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Nagpur: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday announced empowerment of all Divyang (physically disabled) persons by providing them with necessary government assistance as well as assistive aids such as Jaipur Foot, calipers, crutches, hearing aids etc.
“Divyang persons are in no way disabled persons as their self-confidence and determination is on par with other able persons. Divyang have special qualities and skills. That is why Prime Minister Narendra Modi has undertaken “Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan” (Accessible India Campaign). The State Government will play a positive role in implementing the scheme in letter and spirit. The Social Welfare Department will search Divyang persons across the State and will provide government assistance as well as artificial limbs,” the Chief Minister declared. He was speaking after inaugurating the mega Divyang camp being held at Yeshwant Stadium from October 14 to 25 in which Jaipur Foot, and other aids will be distributed to around 2000 Divyang persons from Nagpur District.
“There will be not a single Divyang person in Nagpur district as well as in the State in the next three years. More and more such camps will be organized in the coming days for distribution of Jaipur Foot and other assistive aids,” Fadnavis asserted.
The October 14-25 camp is being organized by Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayata Samiti, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), District Disability Rehabilitation Centre,and Zilla Parishad. All the aid required by physically challenged persons will be distributed for free in the camp. These equipment include Jaipur Foot (artificial limb), calipers, hearing aid etc.
Other dignitaries present on the dais include Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Bhagwan Mahavir Vikalang Sahayata Samiti Founder D R Mehta, Non-Resident Indian Prem Bhandari, MLAs Krishna Khopde, Sudhakar Deshmukh, Vikas Kumbhare, Dr Milind Mane, MLC Anil Sole, Rajya Sabha Member Ajay Sancheti, Divisional Commissioner Anup Kumar, District Collector Sachin Kurve, Ramesh Mankar, Dayashankar Tiwari, HSBC’s Majumdar and others.
Fadnavis further said that distribution of Jaipur Foot and other aids is part of Make in India. “The notion that Divyang are of no work is to be eliminated. The camp will create self-confidence among the physically challenged to achieve their respective goals. Till now 25,000 Divyang persons have got benefited and more such camps will be organized at five places of Dr Ambedkar’s ‘Panchtirtha’ as directed by the Prime Minister,” the Chief Minister said.
Around 7100 different aids will be distributed in the October 14-25 camp including Jaipur Foot, battery-operated cycles, blind aids, hearing aids, calipers, crutches etc.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhagwan Mahavir Vikalang Sahayata Samiti Founder D R Mehta said that Samiti has so far helped over 15.5 lakh Divyang persons. 200 persons are fitted with Jaipur Foot daily in Jaippur Foot. Around 2000 Divyang persons come to Jaipur from across the country. 27 countries have the facilities to fix Jaipur Foot, Mehta informed.
The resident of America and President of Jaipur Foot, USA, Prem Bhandari said that this is the second camp of Jaipur Foot and the next camp will be held at Dadar in Mumbai.
The Chief Minister Fadnavis on the occasion distributed artificial limbs and other assistive aids to Divyang persons.
The programme was conducted by Municipal Commissioner Shravan Hardikar.
For the Divyangs of Nagpur city, the camp is being organized from October 14 to 16. For Nagpur rural, Hingna, Kamptee, it will be from October 17 to 19. Divyang from Ramtek, Parshioni and Mauda will get benefit on October 19 and 20. October 21 and 22 will be for Umred, Kuhi and Bhivapur beneficiaries. Divyang from Katol, Narkhed and Kalmeshwar will get the Jaipur Foot on October 23 and 24. October 25 will be for beneficiaries of Saoner Tehsil. The timings of the camp are from 9 am to 3 pm.
