New Delhi (NVI): ‘World Disability Day’ should be renamed as ‘Day of Persons With Special Ability’ as such people have proved that nothing could stop them from achieving their goals, Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu said today.
He made the remark at a programme here on International Day of Persons with Disabilities to confer national awards for outstanding achievements and work done towards the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
He also appealed to the people in India and world to consider his suggestion as specially-abled persons have proved that they were role model for others and second to none.
“We must build an inclusive society that is respectful and sensitive to the needs of the differently-abled”, Naidu said.
“There is also a need to harmonize the immunization and disease prevention programmes with appropriate rehabilitatory models at least at the District level”, he said.
“Person with disabilities is not an object of ‘sympathy’ and ‘pity’ but needs ‘empathy’ and ‘support”, he added.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Today, on International Day of Persons with Disabilities we reaffirm our commitment to keep working towards an inclusive, accessible and equitable future for our Divyang sisters and brothers. Their fortitude and accomplishments in various fields inspire all of us”.
Today, on International Day of Persons with Disabilities we reaffirm our commitment to keep working towards an inclusive, accessible and equitable future for our Divyang sisters and brothers. Their fortitude and accomplishments in various fields inspire all of us.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 3, 2019
India today joined the global community in observing the World Disability Day as 2.2 per cent of its total population are suffering from disabilities, a National Statistical Office (NSO) survey report said.
The NSO, a wing of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, had conducted the survey of persons with disabilities during July 2018 to December 2018 as a part of 76th round of National Sample Survey (NSS).
Prior to this, the survey on the same subject was carried out by NSO during the 58th round (July-December 2002).
World Disability Day, is being celebrated since 1992, recognized by UN, which is observed throughout the world.
The United Nations General Assembly had notified 1981 as the International Year of Disabled Persons.
The aim of the day is to increase public awareness, understanding and accepting people with disability and celebrating their achievements and contributions.
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