Focus on Quality Education, Sign Language Skills, and Inclusive Infrastructure for Differently-Abled Individuals
Published on: July 12, 2025
By: [BTNI]
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of India, Mr. Rajesh Aggarwal conducted an in-depth inspection of the Composite Regional Centre (CRC) for Skill Development, Rehabilitation, and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities located at Thakurtola village in Rajnandgaon. During his visit, he distributed free motorized tricycles and assistive devices to several Divyang beneficiaries and planted saplings within the campus to promote environmental awareness.
Accompanied by Dr. B.V. Ramkumar, Director of NIEPID, Secunderabad, Collector Dr. Sarveshwar Narendra Bhure, and Director of Social Welfare Mrs. Roktima Yadav, Mr. Aggarwal visited various functional units of the CRC, including the Doctor’s Chamber, Visual Therapy Room, Physiotherapy Unit, Clinical Psychology Lab, Special Education Section, Audiology Room, Speech and Language Therapy Room, Auditorium, Library, and Classrooms.
At the Clinical Psychology room, Mr. Aggarwal reviewed the online patient registration process and engaged with special educators about the UDI (Unique Disability ID) benefits. He instructed officials to ensure that eligible children are enrolled under the Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme.
He also personally interacted with students, emphasizing the need for strong proficiency in Indian Sign Language. “Sign Language offers vast opportunities; every student should be fluent in it, alongside having a good command of both Hindi and English,” he remarked. Mr. Aggarwal encouraged students to communicate regularly in sign language to enhance their fluency and peer learning. He instructed the faculty to ensure the delivery of quality education with a strong focus on practical learning.
Mr. Aggarwal also met students enrolled in the Diploma in Indian Sign Language Interpretation and appreciated their skill work. Interacting with Divyang patients undergoing treatment at the center, he listened to their experiences and received positive feedback. One beneficiary, Mr. Ashish Devdas, shared that he experienced a significant improvement in mobility thanks to the CRC’s healthcare services.
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The Secretary also inspected the under-construction upper floor of the CRC building and directed the executing agency to maintain strict adherence to quality standards and structural norms. He stressed that no negligence in construction work would be tolerated.
The visit was attended by Additional Collector Mr. C.L. Markandeya, SDM Mr. Khem Lal Verma, Joint Director of Social Welfare Mr. B.L. Thakur, and CRC Director Mrs. Smita Mahobia, among other senior officials.
