Jan Vikas Samiti Celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities

On December 14, 2024, Jan Vikas Samiti celebrated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, focusing on the theme “Developing Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future.” A total of 1000 persons with disabilities and their guardians participated in the event.

Chandran Riymonds, Executive Director of Jan Vikas Samiti, welcomed the participants and shared the organization’s efforts in providing rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities across 14 states in North and Northeast India for the past 20 years. He also highlighted that the organization has been recognized twice with State Awards for outstanding services for rehabilitation of persons with disabilities by the Government of Uttar Pradesh in the last four years.

Dr. Raghini Sonkar, MLA from Machhli Shahar, and Mr. Naveen Singh Bablu, representative of the Member of Parliament from Chandauli, graced the function as the chief guest and president of the event. The program began with a welcome song performed by visually impaired children from Jeevan Jyoti School. A group dance by children with disabilities from JVS Muskaan Day Care and a wheelchair dance by children with disabilities from Kiran Society further added to the event’s importance.

The guests launched a “Tip-sheet for caregivers” translated in Hindi by Jan Vikas Samiti from the original English version of it from Enablement, the Netherlands. On the occasion, the JVS EmpowerAbility Award 2024 was presented to seven youth with disabilities, recognizing their extraordinary ability to break barriers in the face of challenges and becoming a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change in the society.

Special guests, Mr. Kailash Nath Sonkar, former MLA from Ajgara Assembly, appreciated Jan Vikas Samiti’s for its dedicated work for persons with disabilities and assured full support to ensure the rights and development of persons with disabilities. Mr. Shashi Pratap Singh, National President of the National Equal Party, emphasized the importance of reserving positions for persons with disabilities in constitutional roles and political parties. Mr. Utam Ojha, a member of the State Disability Advisory Board, spoke about government schemes available for persons with disabilities.

Dr. Raghini Sonkar appreciated the efforts of Jan Vikas Samiti and vowed to support persons with disabilities, particularly focusing on eliminating discrimination against disabled women and adolescents. Mr. Naveen Singh Bablu extended his best wishes for the day and encouraged the participants in his constituency to reach out to him if they face any challenges and assured his support and collaboration with Jan Vikas Samiti.

The event concluded with the distribution of blankets to every person with disabilities who participated in the event and Mr. Ranjeet Kumar Singh delivered the vote of thanks.