Shillong, Dec 3: True measure of a society is not how it treats the strong, but how it uplifts those who face challenges, said Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma while addressing the International Day of Persons with Disabilities observed at U Soso Tham Auditorium here on Wednesday.
Joining the rest of the world in the celebration, the Chief Minister said, “Today, we celebrate extraordinary ability – the power to overcome, to create, and to inspire.”
Former minister and advisor to Social Welfare department Paul Lyngdoh was also present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister said Meghalaya’s flagship platform has shifted narratives from charity to rights, from pity to dignity and from labels to abilities.
“Through the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project, we created the Eastern Brook Band, musicians with disabilities, who now carry our state’s story to the world,” he said.
The Chief Minister also said Meghalaya’s first Disability Anthem has reshaped public perception into a statewide emblem of hope.
“Our inclusive debate competition opened college doors to neurodivergent students. We identified 30 PwD entrepreneurs, funded eight with Rs 2.5 lakh each, and established the first PwD-run CSC in the entire Northeast,” he informed.
He said the first blind football tournament was organised which taught important values of solidarity.
“As of today, we have fully implemented the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, the Meghalaya Rules, and the State Policy for Empowerment,” he said and informed that 41 government buildings were made fully accessible with 84 government websites accessible.
The Chief Minister also said the Meghalaya Sign Bank App, 10,000 signs which was nationally awarded, ensures digital participation for all.
“Our statewide community-based rehabilitation network reaches all districts and 46 blocks with over 70 percent UDID coverage with 32,000 PwDs having their identity cards,” he said, adding that 58 merit-based scholarships are awarded annually with 370 students who have benefitted.
“Our District Resource Centres bring physiotherapy, speech therapy, audiology and early intervention services to every corner,” he stated.
He further informed that Meghalaya became the first state in the Northeast to embed mental well-being within governance and lauded several PwD who have risen against all odds and have become achievers and beacons of hope and inspiration in various fields.
“As we celebrate EMPOWERFEST 3.0, we celebrate a movement that transformed isolation into participation and sympathy into empowerment. EMPOWERFEST stands for Meghalaya that believes in talent, dignity, and equity. We have to remove barriers whether physical, digital, educational, economic. Listen to silenced voices. Believe that every person in Meghalaya has a gift to offer and a rightful place in our society. Let us pledge that in Meghalaya, no dream will be too distant, no voice too faint, and no ability too small to matter,” he said.
The Chief Minister also felicitated the outstanding PwDs and gave the awards to the winners of the Inclusive Film Festival, EMPOWERFEST.
Inauguration of K-9 Sniffer Dogs Canine Unit and MoU with Sankaradeva College for State Wide Drugs Survey also formed a part of the occasion.
