On the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya, symbolising new beginnings and prosperity, a significant initiative aimed at empowering Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) was launched in Goa.
The Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, under the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, in collaboration with Goa University, organized an Orientation Program on Competitive Exam Preparation.
This initiative marks a progressive step towards fostering inclusion, equality, and opportunity, with a focused approach to preparing PwD aspirants for competitive examinations such as GPSC, SSC, banking, and other government services.
The program was spearheaded by the State Commissioner, Guruprasad
Pawaskar, whose vision led to this impactful collaboration. Expressing his thoughts on the initiative, he stated that “We are proud to initiate a transformative journey for persons with disabilities in Goa. This coaching program is not merely about preparing for competitive exams—it is about building confidence, creating equal opportunities, and enabling every aspirant to realize their true potential.
Through this collaboration with Goa
University, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that no dream is limited by disability, and every individual is empowered to achieve excellence.”
The session featured distinguished academicians from the Manohar Parrikar School of Law, Governance and Public Policy (MPSLGPP), Goa University. Senior Professor Rajendra Gad, Dean of MPSLGPP, highlighted the importance of such an inclusive platform, noting that it would not only impart knowledge but also empower students to take ownership of
their learning journeys.
He further shared that 70% of the course fees are being sponsored by Goa University, significantly enhancing accessibility to quality education. He also encouraged aspirants to explore opportunities in both government and private sectors, emphasizing the growing role of AI in enabling accessible learning.
Dr. Alaknanda Shringare, Vice Dean (Research), provided valuable insights into exam structures and preparation strategies, while actively engaging with participants to address their queries and challenges. Dr. Steffi Quintal, Programme Director and Assistant Professor of Public Administration, shared practical approaches to mastering subjects like
reasoning and mathematics, stressing the importance of consistency and daily practice.
Reinforcing the commitment to accessibility,Taha Haaziq, Secretary of the State Commissioner’s Office, assured that accessible study materials would be developed to ensure inclusivity for all participants. The program was also graced by the presence of noted journalist Prakash Kamat of The Hindu and Board Member of DEPwD.
The initiative witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 25 aspirants with disabilities, reflecting a strong spirit of determination and aspiration. As a mark of appreciation, Guruprasad Pawaskar, Director Varsha Naik and Secretary Taha Haaziq felicitated the faculty members with traditional Kunbi shawls.
In its first phase, the coaching programme will be extended to persons with benchmark disabilities, including blindness and low vision; leprosy-cured persons; hearing impairment (deaf and hard of hearing); locomotor disabilities; dwarfism; cerebral palsy; muscular dystrophy; chronic neurological conditions; blood disorders such as thalassemia, hemophilia, sickle cell disease as well as acid attack survivors and persons with Parkinson’s disease.
The program was effectively hosted by Mahadev Sawant, with the vote of thanks delivered by Mahanand Satarkar. This initiative goes beyond coaching—it represents a movement towards empowerment, rooted in the belief that disability is not a limitation,
but a different ability.
Interested candidates who wish to be part of this initiative and benefit from the competitive exam coaching program may contact on 91563 21900 for further details and registration.
