Bhubaneswar: A state-level quiz competition aimed at creating awareness about the rights, needs and inclusion of persons with disabilities was organised at Doordarshan Kendra, Bhubaneswar, on Sunday, bringing together college students who had emerged successful in five zonal-level competitions.
The competition was organised under the chairmanship of State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Bratati Harichandan. Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Mayor Sulochana Das attended the programme as the chief guest and felicitated the successful participants with trophies and cash prizes.
Addressing the participants, Das urged students who could not succeed in the competition to continue their efforts and remain persistent in pursuing their goals. She said success could come in different fields at different stages of life, including public service and administration.
Das also emphasised that the knowledge gained through the competition about persons with disabilities should not remain limited to the event. She urged the students to treat the programme as an opportunity to understand disability-related issues and become ambassadors of awareness in society.
She said greater awareness about the rights of persons with disabilities would help them claim their entitlements and lead lives with dignity and equality in society.
Welcoming the participants, Harichandan said the primary objective of organising the quiz was to create awareness about persons with disabilities and promote their inclusion in the mainstream of society.
She said awareness and understanding among young people could play an important role in building a more inclusive society where persons with disabilities are able to live with dignity and exercise their rights.
Researcher Rajkishor Sharma thanked the Regional Directors of the various zones, college principals, faculty members and students for their cooperation in organising the event.
Sharma also informed the gathering that Harichandan had been honoured by the President of India for her work in the field of disability rights and welfare.
He encouraged the participants before conducting the quiz and briefed them about the rules and regulations of the competition.
Students from Rajdhani College, Baramunda, Bhubaneswar; Kuntala Kumari Sabat Women’s College, Balasore; Binayak Acharya Degree College, Berhampur; Sindhedevi Degree Mahavidyalaya, Nandapur, Koraput; and Hirakud College, Hirakud, took part in the state-level competition.
Abhishek Singh and Ritesh Dang of Hirakud College emerged successful in the competition. Both were awarded trophies and cash prizes of Rs 5,000 each.
The programme concluded with Harichandan proposing a vote of thanks to all those who contributed to the successful conduct of the event.
