New Delhi, August 8 (MExN): With the aim to empower persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities on Digital Technology, a ‘National Convention on Digital Best Practices and North East Summit’ was organised by MoSJE at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi on August 7.
The summit, held under the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE), was also aimed at increasing the footfall of the schemes and activities of the National Trust in the region, an official release said.
The first of its kind summit was organised for the 7 NE states celebrating the 75th year of Independence of the country, said the MoSJE’s release via PIB.
Gracing the event, MoSJE Minister Dr Virendra Kumar urged the Department to spread this convention to the entire country with more participation of the real stakeholders i.e. Divyangjan as he truly believed that nothing could be discussed without their presence, it said.
In their addresses, Minister of State, MoSJE Pratima Bhoumik highlighted the rich cultural and religious heritage as well as diversity of the tribal population in the region while MoS, A Narayanswamy shared that the various schemes of the National Trust meant for all age groups need to be expanded to the entire country.
The representative of the 7 NE States highlighted that convergence of the schemes of the Government is extensively needed and stated that the Anganwadis of Ministry of Women and Child Development need to be collaborated with the Disha Early Intervention Centers of the National trust to reach the rural population of the North East, the release added.
In the the technical session, Prof (Dr) Madhusudan Rao of IIT Delhi shared the Research and Innovation for Product Development for Divyangjan while Prof Ravi Poovaiah and Dr Ajanta Sen from IIT Mumbai presented the Jellow-an AAC Communicator for Children with Speech Disability.
Other panelists included Nipun Malhotra, co-founder and CEO of the Nipman Foundation that works in the area of health and advocacy for Persons with Disabilities; Dr Jinamoni Saikia, Principal Scientist, Assam Agricultural University who shared the status of development of Children with Disabilities in the NE region; and Dr Sapam Jasowanta Singh, Board Member National Trust who shared overall status of Divyangjan in NE States.
