Shillong, March 26: Shri Paul Lyngdoh, Hon’ble Minister of Social Welfare, Government of Meghalaya, officially launched the Sugamya Yatra, today at the U SosoTham Auditorium, Shillong.
The initiative, aimed at promoting accessibility and inclusivity for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), is being organized by the Office of the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities in collaboration with the State Resource Center on Disability Affairs (SRCDA), Shillong, and the Composite Regional Center, Shillong.
The SugamyaYatra is part of the broader Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign), an initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India.
Speaking at the launch event, Shri Paul Lyngdoh announced a fruitful discussion held last week in the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma and Hon’ble Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, Shri Virendra Kumar.
During the discussion, the Union Minister assured the Government of Meghalaya that the Center for Disability Sport at Mawkhanu, New Shillong, will be funded by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Stating that the project will fructify soon, Shri Paul Lyngdoh expressed hope that the state will soon witness Persons with Disabilities performing at the National Games 2027, hosted by Meghalaya.
Delivering the keynote address, Smti Bridget Warshong, Deputy Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, informed that the SugamyaYatra, also known as the Accessible Journey, aims to promote accessibility and inclusivity for Persons with Disabilities, raise awareness, and address challenges in public spaces and infrastructure concerning accessibility. As part of the initiative, teams will visit various buildings and identify accessibility gaps.
The Yatra will be conducted by the Office of the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Social Welfare Department, in collaboration with the State Resource Center on Disability Affairs and Composite Regional Center, Shillong.
Along with accessibility experts, engineers, and architects from PWD (Buildings), PWD (Roads), Health Engineering Wing, Sports Council, Water Resources and Industries Department, MeECL, and other concerned departments.
The access audit will be conducted by Bethany Society, with the involvement of NGOs, Persons with Disabilities, and sign language interpreters.
The SugamyaYatra initiative utilizes the “YesToAccess” app, which was also launched at the event. The app allows teams to upload accessibility-related information.
Speaking on the entrepreneurship initiative for Persons with Disabilities, which was an outcome of Empower Fest, a pioneering event supported by the Office of the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Government of Meghalaya, and the Social Welfare Department, organized under the State Resource Center on Disability Affairs in collaboration with PRIME Meghalaya, Smti Bridget Warshonghighlighted that eight outstanding entrepreneurs were selected for financial support from PRIME Meghalaya, receiving a total funding of ₹22 lakhs.
The eight entrepreneurs with disabilities felicitated at the event were LarikyrpangNongrum (Lari Cyber and Stationery), Ferdinand Lyngdoh (EKANBHA), DonrishaMawrie (Cultivating high-quality sustainable flowers), DispiKharbuli (blacksmith), BatskhemKharkamni (Furniture), Bansuklang N. Sohlang (Steel fabrication), BandarishaRynjah (Custom embroidered products) and George Eric Campbell Marbaniang (Electrician and wiring).
The event witnessed the presence of several distinguished dignitaries, including Shri L. Kynjing, MCS, Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Government of Meghalaya & CEO, SRCDA; SmtiCamelia Doreen Lyngwa, MCS, Joint Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya; and Dr. N.P. Laloo, MS Ortho, Project Director & State Coordinator, SRCDA.
