SHILLONG, May 17: The composite regional centre (CRC) for skill development, rehabilitation and empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in Shillong, the services of which were virtually inaugurated on Tuesday, will provide services aplenty for PwDs, ranging from rehabilitation to skill development trainings.
This was informed by Union Minister of State (MoS) for Social Justice and Empowerment, Pratima Bhoumik, who virtually launched the services of the CRC during a programme at U Soso Tham Auditorium here.
The launch event was also attended by Social Welfare Minister Kyrmen Shylla, MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh, as well as state and central officials.
In her address, Bhoumik informed about the welfare schemes being implemented by the Centre for PwDs across the country.
Expressing hope that the CRC in Shillong will provide services for PwDs, she expressed her gratitude to the state government for providing land at Umsawli for the set-up of the permanent structure of the CRC.
She announced that the CRC will not only offer rehabilitation services but also conduct skill development trainings, thereby enabling the PwDs to live an independent life in the society.
Shylla, on the other hand, informed about the initiatives of the state government, including financial assistance, for the welfare of the PwDs.
He also assured government’s support to the CRC in Shillong.
Principal Secretary of Social Welfare department, Sampath Kumar, in his address, argued that the CRC in Shillong will be a very important institution for Meghalaya.
“Once you have these institutions, there is growth, there is a support system for the people. All these national centres and regional centres play a very important role. We have been very fortunate that Shillong is becoming a regional centre for many such initiatives and they go a long way, especially for the development of the state and also for the entire Northeastern region,” Kumar said.
Lyngdoh, on the other hand, acknowledged the initiative of the government to set up the CRC.
Maintaining that there is a lot yet to be achieved for the well-being of PwDs, she said, “Every constituency in the state of Meghalaya must ensure that they are part of this good venture to empower the different people in our communities who have these disabilities.”
