Chief Minister of Tripura Dr Manik Saha inaugurated the first ever ‘Khelo Tripura Para Games’ at Swami Vivekananda Ground in Agartala on Friday. The event was jointly organized by the State Government’s Department of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Department of Social Welfare and Social Education.
Along with the sports competitions for Divyanga people in the ‘Khelo Tripura Para Games’, exhibition stalls of various departments, implementation programs of various projects of the Department of Social Welfare and Social Education have added a new dimension.
As part of the Khelo Tripura Para Games, nine events will be held with physically challenged boys, girls, men and women on Saturday. A total of 364 people with disabilities from various parts of the state are participating in it. After the competition, certificates will be given to the winners along with various items and prizes by the Sports Department.
Besides, from the exhibition stalls set up by different departments at the Para games ground premises, several administrative services will be available for the Divanyanga individuals.
In his inaugural speech, Dr Saha said, there is no difference now between ordinary people and persons with disabilities. In nurturing talents and establishing themselves in society, persons with disabilities are not less in any way than others. If they get the right opportunities, they can also show their position in society. The central and state governments are playing a leading role in the development and establishment of persons with disabilities.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister said that the right status has been given to Divyangas only after the new government was formed at the center under the leadership of the Prime Minister. The word Divyanga was also given by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Dr Saha also said about 36,000 people have been registered in the list of persons with disabilities in the state, so far. More than 15,000 persons with disabilities are being given a monthly pension of Rs 2,000. There are plans to give this pension to more Divyanga persons.
During the inauguration of the event, Dr Manik Saha handed over cheques to five meritorious students of Madhyamik and five meritorious students of Higher Secondary. He also handed over UIDAI cards, marriage grants, Nirmaya health insurance cards, security pensions and Divyanga mobility aids and items to selected beneficiaries.
Minister for Social Welfare and Social Education Tinku Roy and Mayor of Agartala Municipal Corporation Dipak Majumdar also spoke on the occasion.
Besides, Secretary of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Pradip Kumar Chakraborty, Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Social Education Tapas Roy, Director of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports S. B. Nath and Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Social Education Smita Mal M. S. were present.