President Witnesses Extraordinary Performances by Divyang Children at Cultural Event

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The President of India Ram Nath Kovind witnessed extraordinary performances by the Divyang Children at a cultural event ‘Divya Kala Shakti- Witnessing Ability in Disability’ organised by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, at G M C Balayogi Auditorium, Parliament Library Building, here on July 23, 2019.

The Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, PM Narendra Modi, and Speaker, Lok Sabha, Om Birla, were the Guests of Honour. Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawarchand Gehlot and many Ministers were present. Members of Parliament from Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha and the Secretaries to many Central Ministries/ Departments also attended this special event, which was organised for the second time.

In March, 2019, the DEPwD, received a request from the President’s Secretariat to conduct a cultural programme for Divyang children on the premises of Rashtrapati Bhawan on  April 18, 2019, with an aim to further creating awareness regarding the tremendous potential that is waiting to be harnessed.

Altogether 175 Artistes were drawn from different states, cultural societies, institutions, civil societies to make it a truly nationalistic spirit. The Department arranged for their rehearsals and practise session with the choreographer and the discipline and precision of timing and performance among such children is the greatest example of their intellectual, creative and their latent ability that needs to be harnessed for their optimal self-actualisation.

The President Secretariat made necessary arrangements for making the stage and venue accessible for Persons with Disabilities along with necessary arrangements including sound and light equipment. The Cultural event  “Divya Kala Shakti: Witnessing Ability in Disability” commenced on April 18, 2019, evening,  in the esteemed presence of  the President of India who interacted with the participants and group photos were taken. The programme was anchored by 3 youths with visual impairments disabilities; and performances were presented only by children and youth with disabilities ranging from physical, visual, hearing, intellectual, autism to multiple disabilities, according to a PIB release.