On the occasion of International Wheelchair Day 2025, Sugamya Yatra was organized today at Rajiv Chowk Metro Station, New Delhi, by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) and the Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD).  The Yatra aims to break myths associated with wheelchair users, promote accessibility, and encourage inclusivity in society.

The initiative received support from the Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disabilities (PDDU-NIPPD), Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), and Samarthyam – Centre for Universal Accessibility. Students and faculty members from the School of Planning and Architecture, the Vastu Kala Academy, Asha School, the PDDU-NIPPD and Delhi University participated in the event.

Key Activities at the Event:

• Accessibility Walk – An interactive experience where citizens and policymakers understood the real-life challenges faced by wheelchair users.
• Experiential Simulation Exercise – Non-disabled individuals used wheelchairs to gain firsthand experience of accessibility challenges.
• Panel Discussion – A thought-provoking dialogue featuring policymakers, social activists, and members of the disability community on inclusivity, accessibility, and disability rights.

Speaking at the event, Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, DEPwD, MSJE, emphasized the importance of accessibility, stating, “The Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) was launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2015, with the aim of making government buildings accessible to persons with disabilities. However, we often receive complaints that many buildings are still not fully accessible. Keeping this in mind, the campaign has been reactivated nationwide starting last month, with today’s event marking the beginning in New Delhi. This initiative will not only enhance accessibility in both government and private spaces but also create widespread awareness about inclusivity.”

Shri Aggarwal urged media professionals and the general public to actively participate in fostering an inclusive and accessible environment. He also stressed the importance of making digital content more accessible, stating, “While posting photos on social media, it is essential to add ALT descriptions, and for videos, transcriptions should be mandatory to ensure information is accessible to all”.

Ms. Manmeet Kaur Nanda, Joint Secretary, DEPwD, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding the Sugamya Yatra initiative nationwide. “Our efforts will not be limited to government offices alone; we will actively engage with private organizations to collaborate on making workplaces and public spaces more accessible for persons with disabilities,” she said.

Dr. S. Govindaraj, the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) spoke on how Sugamya Yatra is an expression of a life journey where everyone has many ups and downs. He emphasised that it is the duty of the society to support and strengthen the underprivileged and marginalised sections, especially persons with disabilities so as to let them enjoy the benefits of developments as any other fellow citizen. He highlighted the commitment of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and the CCPD Office to see that our whole nation is accessible and inclusive.  He added that the launch of Sugamya Yatra in New Delhi on the International Day of Wheelchair is not a one-day event but just an initiation which should stay strong till it accomplishes its goal.

Ms. Anjlee Agarwal, Executive Director, Samarthyam, highlighted the long-term vision of the initiative, and said, “Sugamya Yatra will be conducted across India, from villages to metropolitan cities, beginning today in Delhi. This initiative serves as a crucial message to policymakers, engineers, and architects to take proactive measures in making our environment disability-friendly.”

The event sent a powerful message that by eliminating mobility barriers, persons with disabilities can achieve greater independence and economic empowerment, paving the way for a truly inclusive society.

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VM