Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
union minister of State for Social Justice and national president of the Republican Party of India (Athawale faction), Ramdas Athawale, on Sunday assured that he will continuously work towards resolving the various issues faced by persons with disabilities across the state. He encouraged them to maintain self-confidence, saying those who are “divya” (special) are truly “divyang”.
He was speaking at a programme organised for persons with disabilities at Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagruha, jointly hosted by the RPI (Athawale faction) Divyang Aghadi and Matoshri Kaushalya Devi Sevabhavi Sanstha, Beed.
Present on the dais were RPI youth wing state president Pappu Kagde, Maharashtra working president Baburao Kadam, state president Dr Siddharth Bhalerao, Marathwada division head Milind Shelke, district president Vijay Magre, Divyang Aghadi state secretary Vishnu Vairagad and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district president Tukaram Shirsat, among others. In his introductory remarks, organiser and Divyang Aghadi state president Suresh Mane highlighted the issues faced by persons with disabilities. Athawale was also felicitated on being elected to the Rajya Sabha for the third time.
During the day-long programme, activities such as free Aadhaar registration and updates, registration for the NCMC card provided by the State Transport Corporation, and distribution of essential commodities were organised. Persons with disabilities from across Marathwada participated enthusiastically. A cultural programme featuring Bhim songs by Panchsheela Bhalerao was also held. The event was compered by Saddam Shaikh, while chief manager Balasaheb Pokale, Munja Khandare, Samadhan Dabhade and others were present.