Prime Minister Modi changed the country’s mindset by coining the term ‘Divyang’, calling persons with disabilities equal partners in nation-building: Scindia
The Sunday Mail
Ashoknagar/Bhopal. Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region and MP from Guna, Jyotiraditya Scindia, on Monday fulfilled his commitment of compassion and respect at a grand ‘Assistive Devices Distribution Camp for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens’ held in Marup village of Ashoknagar district in his parliamentary constituency. On this occasion, while distributing modern assistive devices to 1237 persons with disabilities and senior citizens, he said that this event is not just about distributing equipment, but a powerful step towards self-respect, self-reliance, and social inclusion.
*The Scindia Tradition of Service: Not Governance, but Duty*
Addressing the gathering, the Union Minister said that in the Gwalior-Chambal region, service has not been a matter of governance for the Scindia family, but a sacred duty performed for generations. He clarified that the target of reaching 8,240 persons with disabilities across the entire parliamentary constituency, including 1456 in Ashoknagar, 1745 in Guna, and 5250 in Shivpuri, is not limited to mere statistics, but is a commitment connected to the hope, dignity, and future of 8,240 families.
*A New Language of Self-Respect: Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Divyang’ Vision: Scindia*
Union Minister Scindia emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a new direction to the country’s thinking, sensitivity, and perspective by replacing the term ‘disabled’ with ‘Divyang’. Through examples like Rishi Ashtavakra, scientist Stephen Hawking, and Paralympic gold medalist Devendra Jhajharia, he said that ability is not born from the limitations of the body, but from determination and self-confidence. These examples show that persons with disabilities are partners in our collective responsibility of nation-building. Recognizing the unique abilities of persons with disabilities, Prime Minister Modi, for the first time in the country’s history, got the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, passed in Parliament and increased the allocation for persons with disabilities fivefold, from ₹330 crore to ₹2000 crore. Over the past 12 years, the BJP government has organized more than 18,000 camps across the country, empowering over 21 lakh persons with disabilities. Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, the Railway Department has issued special e-ticketing photo identity cards for persons with disabilities, facilitating their access to tickets. President Droupadi Murmu has honored 32 persons with disabilities with the Presidential Award. On this occasion, Union Minister Scindia also thanked Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Singh, for this initiative.
*A Pledge of Respect, Service, and Participation*
At the end of his address, the Union Minister said, “This soldier of yours will always stand with you and fight for your respect, empowerment, and self-reliance.” He urged all citizens to participate in the ‘Developed India 2047’ resolution and to more strongly integrate persons with disabilities into the mainstream of society.
