Dehradun: In a significant step towards empowering persons with disabilities, Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), inaugurated a new Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK) at the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD) in Dehradun today. The Kendra, operated by the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), aims to provide state-of-the-art services and equipment to support the rehabilitation and empowerment of Divyangjans.
During the event, Aggarwal inspected various units of the Kendra, including the Prosthetics and Orthotics Lab, Store Room, and Audiology Room. Addressing the gathering, he commended the services provided by the institute, emphasizing their critical role in empowering Divyangjans. He announced that 65 Divyasha Kendras have already been established across the country, with plans to expand the network to 300 centers in the near future.
The Secretary also visited the Manufacture of Braille Appliances (MBA) workshop, where he examined the machines and equipment used in the production of Braille devices. Aggarwal instructed officials to make every effort to further enhance the workshop’s capabilities and called for the disposal of outdated machines through MSTC Limited. Additionally, he inspected the Training Centre for the Adult Blind (TCAB) and the Department of Special Education and Research (DSER), directing authorities to expedite ongoing projects.
In a move to directly support Divyangjans, electric tricycles were distributed to beneficiaries at the Divyasha Kendra in the presence of the Secretary. Shri Aggarwal interacted with the recipients, encouraging them to use these aids to become self-reliant and earn a livelihood.
Later in the day, Aggarwal visited the National Book Trust (NBT) Book Promotion Center, where he explored various initiatives aimed at Divyangjans, including an audio conversion project for self-composed stories by children from the institute’s Model School. The Secretary praised the initiative and urged the team to accelerate the process of converting books into audio formats using artificial intelligence technology.
Er. Manish Verma, Director of NIEPVD, provided an overview of the institute’s services during the event. Aggarwal discussed the effectiveness of these services, offering suggestions for further improvement, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for persons with disabilities.
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