UP CM urges citizens to help build 'barrier-free India' for persons with disabilities

This is why Indias wisdom traditions have never regarded the body as the basis of ones capability, the chief minister said.The Uttar Pradesh government has increased the disability pension from Rs 300 to Rs 1,000 and expanded the beneficiary base from Rs 8 lakh to more than Rs 11 lakh, ensuring transparency through technology.The state has also established quality institutions for persons with disabilities and is rapidly expanding the distribution of assistive devices to support their everyday needs, he said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday urged people and officials to work with sensitivity and commitment to create a barrier-free India for persons with disabilities.

He was addressing a gathering on the occasion of Vishwa Divyang Diwas (International Day of Persons with Disabilities) at an event organised to honour individuals and organisations contributing to disability empowerment, distribute scholarships, and provide assistive devices.

The chief minister said, ''Let us be sensitive, let us be supportive. Let us honestly fulfil our role in building a barrier-free India for 'divyangjan' (persons with disabilities).'' ''I want to say only one thing -- every small effort can bring a new change,'' he added.

Adityanath said 'divyangjan' remain an essential part of the nation's strength.

''You are no less than anyone. Your courage, talent and success are the strength of a new India. The government and society stand firmly with you.

''With full confidence, I assure you that every kind of support will be provided,'' he said.

The chief minister added that the state government is committed to ensuring that all schemes and benefits meant for 'divyangjan' reach them without delay.

Adityanath further said, ''With the guidance of the honourable prime minister, there is no shortage of anything. The government is standing with you on every level.'' Emphasising that physical appearance has no bearing on a person's capabilities or their ability to achieve goals, Adityanath highlighted India's ancient Rishi tradition, which teaches that ''true ability is defined not by the body but by the mind, determination, and self-confidence''.

He referred to the Ashtavakra Gita, written by the sage, Ashtavakra, who guided King Janaka of Videha toward self-realisation, and cited medieval saint Surdas as another symbol of extraordinary ability rising above physical limitations.

Highlighting examples from within the state government, he said, ''The secretary of the Sports and Youth Welfare Department in Uttar Pradesh is a Paralympic medalist and a member of India's most successful Paralympic contingent. ''Similarly, the divisional commissioner of Chitrakoot, despite being visually impaired, is performing his role with full efficiency,'' Adityanath said.

These examples, he said, reaffirm that determination and self-confidence, not physical form, are the true measures of strength. This is why India's wisdom traditions have never regarded the body as the basis of one's capability, the chief minister said.

''The Uttar Pradesh government has increased the disability pension from Rs 300 to Rs 1,000 and expanded the beneficiary base from Rs 8 lakh to more than Rs 11 lakh, ensuring transparency through technology.

''The state has also established quality institutions for persons with disabilities and is rapidly expanding the distribution of assistive devices to support their everyday needs,'' he said. Claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's use of the term 'Divyang' has introduced a ''new language of respect and a positive mindset'' across the country,he said, ''Besides free training, skill development, and employment initiatives, the state has implemented 4 per cent reservation in government services and 5 per cent reservation in educational institutions for persons with disabilities.'' The chief minister further said more than 16.23 lakh Unique Disability Identity (UDID) cards have been issued in Uttar Pradesh, with over 19.74 lakh registrations completed.

He added, ''Under this regime, the leprosy pension has been raised from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000, and grants for prosthetic limbs have been increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000. Support has also been extended for modern assistive technologies such as smartphones, tablets, and Daisy players.

''So far, over 3.84 lakh prosthetic devices have been distributed. Surgical assistance has been enhanced from Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000, and cochlear implants are being supported with a grant of Rs 6 lakh. This year alone, 108 children have successfully undergone cochlear implant surgery,'' Adityanath said.

The chief minister also paid tribute to Dr Rajendra Prasad on his birth anniversary.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)