Empowerment of Divyangs: SAKSHAM Foundation Day Celebrated in Rayagada
Dr.Badal Tah,Odishabarta
Rayagada, 25 June: The organization Samadrusti Khyamata Vikas and Anusandhan Mandal(SAKSHAM) as an organization for empowerment of Divyangs, was started in 2008. SAKSHAM, a part of Rastriya Swayam Sevak Sangha(RSS), is working in diverse field to empower persons with differently abled. It is engaged to serve all 21 types of Divyangs in all districts and states of India. Last Sunday SAKSHAM Odisha Paschim Pranta celebrated SAKSHAM’s Foundation Day in Rayagada. The program was held at Vidya Nagar, Rayagada successfully under the leadership of Rayagada District President Prof Anita Nanda, who herself is orthopedically disabled. While Pranta Secretary Shyam Kumar Dash moderated the entire program, M Vidya Sagar, T Nagaraju, Ajay Chulet, Ramakrishna Panigrahi and Vijay Ulka were prominently present and contributed to the success of the program.
Rayagada Bhinnakhyam Mahasangha President Rakesh Himirika and Vice President Santosh Mohapatra were present and appreciated the program of SAKSHAM and participated in the program as Divyang Mitra. Similarly, Rayagada District branch Secretary of Odisha Vikalang Manch(OVM) Jalandhar Bacheli spoke about their efforts in advocating for a lift in the new office at Collectorate which is under construction. OVM also lobbied for reservation in land & housing schemes and jobs.
District President Professor Anita Nanda gave a welcome speech after the lamp was lit by the PwDs. Rakesh Himirika, who himself a 100 percent blind Divyang, sang a welcome song through his art, songs and playing the casio and thanked Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi for increasing the allowance for more than 80% disabilities to Rs. 3500 and providing houses through the Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme. Shyam Kumar Das spoke about evolution of SAKSHAM and told that it is the apex organization of the Divyangs in the district. It will further strengthen its organizational structure and work for the Divyangs. Dr.B K Tah, State Sangrakhyak, discussed the upcoming plans of the organization and how the Divyangs will be empowered and how they will exert positive pressure on the government for their rights given under the 2016 Act. Finally, Shyam Dash concluded the program with a vote of thanks.H
