New Delhi, December 3 (IANS). On the occasion of International Day with Disabilities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written a special message on Tuesday. He said that today when the players of my country come to my house with Paralympic medals on their chest, my heart is filled with pride. Every time I share with you the inspiring stories of my disabled brothers and sisters in ‘Mann Ki Baat’, my heart fills with pride.
In an article written on his website, PM Modi gave a big message to the disabled and wrote, “Today is an important day of 3rd December.” The whole world celebrates this day as International Day with Disabilities. Today is a special occasion to pay tribute to the courage, self-confidence and achievements of persons with disabilities. This occasion is like a holy day for India. Respect for disabled people is inherent in the ideology of India. The feeling of respect for disabled people can be seen in our scriptures and folk texts. There is a verse in Ramayana – Utsho Balvanarya, Nastyutsahatparam Balam. Sotsahasyasti lokaysmin, na kinchidapi durlabham. The core of the verse is that nothing is impossible in the world for a person who has enthusiasm in his mind. Today, our disabled people in India are becoming the energy of respect and self-respect for the country with this same enthusiasm. This year this day is even more special. This year the Constitution of India has completed 75 years. The Constitution of India inspires us to work for equality and empowerment. With this inspiration of the Constitution, in the last 10 years we have laid a strong foundation for the progress of persons with disabilities. Over the years, many policies have been made for the disabled in the country, many decisions have been taken.
He further wrote, “These decisions show that our government is all-touching, sensitive and all-developing.” In this sequence, today has also become a day to reiterate our dedication towards our disabled brothers and sisters. Ever since I have been in public life, I have made efforts at every opportunity to make the lives of persons with disabilities easier. After becoming the Prime Minister, I made this service a pledge to the nation. After the formation of the government in 2014, we first decided to popularize the word ‘Divyang’ in place of ‘Disabled’. This was not just a change of words, it also increased the dignity of the disabled in the society and gave great acknowledgment to their contribution. This decision gave the message that the government wants such an inclusive environment, where physical challenges do not become a wall in front of a person and he gets the opportunity to build the nation with full respect as per his talent. The disabled brothers and sisters gave me their blessings for this decision on various occasions. This blessing has become my biggest strength for the welfare of the disabled.
PM Modi said, “Every year we organize many programs across the country on Divyang Diwas. I still remember, 9 years ago on this day we launched the Accessible India Campaign. I have got great satisfaction from the way this campaign has empowered the disabled in 9 years. With the determination power of 140 crore countrymen, ‘Accessible India’ not only removed many obstacles from the path of disabled people, but also gave them a life of dignity and prosperity. Due to the policies of the previous governments, persons with disabilities are left behind from government jobs and higher education opportunities. We changed those conditions. The reservation system got a new look. The amount spent for the welfare of disabled people was also tripled in 10 years. These decisions created new avenues of opportunities and progress for persons with disabilities. Today our disabled friends are making us proud by becoming dedicated partners in the building of India. I myself have realized how much potential the young disabled people of India have. The honor that our players have brought to the country in the Paralympics is a symbol of this energy. In order for this energy to become the energy of the nation, we have connected the disabled people with skills, so that their energy can become helpful in the progress of the nation. This training is not just a government program. These trainings have increased the self-confidence of the disabled colleagues. Has given them self-confidence to find employment.
He said that the life of my disabled brothers and sisters should be simple, easy and self-respecting, this is the basic principle of the government. We also implemented the Persons with Disabilities Act in the same spirit. In this historic law, the categories of definition of disability were also increased from 7 to 21. For the first time, our acid attack survivors were also included in it. Today this law is becoming a medium for the empowered life of the disabled people. These laws have changed society’s perception towards disabled people. Today our disabled friends are also working with all their might to build a developed India. The philosophy of India teaches us that every person in the society definitely has a special talent. We just need to bring that out. I have always believed in the amazing talent of my disabled colleagues. And I say with full pride that our disabled brothers and sisters have further strengthened this belief of mine in the past decade. I am also proud to see how their achievements are reshaping the resolve of our society.
In the end, PM Modi wrote, “Today, when the players of my country come to my house with Paralympic medals on their chest, my heart is filled with pride. Every time I share with you the inspiring stories of my disabled brothers and sisters in Mann Ki Baat, my heart fills with pride. Be it education, sports or startups, they are breaking all the barriers and reaching new heights and becoming partners in the development of the country. I say with full confidence that when we celebrate the 100th anniversary of independence in 2047, our disabled friends will be seen as a source of inspiration for the entire world. Today we have to be determined towards this goal. Let us all together build a society where no dream or goal is impossible. Only then will we be able to truly build an inclusive and developed India and I certainly see a huge role for our brothers and sisters with disabilities in this. Once again, best wishes to all the disabled friends on this day.
–IANS
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