Breaking barriers: 13 visually impaired become certified broom-makers in WJH

JOWAI, June 25: In a journey that can be deemed awe-inspiring, as many as 13 visually impaired people from West Jaintia Hills have defied all odds to become certified broom-makers, following the completion of a training programme.
The broom-makers were felicitated during a programme here on Tuesday.
West Jaintia Hills Additional Deputy Commissioner DV Lyngdoh, who was part of the programme, congratulated the visually impaired individuals for successfully completing their training in broom-making.
An ecstatic Lyngdoh, while expressing her admiration, said that despite their disability, they were successful in not only completing their training but also producing finished brooms.
She noted that West Jaintia Hills is the first district in Meghalaya to conduct a special training programme for specially-abled people under the Meghalaya State Skills Development Society.
Congratulating the Office of the District Skill Development Officer, led by Lambormi Suchen, and the team of the Society for Urban and Rural Empowerment (SURE) for achieving this significant milestone, Lyngdoh maintained that this accomplishment testifies the government’s commitment to uplifting one and all.
On the occasion, the broom-makers were presented with certificates and startup kits.
It may be mentioned that the SURE, in the past six months, has conducted two training sessions for visually impaired members of the society in West Jaintia Hills. These sessions were sponsored by the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS) and the Office of the District Social Welfare Department, Jowai.
The training programme, supported by the MSSDS, was held at Moosakhia, under Amlarem Block, and the training programme, sponsored by the DSWO, was held at Lumbhah Dakha Wahiajer, under Thadlaskein Block.