International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PwD), 2020 was observed by Caritas India Swaraksha Anti-Human Trafficking (AHT) programme in various parts of Uttar Pradesh.

Every year, 3rd December is observed as the International Day of Person with Disabilities to promote full and equal participation of persons with disabilities and to take action for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society and development.

This year, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities was commemorated throughout the week between 30 November to 4 December in conjunction with the 13th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The theme for this year is “Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 World”.

Across the Globe, the programme was observed amidst Covid-19. Though PwDs are the most affected from the Pandemic their zeal didn’t stop them to come together for being a part of this big event.

Swaraksha AHT Program Partners along with the Divyangjan on this special day celebrated the day by organizing different events to foster an inclusive culture and the complete realization of the human rights of all persons with disabilities as an integral part of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. Social Inclusion of PwDs in society is necessary for building confidence among them. They need to be included in all the social activities so that they can feel as a part of Society. When we talk of Inclusive development in the community, we need to involve PwDs also in every aspect of our development process.

In Uttar Pradesh, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities was observed at Masih Sevashram Inter College Nichlol under the aegis of Purvanchal Gramin Sewa Samiti (PGSS) where the honourable Deputy Collector, Mr. Ram Sajeevan Maurya, graced the occasion as Chief Guest along with Father Mathews, Assistant Director, PGSS Gorakhpur. The program was presided over by Father Francis Joseph, Guardian of PGSS Nichlaul and Principal of Masih Sevashram Inter College.

Father Matthew shared the Importance of the Day and informed that in 2005 the day was named as Udaan and today we are celebrating the 16th Udaan where every PwDs should touch the heights of the sky. Several Games were conducted to encourage the PwDs and the winners were awarded by the special guests.

Speaking at the occasion, SDM Shri Ram Sajeevan Maurya said, “Divyang Jan should always have confidence in themselves to reach their destination and meet their desires. There is no such thing that you cannot do, you are not called as Disable but you all are differently-abled”. There are more special characteristics inside the person if there is any deformity in his body. He appreciated PGSS & Caritas India for this in every field, which is commendable.

In another Program Caritas India Partner DSWS Lucknow observed the day with Children and Youth with Disabilities at Nirmaan Rehabilitation centre in Shakuntala Mishra University for PwDs. This event was organized to sensitize and create awareness among the PwDs on their rights and entitlements.

It is informed that the Department of Empowerment of Person with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Govt. of India, the nodal agency takes several measures and launches different schemes for the benefits of PwDs. The project “Unique ID for Persons with Disabilities” is being implemented with a view of creating a National Database for PwDs, and to issue a Unique Disability Identity Card to each person with disabilities. The project not only encourages transparency, efficiency and ease of delivering the government benefits to the person with disabilities but also ensure uniformity. The project also helps in streamlining the tracking of the physical and financial progress of beneficiary at all levels of the hierarchy of implementation – from village level, block level, District level, State level and National level.

The objective of organizing this event was to get connected with the PwDs, as they can be at threat of being trafficked at this pandemic hour & moreover like every vulnerable individual they can also be lured by perpetrators for work and can end up with trafficking. It was the day to sensitize them and encourage them that they can do anything if they had a zeal to reach the destination & they can prevent themselves from being Trafficked by not getting lured from the jargon of the Traffickers or Agents.