150 laptops distributed to students with blindness to connect with digital world

Bhubaneswar: SSEPD Minister Prafulla Samal on Wednesday distributed 150 laptops to students with blindness pursuing higher education at the National Career Service Centre for Differently Abled here.

Samal said that the newly created Department of Social Security and Empowerment of PwDs (SSEPD) is trying to the best of its ability for comprehensive development of PwDs.

Laptop with JAWS software was distributed to students with blindness pursuing higher education which will connect them with internet technology which will connect them to access information across the world.

He added that the department has enhanced from Rs. 50 lakhs to Rs. 2 crores per annum from this year onwards to provide free laptops to 250 such beneficiaries.

SSEPD secretary Niten Chandra said the corporate world should utilise at least 5% fund under CSR for the empowerment of PwDs.

He said that Odisha is one of the states in the country which has separate Department and independent officer for PwDs at block and district level.

SSEPD director Susanta Mohapatra appealed the students to utilise the given assistance properly to become independent and contribute meaningfully in the development of the country.