NCDC, ANVolife Foundation, SkilledIQ Educational Trust & Rotary Club of Kolkata Benevolence Observed International Day for Persons with Disabilities 2025

News Desk, News Nation 360 : Nabajatak Child Development Centre, in collaboration with the ANVolife Foundation, SkilledIQ Educational Trust, and the Rotary Club of Kolkata Benevolence, successfully organised the International Day for Persons with Disabilities - 2025. The event brought together experts, parents, students, and community members for an entertaining evening focused on promoting inclusion, accessibility, and empowerment. Dr S. Govindaraj, Commissioner, PWD, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, and Dr Ramendu Homchoudhury, District Governor, RID 3291, graced the occasion. The evening began with introductory remarks and a formal welcome for dignitaries. Dr S. Govindaraj, Commissioner, PWD, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, addressed the occasion, stating that the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) originated in the tragic events of 1981; hence, it is a day to be observed rather than celebrated. Its goal is to remind governments and organisations of their responsibilities to implement effective programs and fulfil their social obligations by promoting education, employment, and dignity for people with disabilities. Over time, the nomenclature has evolved from 'handicapped' to 'physically challenged,' and now to 'Divyangjan,' representing a

movement from a welfare paradigm to a social model influenced by the UNCRPD and the RPD Act 2016. The emphasis must be on diversity, accessibility, and developing empathy, which leads to empowerment. A meaningful wheelchair donation ceremony punctuated the programme, underlining a mutual concern for better mobility and independence of children with disabilities. Two panel discussions made up the core of the programme: “Inclusive Healthcare: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Accessibility” brought together experts in the fields of fetal medicine, neonatology, developmental physiotherapy, and optometry to impress upon the audience the need for integrated systems of care, while “From Awareness to Action: Education, Policy, and Community Empowerment” presented voices from medical genetics, dentistry, mental wellness, and organisational leadership to put inclusion into action. Sandwiched between these panels, the spotlight presentations emphasised a view of the Kolkata Development Model, collaborations between Nabajatak, SkilledIQ, and Asha CDC, and an inspiring story of barrier-breaking through martial arts, situating these conversations in real-world practice and individual resilience. The day closed with an interactive parent session, a vote of thanks, group photos, and networking, mutually reconfirming the desire to build an accessible, informed, and inclusive future for persons with disabilities.

Pic - Krishnendu Kundu