Kohima, June 4 (DIPR): The Governor of Nagaland, Nikhil Kumar gracing as the chief guest, the inaugural session of the Consultative meeting cum workshop on National Trust, UNCRPD and Rights and Scheme of Disability, on June 4 at the Zonal Council Hall Kohima, reminded the names of Stevin Hawkins and Beethoven and said that history has lot of instances where disabled people influence lifestyles, thinking and also gave enormous knowledge and pleasure to the people. “There are lots of instances where people have overcome their disability and made a place for themselves in the society”, he added.
He further viewed that determination and commitment are the more important issues and encouraged the differently abled persons by saying, “It comes to you from your mind, from your heart and it is more a question of what commitment and determination you have to leading a normal person.”
The Governor complimented the chairperson of National Trust, Poonam Natarajan and her team and assured them of all possible help. “This Government is sensitive to the needs of the differently abled people and the State Government will not be found wanting in extending the type of assistance they (disabled people) need", the Governor added.
Parliamentary Secretary for Social Welfare Chotisuh Sazo who also addressed the gathering said that the Government is trying to create awareness with other allied departments and informed that it has received positive response from ATI and Nagaland University. He expressed optimism that the workshop would create an impact to the society whereby the society would give more importance in this area. He lauded the NGOs, like NAPAD, Enabled, Cherry Blossom Society etc and hoped that other organization and departments would follow suit.
Chairperson of the National Trust, in her Keynote address opined that the whole thinking about disability has changed over the years. She said that it was important to understand the paradigm shift wherein she stressed on the necessity of Social Model. She also viewed that disability ought to be looked into with an entire holistic approach and opined that training and policies would depend on the whole attitude towards people with disability.
Additional Chief Secretary & Development Commissioner, Nagaland Alemtemshi (IAS) who chaired the programme expressed hope that the timely workshop would lead to the betterment of society at large. In the programme, Additional Secretary Social Welfare Nagaland delivered the welcome note.
The programme was organized by Social Welfare Department and Nagaland Parents Association for Disabled (NAPAD) under the aegis of National trust (Ministry of Social Justice and empowerment)
