The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) and its affiliated National Institutes successfully concluded the Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2024 campaign. Various events, including Divya Kala Shakti, ADIP camps, Sign Language Day, and the Indian Board of Rehabilitation Education, were organized by the department under the Swachhata Pakhwada. During these events, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment (SJE), Dr. Virendra Kumar, administered the Swachhata Pledge.

At the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD) in Dehradun, Union Minister of State (SJE), Shri B.L. Verma graced the SHS programme as the chief guest. He participated in the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ tree plantation drive and inaugurated the newly constructed 'Accessible Library' for visually impaired students, which is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to facilitate easy learning.

Similarly, at the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID), the concluding event of the cleanliness campaign saw officials and staff reaffirm their commitment to maintaining hygiene and promoting cleanliness in their community.

Additionally, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Divyang Sports Training Center in Gwalior marked its foundation day with a sanitation awareness rally. The rally saw participation from 150 wheelchair athletes, national managers, referees, coaches, social workers, and Gwalior Municipal Corporation’s sanitation ambassadors, raising widespread awareness about the importance of cleanliness.

The fortnight-long campaign placed special emphasis on upgrading facilities for Divyang employees and staff, including the construction and inauguration of accessible toilets. A special medical camp was also held to ensure the well-being of sanitation workers.

The SHS campaign aims not only to ensure cleanliness and hygiene facilities for persons with disabilities but also to promote awareness about sanitation throughout society. The department remains committed to this cause and will continue to run such campaigns in the future.

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VM