Shillong, August 5: The Office of the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities under the Social Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya, in collaboration with the Secretariat Administration Department (SAD) and Trestle Labs Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru, on Tuesday organised a sensitisation programme on "Assistive Technology and Digital Accessibility for Government Employees" under the theme "Promoting an Inclusive Workplace for Employees with Visual Impairment."
Addressing the gathering, Adviser to the Government of Meghalaya on Social Welfare, Paul Lyngdoh, stressed the importance of creating an inclusive work environment and leveraging Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to make government services and workplaces more accessible to persons with disabilities.
Congratulating the organisers, Lyngdoh said the initiative would help the State Government build a more inclusive ecosystem through the use of assistive technology and digital accessibility. He also appreciated the efforts of the Office of the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, the Secretariat Administration Department and Trestle Labs for organising the programme.
Highlighting the need to change perceptions towards persons with visual impairment, Lyngdoh said eyesight alone does not determine a person's vision or potential.
He said there are many people with perfect eyesight but no vision, while others with little or no eyesight possess extraordinary vision. He urged government employees to adopt a more inclusive and empathetic approach in their workplaces.
Lyngdoh also encouraged employees with disabilities not to view their disabilities as limitations but to recognise their abilities and potential to contribute meaningfully to society.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary of the Secretariat Administration Department (SAD), Swapnil Tembe, IAS, highlighted the initiatives undertaken by the department to make the Secretariat more accessible to persons with disabilities. He spoke about measures such as the construction of ramps, improved restroom facilities and other accessibility features aimed at ensuring greater convenience for persons with disabilities.
Tembe also said that if there were any suggestions for further improving accessibility, they could be brought to his notice so that the department could take appropriate steps to enhance facilities and make the Secretariat, as well as other government offices, more accessible to persons with disabilities.
On the occasion, Paul Lyngdoh handed over the Kibo assistive technology device to the Secretariat Administration Department for official use.
The programme was also attended by Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Lyngkor Kynjing, MCS; Director of Social Welfare, Saloni Verma, IAS; officials from various government departments; invited guests; and other participants.
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Shillong, August 3: As part of the nationwide Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat campaign, MY Bharat, East Khasi Hills organised the district-level Nasha Mukt Competitions at St. Edmund’s College yesterday, to encourage youth participation in the fight against drug abuse. The event brought together students and young people from across the district to spread awareness against drug abuse through creative expression and reinforce the message of a healthy, drug-free society.
Eight competitions centred on the theme of drug abuse prevention were conducted, providing participants with an opportunity to showcase their creativity through art, literature and performance. The competitions witnessed enthusiastic participation from students and youth, reflecting their commitment to the cause of building a drug-free society.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Bipul Das, DSP (Crime), East Khasi Hills, urged the youth to stay away from substance abuse and become responsible citizens. Emphasising the importance of collective action, he encouraged participants to take the lead in creating awareness and strengthening community efforts to combat the menace of drugs.
The programme was organised by District Youth Officer, My Bharat Shillong, Ministry of Youth Affairs, with the support of the dedicated MY Bharat team, ensuring the successful conduct of the competitions and awareness activities.
A special highlight of the programme was the visit of the district-level winners to Raj Bhavan, Shillong, where they had the opportunity to meet the Hon'ble Governor of Meghalaya. During the visit, the participants presented a powerful street play conveying the message of drug prevention and the importance of leading a healthy, addiction-free life. The performance was widely appreciated for effectively promoting the campaign's objectives and inspiring collective action against substance abuse.
The winners of the district-level competitions will represent East Khasi Hills at the State-Level Competitions. The state-level winners will subsequently compete at the National-Level Competitions under the Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat campaign.
Experts working in the field of drug abuse prevention also delivered informative sessions on the harmful effects of substance abuse, preventive measures and the importance of making informed life choices. The sessions provided valuable insights into the social, physical and psychological impact of drug addiction and highlighted the role of awareness in prevention.
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