Webinar on “Socio-legal Aspects Related to Differently Abled Persons”

Bathinda, October 16, 2021: To commemorate White Cane Safety Day, the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda (CUPB) under the patronage of Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari organized a special lecture on “Socio-legal Aspects Related to Differently Abled Persons” on Friday. The keynote speaker of this event was Adv. Phool Chand Yadav, Former State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Haryana.
At the outset of the programme, Dr. Pardeep Kumar welcomed the participants and Prof. Ramakrishna Wusirika, DIA, Central University of Punjab introduced the keynote speaker and highlighted the history and importance of White Cane Safety Day.
While addressing the participants Adv. Phool Chand Yadav stated that White Cane Safety Day is observed to celebrate the achievements of differently abled persons (blind/ visually impaired) and threw light on the contribution of differently abled persons in performing arts, literature, science and other fields. He mentioned that the Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution, Shri Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar with his concept of social justice has empowered differently abled persons with several constitutional rights such as Equal Opportunities, Full Participation etc. which were strictly enforced & strengthened through the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 and UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2006. He underlined that after the introduction of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (which covers 21 types of disabilities and guarantees a 4% reservation quota in Government Jobs), the socio-economic status of differently abled persons was further improved.
Adv. Phool Chand Yadav asserted that despite these attempts, millions of differently abled persons are debarred from full participation in families and society. To ensure social equality and inclusive development, differently abled persons should be encouraged to get their rights and provided with enough opportunities to work as per their capabilities in the government and private sector.
Prof. Monisha Dhiman, Director IQAC, briefed about the facilities being provided at the University level to differently abled students and stated that CUPB has taken all steps to ensure inclusive education. In the end, Prof. Tarun Arora gave formal vote of thanks. Faculty, non-teaching staff, research scholars and students of the University attended this programme.