The grand closing ceremony of the Divya Kala Mela took place at Akota Stadium, Vadodara, in the esteemed presence of Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Ramdas Athawale. The event commenced with a mesmerizing dance performance on Ganesh Vandana.

Shri Athawale assured every possible support to Divyangjans, emphasizing their integral role in building an Atmanirbhar Bharat. Highlighting the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, he said, “By 2047, when India would celebrate 100 years of independence, our Divyangjans will inspire the entire world.” He further added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, several initiatives have been implemented to promote entrepreneurship, skill development, and financial support for Divyangjans.

On this occasion, CMD of NDFDC, Shri Navin Shah, stated that this was the 23^rd fair, providing a major platform for the economic empowerment and marketing of Divyangjan products.

The 11-day fair, held from 9^th - 19^th January, 2025, provided a unique platform to encourage Divyang artisans and entrepreneurs to showcase their products and craftsmanship. Over 100 Divyang artisans and entrepreneurs from 20 States and Union Territories participated in the event.

Gujarat’s 30 Divyangjans were handed loan sanction letters worth Rs. 1 crore. Motorized tricycles were distributed to 11 Divyangjans through IRCON’s CSR fund, and assistive devices were provided to 14 Divyangjans by ALIMCO. A Job Fair for Divyangjans was also organized on January 17, where appointment letters were distributed to 18 Divyangjans during the closing ceremony.

The ‘Divya Kala Shakti’ cultural programme featured 78 talented Divyang artists from 15 States who enthralled the audience with 36 captivating performances. The event began with a group dance on the song ‘Jay Jay Garvi Gujarat’. Swati from Jammu & Kashmir performed a mesmerizing dance on the song ‘Radha Kaise Na Jale’, from the movie Lagaan. Sanyotani Samadar from Odisha left everyone spellbound with her classical dance performance. The finale saw a patriotic performance by artists from the Blind People’s Association, Ahmedabad. Artists from institutions like Arpan Charitable Trust, Samarth Group, and Parth Group also delivered outstanding performances.

Artists from Jammu & Kashmir, Tamil Nadu, and North-Eastern states exhibited their exceptional products, including handicrafts, handlooms, embroidery, and packaged food, thereby promoting the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative. The cultural performances and diverse food stalls further enhanced the event’s charm.

 

Video Link of the Closing Ceremony:

https://www.youtube.com/live/jQL-MAW1TNo?si=MxtgFfpOB_YnXuwZ

 

*****

VM

(Release ID: 2094376) Visitor Counter : 581