On 3rd December every year, the world celebrates the International Day Of Persons With Disabilities. The theme for 2021 saw emphasis on a more sustainable and inclusive society in the post-Covid world, where people with disabilities would have equal representation and voice. It was celebrated throughout the world, with organizations and governments taking up various steps for the cause.
In the State of Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that the government will be providing 100 motorized tricycles for each district to the physically challenged. The initiative was announced at an event at Shakuntala Mishra National Rehabilitation University on the 3rd December, the chief minister honored and distributed prizes to the meritorious students of special schools, differently-abled persons, and the organizations working with them.
At the event, the CM upheld Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his inspiration and spoke about the efforts made by the government of the state towards the empowerment of the persons with disabilities that the government took up since 2017, like raising the pension of specially-able people and ensuring availability of assistive devices and grants for marriage for their upliftment. “We are working towards developing their talent and channelizing their energies towards nation-building,” while citing the great achievements made by notable differently-abled people from history like – the 16th-century poet Surdas, physicist Stephen Hawking and Sage Ashtavakra to name a few.
He also gave examples of athletes who participated and won at the Tokyo Paralympics, one of India’s best stints at the medals tally. “These athletes proved that nothing can stop you if you are determined,” he said, further adding how they have never let their physical disabilities stop or define them, and instead, they made it their greatest strength. It was their hard work and determination which made the country proud at the world stage as India bagged 19 medals. The state government has also honored all the medal winners to felicitate their achievements and encourage others to take up their example and work dedicatedly towards their goals.
