Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday for changing how India sees people with disabilities. He highlighted Modi’s decision to replace the term “Viklang” with “Divyang,” a move that Shah said shifts the focus to dignity and empowerment.
Speaking at the foundation stone ceremony for new buildings at Shri Parsmal Bohra Blind College in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Shah celebrated the government’s push to support differently-abled individuals. He laid the stones for a new college building, boys’ hostel, and girls’ hostel, all costing about Rs 15 crore. “These facilities will spark new hope for children with disabilities,” Shah said confidently.
Shah also spotlighted the lifelong work of Sushila Bohra, who has run schools, colleges, hostels, Braille presses, and tech labs for decades to help visually impaired people. Thanks to her efforts, many have landed jobs in government, banking, private companies, and even argued cases in the Supreme Court.
He recalled that Modi introduced “Divyang” back in 2015. “When society views people with disabilities as symbols of divinity, real empowerment starts,” Shah noted.
The minister pointed to India’s rising success in the Paralympics as proof that disabilities don’t hold back talent. He mentioned Rajasthan’s star athlete Devendra Jhajharia, who has won global glory. From just eight medals between 1960 and 2012, India grabbed 52 in the last three Games. “Our government gave Divyang athletes the platforms and support they needed,” Shah added.
Shah outlined key achievements under Modi’s leadership for disability empowerment. The budget for the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities jumped from Rs 338 crore in 2014 to Rs 1,313 crore. Through the Accessible India Campaign, Rs 563 crore went toward making 1,314 government buildings and 90 airports friendly for differently-abled people. Over the past decade, 3.1 million individuals received artificial limbs via 18,000 camps—far more than the 700,000 helped before 2014.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma commended Shah’s major contributions to India’s security and justice, including scrapping Article 370, rolling out new criminal laws, and passing the CAA. He said the new buildings—named Motilal Oswal Gyandeep Bhawan for the college, Motilal Oswal Jyoti Sadan for the girls’ hostel, and HG Foundation Divya Jyoti Bhawan for the boys’ hostel—will unlock fresh opportunities for differently-abled kids. Sharma stressed that Modi’s switch to “Divyang” goes beyond words; it’s a real step toward respect and self-reliance.
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat called Jodhpur, a city famous for its warmth and heritage, a rising center for inclusive education. The upgrades, he said, will boost confidence and independence among students with disabilities.
During the event, Shah released the Braille edition of “Main Na Thaki Na Haari,” Sushila Bohra’s biography. Organizers also honored philanthropists who donated to the college.
The ceremony drew Supreme Court Justice Sandeep Mehta, Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel, Social Justice Minister Avinash Gehlot, and a big crowd of locals.
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