The National Centre for Disability Studies (NCDS) of Indira Gandhi National Open University organized a series of activities to observe the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. A slogan completion was organized on the theme “Inclusion of persons with disabilities in society” in both Hindi & English for the staff members. A painting competition for children belonging to different age groups was held on the theme “Accessible India Campaign” initiated by the Government of India. 

 

The winners of the slogan competition and painting competition were awarded mementoes and certificates by the Chief Guest, Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Ian Cardozo, AVSM, SM and Prof. Ravindra Kumar, the Vice-chancellor at Baba Saheb Ambedkar Convention Centre, IGNOU. 

 

Maj. Gen. Cardozo, a veteran war disabled and former Chairperson of Rehabilitation Council of India delivered a lecture on “The rights and status of persons with disabilities in Indian society”. He shared the struggles faced by him after getting injured in the battle of Sylhet in Bangladesh and called upon the need to support the cause of disability and ‘never give up’.

 

Professor Ravindra Kumar said that IGNOU as an institution is sensitive to the needs to learners with disability and strives to provide various facilities to them. He called Maj. Gen. Cardozo as the first ODL ambassador of IGNOU for promoting programmes through distance education mode.  

 

Dr. Hemlata, Director, NCDS presented the activities of the NCDS and vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. S.K. Mishra, Dy. Director, NCDS and coordinator of the programme.