Young achievers working for uplift of disabled honoured

New Delhi, Sep 26 (UNI) Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Meira Kumar today presented the Annual Awards of the National Trust given to individuals, volunteers, NGOs and persons with disabilities for achievements in the Disability Sector.

''Each one of you now has a duty to create more awareness and make people understand that disabled people can also do many things if given an opportunity,'' she said addressing a gathering on the occassion.

The Minister said, It was a pleasure to give out the Awards to all the young achievers, each one of whom was an inspiration and a role model.

While underlining that each Award was specially instituted to ensure that this forms a source of encouragement for all round progress, she said the National Trust was now focusing on creating a platform for ensuring skill development and capacity building of people with disabilities.

''Therefore, awards for innovative design and best products, are important. It is heartening to see that the innovative design is to facilitate the education of profoundly disabled people,'' said Mrs Kumar.

''The National Trust has set up Samarth - a Respite Care and Prolonged Stay Project, and at present, there were 105 projects, running. Even in these programmes, we have made a consistent effort to encourage the participation of the local community,'' she added.

The Minister also inaugurated the newly designed website of the National Trust. Secretary of Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry, Veena Chhotray and chairperson of the National Trust Poonam Natarajan were also present on the occasion.

UNI