Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar today inaugurated the 11-day long Divya Kala Mela, a unique initiative of Government of India towards the economic empowerment of Divyangjan, at Gulshan Ground here, an official press release informed.
The Divya Kala Mela being organised by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment in collaboration with the National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC) showcased the extraordinary talent, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of Divyang artisans and entrepreneurs, and artists from across J&K UT and various other States and UTs.
In his address, the LG expressed gratitude to the Government of India and all the stakeholders associated with the noble endeavour. He said the Divya Kala Mela “reflects the Prime Minister’s commitment to make Divyangjan economically empowered and self-reliant”.
Reiterating his resolve to bring qualitative change in the lives of Divyangjan, the LG said the Union Territory of J&K is committed to create a conducive environment to provide equal opportunities and protect rights of Divyangjan (differently-abled persons).
“I always believe in God’s gift and doing good for others. I have made the administration’s primary goal to take steps that will lead to mainstreaming of Divyangjan in society.
In 2020 I had introduced a multi-faceted approach in Administration so that Divyangjan can realise their potential and become active participants in the development process”, the LG said.
The LG highlighted the dedicated efforts made by the J&K administration to make assistive devices accessible to differently-abled.
“I want to make sure every Divyangjan has access to Assistive Equipment that empowers them and minimizes the disability impact. Devices like hearing aids, wheel chairs, limb prosthetics and motorised Scooty, which improve functional capacity and help the differently-abled to live independently has been made available to them in far flung areas of Union Territory,” the LG added.
The LG urged the individual and social service organisations to help Divyangjan in procuring suitable devices as per their needs.
He also urged the innovators of J&K UT to invent more user-friendly aids and devices for Divyangjan with the help of modern technology.
The LG also directed the Social Welfare Department to work on mission mode for skilling of Divyangjans.
He further shared the dedicated measures taken by the administration to encourage the private sector to provide employment opportunities to Divyangjan and the necessary changes made in the reservation policy in government jobs based on various benchmarks.
The LG urged the Union Minister to organize a mega fair for Divyangjan in Jammu division and Kashmir division.
He also thanked the Union Minister for his assurance to provide a platform for the Divyang artisans and entrepreneurs of J&K in fairs in other parts of the country.
The LG and the Union Minister visited the stalls set up by Divyang artisans and entrepreneurs, various government institutions and civil society groups. They also handed over mobility devices and sanction letters to the beneficiaries.
The LG assured all the support and necessary handholding by the administration to the participating artisans and entrepreneurs in scaling-up their business and marketing of their products.
Sakina Itoo, Minister for Social Welfare J&K; Jugal Kishore Sharma, Member of Parliament; Sanjeev Verma, Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department, J&K; Rajeev Sharma, Joint Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, GoI; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; senior officials, representatives of various social organizations, artists, artisans and entrepreneurs, and people from all walks of life were present.
Union minister Virender Kumar meets LG; distributes PPE kits, Ayushman cards to SSWs
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virender Kumar on Friday met the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha here, officials said.
The minister was in Jammu to distribute Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits and Ayushman health cards to Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) under the flagship scheme of National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE).
The Union minister called on Sinha at Raj Bhavan and discussed welfare measures being taken by the government with an objective of providing dignity to Safai Karamcharis and empowering them socially and economically, the officials said.
During the visit, the minister also visited the outreach and drop-in centre (ODIC), run by the NGO, ‘JK Society for the Promotion of Youth and Masses’ at Jammu, under the Scheme of National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR).
The event witnessed the reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to ‘Vanchiton Ko Variyata’, ensuring that those who have been historically underserved or overlooked are given the attention and support they deserve.
This dedication to prioritizing the marginalized reflects the government’s broader vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’, where every individual has the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from India’s development journey, Kumar said.
Earlier, the minister distributed Personal PPE kits and Ayushman health cards to SSWs at a separate function, highlighting that the NAMASTE scheme is to ensure safety and dignity of sanitation workers in urban India and enhancing their occupational safety through capacity building and improved access to PPE Kits, safety devices and machines.
PPE kits consist of various protective garments and accessories designed to shield individuals from potential health hazards or infections. These kits typically include items such as masks, gloves, goggles, face shields, gowns, and shoe covers.
They are crucial for ensuring the safety of frontline workers, especially those who are exposed to hazardous environments or infectious diseases, such as sewer and septic tank workers, the minister said.
He said the Ayushman health card is a form of identification issued under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), a government-sponsored health insurance scheme in India.
It provides beneficiaries with access to cashless and paperless healthcare services at empaneled hospitals, he said, adding the card contains essential information about the beneficiary, including their unique identification number and details of covered healthcare services.
Through collaborative efforts and concerted initiatives, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment remains steadfast in its mission to leave no one behind and build a more equitable and empowered society, the minister said.(PTI)
