LG, Union Minister inaugurate Divya Kala Mela
JAMMU, FEBRUARY 14: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Union Minister for
Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar Friday inaugurated the 11-day
long Divya Kala Mela, a unique initiative of Government of India towards the economic
empowerment of Divyangjan, at Gulshan Ground.
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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 Lieutenant Governor expressed gratitude to Government of India
and all the stakeholders associated with the noble endeavour. He said the Divya Kala
Mela reflects the Hon’ble 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
Lieutenant Governor said the Union Territory of J&K is committed to create a conducive
environment to provide equal opportunities and protect rights of Divyangjan.
"I always believe in God's gift and doing good for others. I have made 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 Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor 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 Equipments 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 Lieutenant Governor
further added.
The Lieutenant Governor 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 Lieutenant Governor 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
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changes made in the reservation policy in government jobs based on various
benchmarks.
The Lieutenant Governor urged the Union Minister for organizing 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 Lieutenant Governor 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 Lieutenant Governor 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.
