State disability activist receives Ashoka Samman : The Tribune India

Join Whatsapp Channel

State disability activist receives Ashoka Samman

Jalandhar: Jalandhar-based disability activist Amarjit Singh Anand has received the Ashoka Award during the 15th Bihar Samman Samaroh.



Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, September 6

Jalandhar-based disability activist Amarjit Singh Anand has received the Ashoka Award during the 15th Bihar Samman Samaroh.

Anand was chosen to be honoured for his activities done to support and promote the activites for the uplift of people from the disability sector of the district as well as the state. He was chosen as one of the awardees for the “samman samaroh”, which took place at the Skada Centre, Son Bhawan, Patna, on August 28.

Bihar Handicapped Sports Academy, Paralympic Committee of Bihar, Special Olympic Bihar, Bihar Netraheen Khel Sangh, Bihar Deaf Sports Association, Bihar Handicapped Students Association, Indian Sports Federation of Autism, shall be at the helm of affairs for the event held in Patna.

A state disability activist, Anand represents the Punjab Down Syndrome Association and is Board Member of Asia Pacific Down Syndrome Association, Singapore.

He has also been pivotal in forming Down Syndrome Association (Parents Groups) and works for special needs advocacy, education, employment, adult self advocacy groups and social inclusion.

Talking to The Tribune, Anand said, “While one of my friends received the award for me, it is indeed a great honour. While it is a great opportunity, it also humbles me since the cause of the handicapped and disabled still lies largely riddled with red tape, lack of awareness and under-represented in Punjab and the country. A lot of efforts need to be made to bring these children and their issues to the mainstream and we are looking to step up the efforts regarding that.” Anand also recently participated in the 12th World Down Syndrome Congress which was hosted by Indian counter part of International Down Syndrome Association by Down syndrome Federation India at Chennai.

Speaking about the event he said, “The resolutions at the event included rights of PWIDD educational equality, employment opportunities, establishing special support and knowledge centers across the country, better healthcare facilities, introduction of a comprehensive health policy, opening and maintaining of bank accounts and introduction of a medical passport.”

The resolutions of the Congress were handed over to the Indian Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thawaar Chand Gehlot at the closing ceremony.

Notably, Anand was among more than 525 delegates including 100 persons with Down Syndrome from more than 40 countries including Australia, the US, Germany, France, South Africa, Japan, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark, who participated in the Congress.

Top News

Cash-strapped Congress gets fresh IT notice of Rs 1,700 crore, say party insiders

Cash-strapped Congress gets fresh I-T notice of Rs 1,700 crore, say party insiders

The Congress is already facing a funds crunch after Income T...

Arvind Kejriwal's wife releases WhatsApp number for people to send messages for jailed AAP leader

Arvind Kejriwal's wife launches WhatsApp campaign to garner support for AAP leader

In a digital media briefing, Sunita says her husband has cha...

High alert across Uttar Pradesh after gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari's death

High alert across Uttar Pradesh after gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari's death

Umar Ansari alleged that his father was subjected to slow po...

Mukhtar Ansari was subjected to slow poisoning in jail: Son

Mukhtar Ansari was subjected to slow poisoning in jail: Son

Ansari's post-mortem to be conducted in UP by panel of five ...


Cities

View All