Supported by the State Commissioner’s Office for Person with Disabilities, Nagaland, an Awareness Programme on Person with Disabilities was organized by the District Administration and Mokokchung District Disabled Forum (MDDF) today (28th July 2023) at DCs Conference Hall, Mokokchung.

Emphasizing on the Rights of Person with Disabilities Act 2016, State Commissioner for Person with Disabilities, Diethono Nakhro said everybody seems to know what disability is but many are not aware about what need to be done. She said till today most of the disability Laws have not been implemented that we have to be honest that there has been huge neglects in the disability sector.

Nakhro said that all the governments have failed to address the disability issues as it should, but she also maintained that it is not only the responsibility of the government but the entire society has a responsibility for the disabled community. The Commissioner said church is so central to our lives therefore it has a huge role to play to in helping the people with disability to participate in life of the society. Taking the example of celebration of different festivals in our society, she asked, how the disabled are participating. She reminded that tribal bodies/civil societies too have a huge role to play to include the disabled in every walk of life saying that pity is not the thing they need but equal opportunities is what they want.

Short speeches were delivered by Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung, representative from the Ao Senden and District Welfare Officer, Mokokchung. Special song was presented by Akangmongba. During the second session, Project Associate, Caritas India, Arenlila Jamir presented the Status of Person with Disabilities, Formation and Function of DPOs which was followed by interaction session. Invocation was said by Pastor, Chang Baptist Church, Mokokchung, Ngaku Chollen, vote of thanks was proposed by President, MDDF while the programme was chaired by EAC, Mokokchung, Vitolu.

(Lanukaba I.A Mokokchung)