Odisha Disability Conclave 2024 held in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: VIEWS organized the Odisha Disability Conclave 2024 at the Odisha Association for the Blind (OAB) in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

The event aimed to bring policymakers, government officials, civil society organizations, and media together to discuss the effective implementation of disability rights laws and policies in Odisha.

The conclave was inaugurated by Mr. Sannyashi Behera, Deputy Secretary, SSEPD Department, Government of Odisha, in the presence of Mrs. Kasturi Mohapatra, Former State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Government of Odisha; Mr. Sushanta Panda, Additional Secretary, Cooperation Department, Government of Odisha; Mr. Rajiv Kumar Raul from Azim Premji Foundation; and Mr. Maheswar Rout, President of OAB.

In his welcome address, Mr. S. Bheema Rao, Executive Director of VIEWS, stated, “Odisha Disability Conclave 2024, a civil society initiative, provides a platform for policymakers, civil society organizations, media, and academic institutions to discuss the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Odisha. It also showcases best practices empowering them. I am glad that over 200 participants from across the state attended this event.”

Mr. Sannyashi Behera highlighted that, according to the 2011 Census, Odisha had 11,44,902 differently-abled people, and this number is expected to rise in future censuses.

He stressed the importance of ensuring basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter for persons with disabilities.

Referring to the recent Supreme Court ruling that affirmed accessibility for disabled persons as a fundamental right, he said, “If this order is not implemented effectively, accessibility cannot truly be a fundamental right. We must work collectively to ensure this.”

Mr. Sushanta Panda, Additional Secretary, Cooperation Department, emphasized the need for inclusive societal development, adding, “Awareness drives at the gram panchayat, block, and district levels are essential to address the challenges faced by disabled individuals.”

Mrs. Kasturi Mohapatra, Former State Commissioner for PWDs, praised the efforts of those working to ensure the rights of disabled individuals.

She urged society to fulfill their basic needs and called for greater love, acceptance, and respect for persons with disabilities.The conclave concluded with a call to action for creating an inclusive and accessible Odisha.