Marching Towards Inclusive Growth

Not everyone is fortunate enough to be born with a healthy body. As per the figures of the World Health Organization, about 15% of the world’s population lives with some form of disability, of whom 2-4% experience significant in functioning. According to a 2001 census by Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, in our own country, 21 million people are suffering from disability of a kind or the other. It might be shocking, but this is equivalent to 2.1% of the population.

Blessed with a fully functional body, the predicaments people with disability face might be beyond the figment of our imagination. Imagine how it might feel not to be able to see the bright beautiful world or listen to the serene sounds of nature. Can you imagine how it’d feel not being able to express yourself or vent out your feelings through words? The life of people with disabilities is much more challenging than we can imagine.

In a bid to walk towards inclusive development, the government of Madhya Pradesh has charted a set of rules for Divyangjan that include Human Resource Development and their Rehabilitation, creating Public Awareness on disability, providing facilities for the empowerment of people with disability and ensuring social security for them among others. The government is taking effective measures to make certain such people enjoy their rights equally like others. Efforts are being made to provide free-of-cost education to every child with a disability between the age group 6 to 18 years. Reservations in higher education, government jobs, allocation of land, poverty alleviation schemes, etc are being provided to the Divyangjan.

Programmes and campaigns are being conducted to raise awareness on disabilities, myths associated with them, vaccinations, etc. Endeavors are being made to ensure easy accessibility for people with disabilities in myriad places, including bus stands, railway stations, government, and private offices, etc. Attempts are being made by the government to bring improvements in the Rights of Person with Disabilities Act 2016.

However, the government alone cannot be a harbinger of change in the lives of these people. As individuals, and as part of society at large, it is our responsibility to work for their upliftment. The most important thing in this regard is to stop discriminating and accepting them as one amongst us. It is equally important to help Divyangjan. and stop eyeing them with pity and sympathy. In most cases, it has been observed that such individuals are more gifted than us and can outperform us if given a chance. We need to remember that a country can only rise above its odds when every section of the society has an opportunity to be empowered and collectively take a step towards inclusive growth.

Commissioner for Person with Disabilities, Madhya Pradesh is asking for ideas and suggestions from the citizens of Madhya Pradesh to uplift PWD’s through a digital campaign at MPMYGov. Do you have ideas that it can revolutionize the lives of disabled people or make their lives hassle-free? Share your valuables ideas and suggestions to render your participation towards their upliftment.