J&K committed to equal opportunities & Divyangjan Rights: LG

Jammu, Feb 14: 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 by the Government of India aimed at the economic empowerment of Divyang-jan (persons with disabilities), at Gulshan Ground.
The Divya Kala Mela, organised by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disa-bilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, in collaboration with the National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC), showcased the re-markable talent, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of Divyang artisans, entrepreneurs, and art-ists from across Jammu & Kashmir and various other states and Union Territories.
In his address, the Lieutenant Governor expressed gratitude to the Government of India and all stakeholders involved in the initiative. He emphasized that the Divya Kala Mela reflects the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s commitment to empowering Divyangjan and making them economi-cally self-reliant.
Reaffirming his commitment to improving the lives of Divyangjan, the Lieutenant Governor stat-ed, “The Union Territory of J&K is dedicated to creating a supportive environment that ensures equal opportunities and protects the rights of Divyangjan.”
He added, “I have always believed that we must see the gifts that God has given and focus on doing good for others. Mainstreaming Divyangjan in society has been a primary goal of the ad-ministration. In 2020, I introduced a multi-faceted approach to help Divyangjan realize their po-tential and actively participate in the development process.”
The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted the efforts of the J&K Administration in making assis-tive devices accessible to the differently-abled. “It is important that every Divyangjan has access to assistive equipment that empowers them and reduces the impact of their disability,” he said.
He pointed to devices such as hearing aids, wheelchairs, limb prosthetics, and motorized scooters, which have been provided in far-flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir to help differently-abled individuals lead independent lives.
The Lieutenant Governor urged both individuals and social service organizations to assist Divyangjan in acquiring suitable devices based on their specific needs. He also called upon inno-vators in Jammu & Kashmir to develop more user-friendly aids and devices for Divyangjan using modern technology.
Additionally, he directed the Social Welfare Department to focus on skilling Divyangjan on a mission mode. The Lieutenant Governor also discussed the steps being taken to encourage the private sector to create employment opportunities for Divyangjan, as well as the necessary revi-sions made to the reservation policy in government jobs.
The Lieutenant Governor further urged the Union Minister to organize mega fairs for Divyang-jan in both the Jammu and Kashmir divisions and thanked Dr. Virendra Kumar for his support in providing a platform for Divyang artisans and entrepreneurs from Jammu and Kashmir at fairs across the country.
During the event, the Lieutenant Governor and the Union Minister visited the stalls set up by Divyang artisans, entrepreneurs, government institutions, and civil society groups. They also distributed mobility devices and sanction letters to the beneficiaries.
The Lieutenant Governor assured the artisans and entrepreneurs of full support from the admin-istration, including assistance with scaling up their businesses and marketing their products.
Among those present at the event were Sakina Itoo, Minister for Social Welfare, J&K; Jugal Kishore Sharma, Member of Parliament; Sanjeev Verma, Commissioner Secretary of Social Welfare Department, J&K; Rajeev Sharma, Joint Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, GoI; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; along with senior officials, social organization representatives, artists, artisans, entrepreneurs, and the general public.