Latest news with #Divyang
India Today
05-06-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Congress doubles down on 'Narender surrender' jibe at PM, BJP hits back
0:59 A differently-abled cricketer lost his life mid-journey while travelling from Ludhiana to Gwalior to participate in a Divyang cricket tournament.
New Indian Express
05-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Rahul Gandhi's 'lame horses' remark 'insensitive', 'legally objectionable', says champion para swimmer
BHOPAL: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has drawn flak for his "lame horses" remark made at the Madhya Pradesh Congress convention in Bhopal on Tuesday. In a post on social media platform X on Thursday, international para swimmer and Padma Shri awardee Satendra Singh Lohiya voiced his strong objection to the remark by Gandhi, saying it was not only 'insensitive' but also 'legally objectionable'. Hinting at minimising the role of inactive and jaded leaders and promoting active and committed ones in the state, Gandhi had said, 'We must identify and segregate race horses, wedding horses and lame horses. The race horses will be promoted, the wedding horses will be set aside for 'weddings', while the time has come for the lame horses to retire.' In response, Lohiya wrote, 'I'm an international level para swimmer and a Divyang (specially-abled) and also a responsible citizen of the country. In a recent public statement in Bhopal, he (Gandhi) used the word 'langda,' which hurt me a lot. The word is not only insensitive, but according to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, this terminology has been abolished and is legally considered objectionable. This Act was passed by the Parliament with the purpose of giving Divyangjan a place of respect and dignity in the society. We were given a positive word like Divyang by the PM Narendra Modi, which reflects our capabilities, not our challenges. In such a situation when the country hears such an insensitive word from a national leader, it hurts the sentiments of not just one person, but the entire Divyang community,' Lohiya posted. 'I don't know in which context he (Gandhi) used the word, but I request him to clarify on this matter and avoid using such language in future, keeping in mind the sentiments of specially-abled people. He is requested to take this matter seriously and give an appropriate response, respecting the sentiments of Divyang people of the country,' he added in the post.
United News of India
23-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
UP govt aims to make Braille press technologically advanced
Lucknow, May 23 (UNI) Five Braille presses are run under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in Uttar Pradesh which publish textbooks in Braille for various subjects, ensuring that visually impaired students across the state's specialised schools have equal access to quality education, official sources said here on Friday. Sources said that this initiative is bridging the educational divide and boosting the confidence and self-esteem of thousands of students. "Particularly noteworthy is the contribution of the Government Braille Press in Lucknow. This institution has successfully made all UP Board textbooks up to the high school level available in Braille, ensuring that visually impaired students receive accurate and timely educational material. This has enabled them to compete effectively in mainstream academic and competitive environments," they said. Sources said that in recognition of its excellence, the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment conferred the National Award on the Lucknow Braille Press in 2019, a testament to both the press's quality and the Yogi government's inclusive policies. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has consistently emphasised that 'every citizen, regardless of physical ability, can contribute to the state's development, provided they are given the right resources and opportunities'. Guided by this philosophy, the government has launched multiple supportive schemes for Divyang students, including scholarships, hostel facilities and vocational training programmes. Sources said that operating Braille presses for visually impaired students is a foundational and transformative step in this mission. "It helps these students move toward self-reliance and earn their place in society with dignity. Looking ahead, the state government aims to upgrade these presses with modern technology further and introduce digital Braille content, enabling students to access education globally," they said. Sources said that the Yogi government's visionary approach has turned education for Divyang students from a mere entitlement into a real opportunity, setting a benchmark for inclusive development that other states are beginning to emulate. UNI AB GNK
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Time of India
Provide sensitive, proactive admin in edu institutes for disabled: Yogi
1 2 3 Lucknow: Expressing concern over disruptive elements attempting to lead disabled students in schools and universities astray, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday directed officials to ensure sensitive, vigilant and proactive administrative system in educational institutions catering to ' Divyang ' youth. Speaking at a meeting of the department of empowerment of persons with disabilities, the CM directed the officials concerned to ensure comprehensive inspections of all Bachpan day care centres, Mansik Mandit Ashray Kendras, integrated schools, and Mamta, Sparsh, and Sanket schools across the state. "We must remain fully alert to ensure the safety and psychosocial protection of students. Permission for external organisations to operate in these institutions should be granted only after thorough background investigations. Institutional frameworks must be strengthened by engaging with students and understanding their needs, and expectations of their parents," he said. The CM said that all vacant teaching posts in these schools should be filled up on an urgent basis. "Till regular appointments are made, qualified persons can be employed through alternative arrangements, and such candidates can be given appropriate weightage in future selection processes," Yogi said. The CM also reviewed the status of various schemes being implemented by the department and highlighted that over the past eight years, the department's budget had increased more than tenfold, "reflecting the govt's strong commitment" to the welfare of Divyang individuals. Officials