Government Continuously Committed to Respect and Empowerment of the Disabled: Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai
Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi gave a new sense of respect and self-pride by calling them 'Divyang' (person with a divine ability): Chief Minister.
Distribution of assistive devices worth Rs 3.58 crore under Project 'Sahara', 1739 disabled persons benefited.
Announcement to provide Rs 7 crore for the renovation, repair, and beautification of Balbir Singh Juneja Stadium.
Raipur/ The identity of any sensitive and developed society is determined by the fact that every person there gets equal opportunities, respect, and the right to move forward. Persons with disabilities are an integral part of society, and it is the government's responsibility to provide them with the right opportunities for their talent, capability, and confidence. The state government is continuously working towards the social, educational, and economic empowerment of persons with disabilities with this very thought, so that they can become self-reliant and contribute respectfully to the mainstream of society. Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai said this today while addressing the program of distribution of assistive devices for persons with disabilities organized under Project 'Sahara' at Sardar Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium in the capital Raipur.
Chief Minister Mr. Sai said that the Honorable Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has done historic work in bringing about a positive change in the country's thinking towards persons with disabilities. He not only expanded welfare schemes but also gave them a new sense of respect and self-pride by calling them 'Divyang'. This change is not just of words, but a change in the thinking and perspective of society. Embracing the Prime Minister's mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas' (With everyone's support, everyone's development, everyone's trust, and everyone's effort), the Chhattisgarh government is also working with full commitment to make the lives of persons with disabilities more accessible, safe, and self-reliant.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Mr. Sai announced the provision of Rs 7 crore for the renovation, repair, and beautification of the indoor stadium. He said that the development of sports infrastructure is extremely important not only for players but also for such social and public welfare events.
During the program, the Chief Minister distributed motorized tricycles, tricycles, wheelchairs, hearing aids, artificial limbs, crutches, walking sticks, and other modern assistive devices to a large number of persons with disabilities. He interacted cordially with the beneficiaries, encouraged them, and said that these devices are not just aids but a new beginning of self-respect, confidence, and self-reliance. With their help, persons with disabilities will be able to become more self-reliant in education, employment, mobility, and daily life tasks and connect more strongly with the mainstream of society.
At the beginning of the program, Chief Minister Mr. Sai extended his best wishes to the people of the state on the first Monday of the month of Sawan and prayed to Lord Shiva for the prosperity, happiness, and good health of all citizens of the state. He said that Indian culture gives the message of service, compassion, and humanity, and it is the responsibility of all of us to help the weaker and needy sections of society.
Chief Minister Mr. Sai said that a special campaign was conducted in Raipur district to screen persons with disabilities, in which more than 1600 individuals were identified. An amount of Rs 3 crore 58 lakh has been received from the Government of India for this ambitious initiative. For this, he expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and the Government of India, stating that positive changes are continuously being brought about in the lives of persons with disabilities through the coordinated efforts of the central and state governments.
He informed that under this campaign, 500 to 600 persons with disabilities have already been provided with assistive devices, while today more than 1000 beneficiaries are being provided with various devices. Thus, a total of 1739 persons with disabilities are being benefited through Project 'Sahara'. The Chief Minister said that this initiative is not limited to the distribution of devices but is an important step towards providing a more dignified, independent, and self-reliant life to persons with disabilities.
Chief Minister said that the state government is effectively implementing schemes for the all-round welfare of persons with disabilities, including the distribution of assistive devices, social security pensions, reservation in education and employment, skill development, rehabilitation, and other public welfare schemes. The government's endeavor is that no eligible person with a disability remains deprived of government facilities. He urged all beneficiaries to avail the maximum benefits of government schemes.
Chief Minister Mr. Sai said that the state government has brought most of the promises of Modi's guarantee to the ground in the last two and a half years. Many schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Matari Vandana Yojana, Ramlala Darshan Yojana, and Mukhyamantri Tirth Darshan Yojana have brought positive changes in the lives of various sections of society. He informed that under the Matari Vandana Yojana, more than Rs 18,000 crore has been transferred directly into the bank accounts of approximately 70 lakh women in the state through 29 installments.
Chief Minister said that the real purpose of good governance is to deliver government services to the citizens in a simple, transparent, and timely manner. With this objective, more than 500 services from 36 departments are being made available at home through the 'Seva Setu' app. Along with this, the facility to register complaints and get timely solutions is also available to citizens 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through the Chief Minister Helpline 1076.
Chief Minister Mr. Sai praised the innovations run by the Raipur district administration, such as Project Dharkan, Project Suraksha, Project Red Cross, Project Dadhichi, Project Zindagi Muskurayegi, Project Nihshay Mitra, Project Vandan, and Project Golden Hour, and said that these initiatives of the administration are excellent examples of sensitive and public-centric good governance. He said that in the series of these innovations, Project 'Sahara' has brought new hope, new convenience, and new confidence into the lives of persons with disabilities. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also launched Project Saral and Project Golden Hour and released the coffee table book "Nawachar se Pragati Path par Agrasar Raipur" (Raipur Advancing on the Path of Progress through Innovation).
Revenue Minister Mr. Tank Ram Verma said that the assistive devices being distributed under Project 'Sahara' will make the lives of persons with disabilities more accessible, safe, and self-reliant. He said that Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has created an environment of respect and sensitivity towards persons with disabilities in the country. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai, the state government is also working with full commitment for their social and economic empowerment. He said that persons with disabilities only face physical challenges, their talent, ability, and courage are in no way less.
Technical Education Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb said that Project 'Sahara' is not just a program for distributing assistive devices, but a campaign for self-respect, self-reliance, and social inclusion. He said that in this era of Digital India, the state government is providing skill training to persons with disabilities from time to time through ITI and Polytechnic institutions, so that they can become skilled, self-reliant, and get connected to dignified employment. He said that the assistive devices being distributed today will open doors to independent living and new possibilities for persons with disabilities.
Chief Minister reviewed various stalls
During the program, Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai reviewed the stalls related to various public welfare projects and innovations run by the district administration. He interacted cordially with the beneficiaries, took information about the benefits received from the schemes, and directed the officials to ensure that the benefit of every public welfare scheme of the government is delivered to the last person with transparency and sensitivity.
Appreciating the innovations being made by the district administration, the Chief Minister said that such efforts play an important role in bringing good governance to the masses.
On this occasion, MLA Mr. Sunil Soni, MLA Mr. Anuj Sharma, MLA Mr. Indrakumar Sahu, Raipur District Panchayat President Mr. Naveen Kumar Agarwal, Principal Secretary Social Welfare Mrs. Shahla Nigar, Divisional Commissioner Mr. Shyam Dhawade, Collector Mr. Gaurav Singh, along with public representatives, senior officials, social workers, and a large number of persons with disabilities and their families were present.