As part of the celebrations of the special week under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and to recognize the need for promotion of understanding of disability issues and mobilization of support for the dignity, rights, and well being of persons with disabilities, the Consulate General of India in Birgunj organized a panel discussion on the topic “Disability: Legal Provisions and Societal Norms” in the premises of Consulate on December 27, 2021. The panel consisted of Shri Abhishek Chaudhary- Member of the Rotary Club of Birgunj, Dr. Anand Jha, Pediatrician and Member of the Rotary Club of Birgunj, Dr. Saswat Prasad, Orthopedic Surgeon and Chief of Rotary Limb Project of Birgunj, Shri Krishna Ji, Secretary of Little Flower Leprosy Welfare Association of Sundarpur, Raxaul, Shri John Tho, In charge of Community Based Rehabilitation Project in Duncan Hospital at Raxaul, Ms. Sanu Gurung, Coordinator of Manav Sewa Ashram of Birgunj and Shri Nitesh Kumar, Consul General of India. The officers and other members of the Consulate were in attendance during the discussion.
The panelists highlighted the roles of their organizations viz. Manav Seva Ashram, Little Flower Leprosy Association, Rotary Club, and Duncan Hospital in treatment, rehabilitation, and welfare of disabled persons in Indo-Nepal border area. They also mentioned various laws and regulations of the government to ensure equal rights and opportunities for disabled persons.
Shri Nitesh Kumar, Consul General thanked the participants for their divergent and informative views on the topic and highlighted various programmes and schemes of Government of India for disabled persons including the issuance of Unique Disability Identity Cards (UDID) by the government. He also stated that numerous disabled persons in different parts of the globe have overcome their mental and physical disabilities successfully through hard work and willpower.