Participation of 'Divyangjan' is important to fulfil the dream

Union Minister Krishan Pal Gurjar Thursday said participation of 'Divyangjan' is very important to fulfil the dream of Digital India.

Inaugurating a two-day National Conference on Disability here, the minister of state for Social Justice and Empowerment said: "In this age of internet and technology, the dream of Digital India will not be possible without the participation and inclusion of Divyangjan".

Gurjar said that through the use of technology the lives of Divyangjan can be made easier and they can be made self-dependent.

"Ministry of social Justice and empowerment has taken the issues of Divyangjan of North East as a challenge. Technology can play a great role in facing this challenge. It is felt from long time that awareness on this issue are very much needed in this region and so the ministry has decided to organise such conference here", he added.

The National Conference 'Disability and Social Inclusion - The Role of Technology' was organised by National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities (Divyangjan), (NILD), Kolkata at IIT-Guwahati.

The minister further said that government has launched a new scheme "Accessible India Campaign" (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan), a nationwide campaign to enable persons with disabilities to gain universal access, equal opportunity for development, independent living and participation in all aspects of life in an inclusive society.

"Under this scheme government is providing cochlear implant to deaf children. Government is importing these devices. But if these devices can be produced here, it will give more life to Divyangjan. This is a big challenge and IITs have all the capability to fulfil this Challenge", he added.

As the Guest of Honour, IIT-G Director Gautam Biswas said that miracles of science and technology has changed the lives of people including 'Divyangjan'.