Baripada, September 9: A regional-level awareness camp on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, along with a quiz competition, was organised at the conference hall of MPC Autonomous College, Baripada.
The programme focused on creating awareness about the rights, protection, social security and various government schemes and facilities available to persons with disabilities. Emphasis was also laid on ensuring their inclusion in the mainstream of society.
The inaugural session began after floral tribute was paid to the statue of Maharaja Purnachandra Bhanjadeo. The college’s Administrative Head, Dr. Deepak Kumar Behera, coordinated the programme, while Principal Prof. Narayan Prasad Behera delivered the welcome address and introduced the guests. Dr. Hemanta Kumar Ghadhei, Regional Director of Education, Balasore, spoke about the objectives and significance of the programme.
The State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Ms. Bratati Harichandan, attended the event as the chief guest. She emphasised that persons with disabilities should not be treated merely with sympathy, but should be actively supported and included in the mainstream of society through collective participation and cooperation.
On the occasion, District Social Security Officer Gopinath Sai and OSD in the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Devi Prasad Barik, briefed the participants about various government schemes and facilities available for persons with disabilities.
Subject expert Ram Kishore Sharma gave a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. This was followed by an interactive discussion and question-and-answer session between the guests and participants.
A quiz competition was subsequently organised with teams from eight colleges representing four districts. The participating institutions included MPC Autonomous College, Baripada; Government Women’s College, Baripada; F.M. Autonomous College, Balasore; Kuntala Kumari Women’s College, Balasore; Government Women’s College, Keonjhar; College of Teacher Education, Balasore; UGC-TE, Baripada; and Bhadrak Autonomous College, Bhadrak.
The team from Kuntala Kumari Women’s College, Balasore, emerged as the winner of the quiz competition. During the valedictory session, prizes and certificates were presented by the guests to the winning team as well as all participating teams.
At the end of the programme, Dr. Ashutosh Prayash Dash, Financial Head of the college, proposed the formal vote of thanks.
Teachers, students and representatives from various colleges participated in the programme and gained awareness about the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
