Cultural event, Divya Kala Shakti — Witnessing Ability in Disability, organised by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DepEd), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The Vice President and chairman of Rajya Sabha, M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, speaker of Lok Sabha, Om Birla, were the guests of honour. Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Thaawarchand Gehlot and other ministers were also present. Members of Parliament from Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha and the Secretaries to many Central Ministries/Departments also attended this special event, which was organized for the second time.
The DepEd received a request from the President’s Secretariat to conduct a cultural programme for divyang children in the premises of Rashtrapati Bhawan with an aim to further create awareness regarding the tremendous potential that is waiting to be harnessed. In order to organise the function, three major steps were taken:
— To invite entries of participants through national institutes
— To appoint a professional choreographer in order to mentor the participating teams
— To make the Rashtrapati Bhawan cultural centre fully accessible.
One hundred and seventy five artistes have been drawn from different states, cultural societies and institutions. The discipline, precision of timing and performance among such children is the greatest example of their intellect and creative ability, which needs to be harnessed for their optimal self-actualisation.
The President Secretariat made necessary arrangements for making the stage and venue accessible for these children. They are capable of excelling in any field be it art, culture or sports. The audience will always remember the inspiring words said by the President that we need to spread the message of the rights and skills of divyang children across the country.
DepEd also provides rehabilitation services, training, education and conducts research on disabilities. Besides providing financial support to civil society organisations for sensitising people about the rights of disabled people; the government confers national awards every year in recognition of excellence of individuals with disabilities.
