By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 25: Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh said persons with disabilities (PwDs) in the state will compete in the National Games 2027 as efforts are being made to improve accessibility across Meghalaya.
Speaking at the launch of Sugamya Yatra at U Soso Tham Auditorium on Tuesday, he also confirmed that the Disability Sport Centre at Mawkhanu, New Shillong, will be funded by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
“We had a fruitful discussion with Union Minister Virendra Kumar and Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma last week, and the Centre has assured full support for the Disability Sport Centre. This initiative will open new opportunities for PwDs in sports and beyond,” Lyngdoh said.
Sugamya Yatra, part of the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign), aims to make public spaces more accessible for PwDs by identifying infrastructure gaps. It is being organised by the office of the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, along with the State Resource Centre on Disability Affairs (SRCDA) and the Composite Regional Centre, Shillong.
Deputy Commissioner for PwDs, Bridget Warshong, explained that teams will conduct accessibility audits in public buildings across Meghalaya. The audit will be carried out by Bethany Society, with input from accessibility experts, engineers, architects and NGOs. The ‘YesToAccess’ app, launched during the event, will allow real-time reporting of accessibility issues.
The event also recognised eight entrepreneurs with disabilities who received a total of Rs 22 lakh in funding from PRIME Meghalaya under an entrepreneurship initiative. These entrepreneurs were felicitated for their contributions to fields such as cyber services, steel fabrication, furniture making, and floriculture.
The launch event was attended by key officials, including L. Kynjing, Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, and N.P. Laloo, the State Coordinator of SRCDA.