Gehlot had undertaken a march (padayatra) of 310 km in support of the Special Literacy Movement. He has also been part of Central Committees for Labor welfare, Road Transport and Construction worker’s committee.
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