Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Goa (SCPD) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Enable India, a leading NGO from Bengaluru, to collaborate on generating employment opportunities for persons with disabilities (PwDs) and offering them various courses to equip them with industry knowledge in Goa and outside the state.
The MoU was signed by Guruprasad Pawaskar, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities and Dipesh Sutariya, Chairman and Managing Director of Enable India in the presence of Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, Subhash Phal Dessai, Minister of Social Welfare, River Navigation, Archives and Archeology, Government of Goa; Ajit Panchwadkar, Director Social Welfare; Taha Haazik, Secretary of Social Welfare; Shanti Raghavan, Founder and Chief Enabler of Enable India along with other officials from both organisations; on July 11, 2023, in Panaji.
The partnership aims to create a more inclusive and accessible society for PwDs by providing them with the necessary skills, training, and placement support to secure dignified jobs in various industries.
Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister, said: “I am indeed very happy that this MoU is being signed today. In taking forward our vision of having skilled persons and creating employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, this is a step in the right direction. Everyone is gifted and talented and through this MoU our aim of creating a totally inclusive society is getting materialised. The future seems bright hereon and I commend the efforts taken by the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Goa (SCPD) Guruprasad Pawaskar and the Minister of Social Welfare, Subhash Phal Dessai and everyone who has been working with PwD in Goa to create positive change that is acknowledged and appreciated by all.”
“Through this partnership our goal is to create a more inclusive and accessible society for persons with disabilities. This initiative not only aims to promote their economic independence but also foster a more inclusive and diverse workforce,” said Subhash Phal Dessai, Minister of Social Welfare.
“We believe that persons with disabilities have immense potential and abilities that can contribute to the socio-economic development of the state and the nation. By bridging the gap between persons with disabilities and employment, we not only promote their economic independence but also foster a more inclusive and diverse workforce. We hope that this partnership will inspire and motivate more persons with disabilities to pursue their dreams and aspirations,” said Guruprasad R. Pawaskar, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities
Enable India is a non-profit organization that works towards economic independence and dignity of PwDs since 1999. Enable India is considered a pioneer in employability and employment of PwDs. It caters to the needs of all kinds of disabilities, such as visual impairment, hearing impairment, physical disability, mental illness, and more. Enable India has partnered with over 700 companies and institutions across India and has trained and placed over 20,000 PwDs in various sectors.
“Work is core to human dignity and we at Enable India are working to bring dignity to persons with disability, since 1999. With the success of purple fest, our partnership with the Government of Goa, added a flavour of love and gratitude. This MOU is to formalise the way forward to enable a dignified life and economic independence for persons with disability,” said Dipesh Sutariya, Chairman and Managing Director of Enable India.
The partnership between SCPD and Enable India will benefit PwDs in Goa by providing them with access to quality education, skill development, career guidance, mentorship, and job opportunities. The partnership will also raise awareness and challenge misconceptions about disability among the public and employers. The partnership will also leverage the existing network and resources of both organisations to create a more conducive ecosystem for PwDs in Goa.
