CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: A one-day training and counseling camp for the empowerment and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities was organized at J.N.S. Government College, Shujalpur, under the joint aegis of Madhya Pradesh Bhoj (Open) University and the Composite Regional Centre (CRC), Bhopal for Skill Development, Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
Addressing the उद्घाटन (inaugural) session, Higher Education, Technical Education and AYUSH Minister Inder Singh Parmar stated that providing some form of employment to persons with disabilities is the government’s objective, and Madhya Pradesh Bhoj (Open) University has been directed to impart employment-oriented education. He emphasized that persons with disabilities should strengthen their willpower. “We want to train them in small but meaningful skills so they can secure employment and develop confidence that they are not a burden on their families, but rather capable contributors who can support them,” he said.
Parmar described the camp as a small yet significant service initiative undertaken in Shujalpur, fulfilling the government’s responsibility. Through such camps, persons with disabilities are assessed, issued certificates, and provided assistive devices by both the Government of India and the Government of Madhya Pradesh. He added that the Janpad Panchayat team would survey participants from across Shujalpur and, based on recommendations, efforts would be made to connect them with employment opportunities through government schemes and public cooperation. He urged beneficiaries to shed the notion of weakness and move forward with determination, assuring them of full government support and encouraging them not to consider any employment opportunity as small.
During the programme, the Minister inspected the camp, interacted with beneficiaries and experts, listened to their concerns, and directed concerned departmental officials to take appropriate action for resolution.
Earlier, Dr. Hemant Singh Keshwal, Director of the Department of Special Education at Madhya Pradesh Bhoj (Open) University, presented the outline of the programme. He informed that a prior training camp had been organized on January 16 for Anganwadi workers, ASHA health workers, teachers, special educators, and social workers. At the present camp, registrations were conducted for assistive devices, and persons without a Unique Disability ID (UDID) were examined and registered for card issuance. Identified beneficiaries would be provided assistive devices in the next camp.
The Shajapur district administration actively supported the camp, including Dr. Sanjay Khandaywal, Dr. Kiran Aathiya, Dr. Tejpal Singh Jadaun, Dr. Ravindra Gupta, Dr. Kshitij K. Murari, Manish Maheshwari, Shivcharan Kushwaha, Govinda Rekwar, the District Medical Board team, and Chief Executive Officer of Shujalpur D.R.S. Rana along with the Janpad team.
Special sessions were conducted on skill development for persons with disabilities, government welfare schemes, and detailed provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. A total of approximately 193 persons were registered for UDID, including 36 visually impaired, 64 hearing impaired, 68 physically disabled, and 25 intellectually disabled individuals. Around 40 beneficiaries were identified for assistive device distribution. A large number of persons with disabilities and their family members from various parts of Shujalpur attended the camp.
The vote of thanks was delivered by noted social worker and advocate Hemant Saxena of Shujalpur, and the programme was anchored by Surendra Kumar Gautam, Special Educator at Madhya Pradesh Bhoj (Open) University.
The event was also attended by Dr. Narendra Kumar, Director of CRC Bhopal; Dr. Rajesh Sharma, Principal of Government Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial College, Shujalpur; and other distinguished citizens of the city.
