Since 1992, the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) has been annually observed on 3rd December around the world. The theme for this year’s IDPD is "Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality". This theme focuses on the empowering persons with disabilities for the inclusive, equitable and sustainable development envisaged in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development pledging to "leave no one behind."
As in previous years, the W & CD & SW Deptt. Govt. of West Bengal observed International Day of the Persons with Disabilities, 2018 for three days from 3 rd to 5 th December 2018. The State Award Function was held on 3 rd December, 2018 at Calcutta University Institute Hall, Kolkata at 4.30 P.M. Dr Shashi Panja, Hon’ble Minister of State ( Independent charge), Dept of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare graced the occassion as Chairperson.Smt Sanghamitra Ghosh, IAS ,Secretary , W & CD & SW dept. was present in the award ceremony. Persons with Disabilities who excelled in their respective field of work inspite of their physical or intellectual impairment and the organisations/persons who are working for the empowerment of Persons with Disabilities was conferred State Awards for empowerment of Persons with Disabilities,2018.
State Awards were given for outstanding achievements in the respective fields in the following categories: Self-Employed, Outstanding Employee with disability, Role Model, Creation of Barrier free environment, Best Organization working for the cause of disability, Parent organization, and Best Self Help group etc.
Awards for Disabled Friendly Durga Puja Pandals was also given on 3rd December.Dhakuria Sarbojonin Durgotsab Samity,Ahiritola Yubak Brinda and Dorjee Para Byam Samity were conferred Disabled Friendly Durga Puja Award 2018.
Economic development is one of the important pillars of Empowerment and Inclusion.Keeping this in mind, a ROJGAR MELA, 2018 was organised on 4 th & 5 th December, 2018 at College Square, College Street, Kolkata from 11.00 am to 8.00 pm by W & CD & SW Deptt. Govt. of West Bengal. As a part of the programme for observing International Day for Persons with Disabilities a Walk was held on 4.12.2018.The Walk was flagged off by Sri Debabrata Chattaraj, IAS, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, West Bengal and Smt Swapna das, Councillor , Ward no 42, Kolkata Municipal Corporation at 11.30 AM from College Square Gate. Around 500 persons with disabilities, NGO representatives, parents took part in the walk
In this two day long programme ,the Persons with Disabilities from different walks of life shared their experiences and narrated their success stories .The artefacts produced by them was exhibited in the fair.Numbers of Non Government employers interviewed the Persons with Disabilities registered with employment bank to extend the job opportunities enabling them to have a better livelihood.This fair was inaugarated by Dr Shashi Panja, Hon’ble Minister of State ( Independent charge), Dept of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare.
There were stalls for exhibiting disability related materials and activities of various Departments of Central & State Govt. In the Central Govt. Pavilion NIVH, NIMH, NIHH, ALIMCO took part and distributed awareness materials to visitors. In the State Govt. Pavilion Department of W & CD & SW (its’ different wings) and P & RD Deptt. participated and displayed and distributed their awareness materials and products.32 NGOs having Vocational Training Centres participated in the Rojgar Mela with their products for exhibition and sale.
Panel discussion on Economic Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities and Inclusion in the light of RPWD Act, 2016 were conducted wherein senior State/Central Government Officers, office bearer of NGOs and Parent Organisations took part. Persons with Disabilities from different walks of life were also invited to share their experiences and narrate their success stories. Cultural programmes were also held.
Job Fair was organized on 4 th and 5 th December, 2018 at College Square, Kolkata for qualified persons with disabilities in which 531 candidates appeared out of which 161 persons were short listed. Companies like Reliance Fresh,Vishal Mega Mart,Top N Safe,Future Group,Holiday INN,Capital Financial Services,Grasim Industries,Hindusthan Unilever & Polinate Energy participated in the fair.
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