informed the CM that under the Divyangjan Pension Scheme, Rs 1,300 crore had been distributed to 11.04 lakh beneficiaries, while approximately 12,000 people affected by leprosy are receiving monthly assistance of Rs 3,000. The CM said that a state-level campaign should be conducted to identify eligible individuals who were not receiving pensions. "Action should be taken against those who are availing benefits fraudulently," he added. In the last financial year, over 31 lakh beneficiaries availed of free bus travel in UPSRTC buses. In the same period, Rs 28.93 crore was provided to 35,136 Divyang individuals for assistive devices like tricycles, wheelchairs, and Braille kits. Under the Motorised Tricycle Scheme, equipment worth up to Rs 2 lakh has been supplied to 270 severely disabled beneficiaries. The CM said that delivery of benefits from central govt schemes to eligible state beneficiaries should be done promptly and urged MPs and MLAs to contribute funds toward the Motorised Tricycle Scheme. Reviewing the 'Cochlear Implant Scheme,' the CM stressed that its success hinges on initiating treatment from the newborn stage and instructed officials to maintain communication with the families of 214 children who received the implant and closely monitor their health progress. Officials informed the CM that 1,390 visually, hearing, and mentally challenged children were getting necessary training and education through child day care centres across 25 districts. These centres provide education to 1,680 children via 16 special schools, seven integrated schools, and five mental rehabilitation centres. The CM said that priority should be given to skill development-based courses at Lucknow's Dr Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University and Chitrakoot's Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Divyang Rajya Vishwavidyalaya. He emphasized that these institutions should be promoted at the national level to attract Divyangjans from across the country. He also instructed the officials that divyang rehabilitation centres be established on priority at all 18 divisional headquarters to provide rehabilitation, education, and skill development services locally.
United News of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Ensure compassionate governance in Divyang schools: Yogi
Lucknow, May 21 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday emphasised the need for a sensitive, vigilant and proactive administrative system in educational institutions catering to Divyang (differently abled) youth. During a review of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, the CM expressed concern over disruptive elements attempting to lead Divyang students in schools and universities astray to anti-social activities. "We must remain fully alert to such tendencies and ensure the safety and psychosocial protection of our students," he said. He directed that permission for external organisations to operate in these institutions should only be granted after thorough background investigations. Yogi directed comprehensive inspections of all Bachpan Day Care Centres, Mansik Mandit Ashray Kendras, Integrated Schools, 'Mamta', 'Sparsh' and 'Sanket' schools across the state. "Institutional frameworks must be strengthened further by engaging with the students and understanding their needs, as well as the aspirations and expectations of their parents," he said. He emphasised the urgent need to fill vacant teaching posts in these schools. "Until regular appointments are made, qualified youth can be employed through alternative arrangements, with appropriate weightage given to them in future selection processes," he said. During the meeting, the CM was updated on the status, achievements and action plans of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and the Backwards Classes Welfare Department. He directed that all welfare schemes must be transparent, technically efficient and ensure timely delivery of benefits to the intended beneficiaries. He highlighted that over the past eight years, the department's budget has increased more than tenfold, reflecting the government's strong commitment to the welfare of Divyang individuals. Officials reported that under the Divyangjan Pension Scheme, Rs 1,300 crore has been distributed to 11.04 lakh beneficiaries, while approximately 12,000 persons affected by leprosy receive monthly assistance of Rs 3,000. Yogi directed the launch of a state-level campaign to identify eligible individuals not yet receiving pensions, as well as those fraudulently availing benefits, with strict action to be taken accordingly. It was further reported that in the last financial year, Rs 28.93 crore was provided to 35,136 Divyang individuals for assistive devices such as tricycles, wheelchairs and Braille kits. Under the Motorised Tricycle Scheme, equipment worth up to Rs 2 lakh has been supplied to 270 severely disabled beneficiaries. The CM emphasised the need to ensure prompt delivery of benefits from central government schemes to eligible state beneficiaries. He also urged Members of Parliament and Legislative Assembly to contribute funds toward the Motorised Tricycle Scheme. Reviewing the 'Cochlear Implant Scheme', he stressed that its success hinges on initiating treatment from the newborn stage. He directed the officials to maintain communication with the families of 214 recently benefited children and closely monitor their health progress. In the education sector, officials informed Yogi that 1,390 visually, hearing and mentally challenged children receive necessary training and education through Child Day Care Centres across 25 districts. Besides, residential education is provided to 1,680 children via 16 special schools, 7 integrated schools and 5 mental rehabilitation centres operating within the state. He directed that priority be given to skill development-based courses at Lucknow's Dr Shakuntala Mishra National Rehabilitation University and Chitrakoot's Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Divyang Rajya Vishwavidyalaya. He emphasised that these institutions should be promoted at the national level to attract Divyangjans from across the country. During the meeting, it was also reported that over 15 lakh Divyangjans have been registered on the UDID portal in the state, with most having received their Unique ID cards. The CM directed that 'Divyang Rehabilitation Centres' be established on a priority basis at all 18 divisional headquarters to provide rehabilitation, education and skill development services locally. UNI AB BD
