The International Day of Persons With Disabilities for the year 2021-22 was celebrated by the Department of Social Security and Women and Child Development, Punjab today at the Urdu Academy Malerkotla. Such programs were also celebrated at every district level in which medical camps/UDID camps for disabled persons were organised. The Chief Guest at the function was Mrs. Razia Sultana, Cabinet Minister, Department of Social Security and Women and Child Development, Punjab. The function was presided over by Mrs. Raji P Srivastava, Principal Secretary, IAS, Government of Punjab. Persons with disabilities who have done remarkable deeds were also honored and artificial limbs were also donated to the needy. Cabinet minister Mrs. Razia Sultana congratulated all Punjabis on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities and said that the Punjab Government was committed to ensure the welfare, employment and equality of persons with disabilities in the state.
She also informed that the Department of Social Security was running various schemes for the welfare of disabled persons, the benefits of these various schemes were being extended to disabled persons. The Punjab Government has made tremendous efforts to uplift the living standards of these individuals and bring them into the mainstream of society. She thanked the NGO ALIMCO working in this field and said that the initiative of this organization to donate free organs is appreciable. She also appealed to the organization representatives to set up a special camp at Malerkotla for the welfare of the people of the area. She said that this is a work of charity and the Punjab Government will always stand by them to provide them every possible assistance.
Earlier, the Director of the Department, Mr. DPS Kharbanda, IAS and organizations with special contribution in this field and other intellectuals participated. Mr. Kharbanda welcomed the Cabinet Minister and Principal Secretary as well as all the organizations, intellectuals and other members present at the function. Meanwhile Principal Secretary said that the persons with disabilities were an important part of our society and today is the day to promote their rights and welfare and make them aware about all aspects of social, economic and cultural life. During the function, Cabinet Minister Mrs. Razia Sultana also inaugurated the Women's Shop (Rural Hut) dedicated for Women Empowerment at local Improvement Trust Market. On this occasion, Deputy Commissioner Malerkotla Mrs. Madhavi Kataria, SDM Malerkotla Mr. Jasbir Singh, District Social Security Officer Malerkotla Mrs. Lovlin Bling, DPO Mr. Gagandeep Singh, apart from other officials and dignitaries, were also present.