Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio inaugurated the Disability Pride Fair 2023, in commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, at Kisama Naga Heritage Village on 2nd December 2023.
In his speech, the Chief Minister appreciated the office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, led by the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Diethono Nakhro, for the unwavering work and initiatives for the disabled community. He also appreciated them for the initiative to make the International Day of Persons with Disabilities an annual event and informed that the Government will create a corpus fund from the following year.
Rio said that a lot has to be done for the upliftment of the disabled people. He opined that vocational training and other skill-development trainings be imparted so that they can earn something and live with dignity. Rio called upon the people, specially the privileged, to do something for the upliftment of the disabled people. He also called for promotion of their well-being in socio-economic, political and cultural aspects.
Secretary, Social Welfare, Martha R. Ritse stated that observation of International Day of Persons with Disabilities is about securing the rights of the disabled and raising awareness about the community. She added that it is a day to highlight their creativity and resilience. She informed that about 30,000 disabled people have registered and about 7,000 have been digitised and certified. She added that the Department has been providing pensions, scholarships and grant-in-aid to NGOs. She also informed that two new Rehabilitation Centres will be coming up at Mon and Tuensang. While acknowledging that some government offices and buildings have been made barrier-free, she highlighted the need for more of such buildings and environment.
Delivering the keynote address, State Commissioner for Persons with Disability, Diethono Nakhro said that there is still a long way to go for which she sought the full support from the Government and the public. She said that developmental goals will be achieved only if there is inclusion of the disabled. She also highlighted that accessible tourism is needed to make Nagaland a top tourist destination.
Highlighting on the Disability Pride Fair, Nakhro said that the fair is to provide a platform for the disabled to show and embrace themselves as they are. She added that it is also an opportunity for the others to understand the disabled community and spread awareness about them. She informed that a disability information booth is being set up at Kisama for the duration of the Hornbill Festival.
During the programme, differently-abled persons performed various items where three visually-impaired girls, Gracyly, Sonali and Wangdai, presented a special song; P. Daihe Kape, a differently-abled person shared his journey and Mhonchumo Shitoi, a visually-impaired, presented a guitar and harmonica piece. A video on Disability Awareness by Dreamz Unlimited was also released during the programme.
The Disability Pride Fair 2023, is being organised in commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities by the office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Department of Social Welfare. The Day is observed on 3rd December annually, however as it falls on a Sunday this year, it is being observed on 2nd December. Various stalls, including a stall where one can learn the basic sign language, are set up in the vicinity of the Bamboo Hall, Kisama.
(Wepre Kronu, APRO)
