AS-DIVYANGJAN

Union Minister Krishan Pal

Gurjar Thursday said participation of 'Divyangjan' is very

important to fulfil the dream of Digital India.

Inaugurating a two-day National Conference on

Disability here, the minister of state for Social Justice and

Empowerment said: "In this age of internet and technology, the

dream of Digital India will not be possible without the

participation and inclusion of Divyangjan".

Gurjar said that through the use of technology the

lives of Divyangjan can be made easier and they can be made

self-dependent.

"Ministry of social Justice and empowerment has taken

the issues of Divyangjan of North East as a challenge.

Technology can play a great role in facing this challenge. It

is felt from long time that awareness on this issue are very

much needed in this region and so the ministry has decided to

organise such conference here", he added.

The National Conference 'Disability and Social

Inclusion - The Role of Technology' was organised by National

Institute for Locomotor Disabilities (Divyangjan), (NILD),

Kolkata at IIT-Guwahati.

The minister further said that government has launched

a new scheme "Accessible India Campaign" (Sugamya Bharat

Abhiyan), a nationwide campaign to enable persons with

disabilities to gain universal access, equal opportunity for

development, independent living and participation in all

aspects of life in an inclusive society.

"Under this scheme government is providing cochlear

implant to deaf children. Government is importing these

devices. But if these devices can be produced here, it will

give more life to Divyangjan. This is a big challenge and IITs

have all the capability to fulfil this Challenge", he added.

As the Guest of Honour, IIT-G Director Gautam Biswas

said that miracles of science and technology has changed the

lives of people including 'Divyangjan'.