Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, under the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Government of Goa, organised the observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on the theme “Empowering Lives, Ensuring Rights” on 7 January 2026 at the Sanjay Centre for Special Education, Goa.
The programme was graced by the Minister for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Subhash Phal Dessai. The event witnessed the presence of several dignitaries, including Guruprasad Pawaskar, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities; Prasanna Acharya, Secretary, Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities; Varsha Naik, Director, Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities; Taha Haaziq, Secretary, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities; and Neetal Amonkar, Member Secretary, Sanjay Centre for Special Education.
As part of the celebrations, the wheelchair cricket team of Goa, winners of the Chief Minister’s Trophy held in Odisha, was felicitated by the Minister in recognition of their outstanding achievement and contribution to inclusive sports.
In line with the spirit of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is observed globally on 3rd December every year, various competitions were organised for students from regular and special schools. These included poster-making, drawing, quiz competitions, visual art competitions, and visual performance arts. The initiative aimed to encourage creativity, awareness, and inclusion among students.
Prizes were distributed to the winners of the competitions during the event, celebrating their talent and reinforcing the message of equality, inclusion, and empowerment for persons with disabilities.
