International web-dialogue on disability discourse organized at GNDU
Gurpreet Kaur/ royalpatiala.in
A one-day international web-dialogue on ‘Disabled Discourse: Disha Aur Dasha’ was organized by Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar under the joint aegis of EOC-PWD and Vishwabhasha Academy of India. The Nodal Officer of the University for the disabled, general secretary, World Language Academy, and coordinator of the program Dr. Sunil Kumar, while highlighting the usefulness of the program, said that even when we have reached the 21st century, there has been no significant change in the condition of the disabled.
There is a need to make a positive social change for the disabled, only then a strong role can be played by them in contributing to the mainstream of development and connecting to the society. He said that “Continuous and wide-scale works are being done by the Vice chancellor Guru Nanak Dev University Prof. Dr. Jaspal Singh Sandhu to provide protection and facilities to the disabled.
Dr Vinay Kumar Pathak, Director of National Disability Discourse Research and former Chairman of Chhattisgarh Rajbhasha Commission, while giving information about various aspects of his famous book ‘Disabled Discourse: Disha Aur Dasha’ said that “It is necessary to provide equal opportunity to the disabled and to make everyone aware of rights of the disabled so that the they can get the benefit of socio-economic development in the same way as ordinary citizens.
Dr Mohankant Gautam, Former Vice Chancellor of the European University of East and West, Netherlands, in his Chief Guest’s remark, opened the layers of discourse on the basis of practical experiences. He said that “despite the disables may have different problems depending upon the country but their basic problems are the same. In all countries, people with disabilities are discriminated and are seen as a different part of a society. He termed Vinay Kumar Pathak’s book as Encyclopedia and called it a revolutionary step in the field of disability.
Professor Sudhanshu Shukla of University of Versa, Poland, in his distinguished lecture said that the book by Pathak ji is a complete book which has been much awaited from the point of view of research and review. There is need of a radical change in the attitude of people towards the disabled, “Disability is not a curse” He added.
The Vice Chancellor of Baba Mastnath University, Asthal Bohar (Rohtak), Dr. Ramasjan Pandey,in his special guest’s lecture said that Dr. Pathak has embarked on the a new beginning by propelling this important book. It will not only saturate research scholars but also literature and socially-interested cultural readers. If anyone with disability get equal opportunities and effective rehabilitation, they can have a better quality of life.
Dr. Suresh Maheshwari, who joined Amalner (Maharashtra) as a special speaker, highlighted the expression of disabled discourse in Hindi literature and said that I have been a witness to the continuous commitment and activism of Seva-Sadhna of Dr. Vinay Kumar Pathak in the two decades to the present day on disability advocacy. Dr. Pathak has promoted disability discourse by connecting at the ground level.
Dr. Chandrashekhar Singh, who was present as a special speaker from Mungeri (Chhattisgarh), highlighted Dr. Pathak’s achievement in his poetic presentation on Disability Discourse and said that in this book, he revolved around Disability and the holistic genres of Hindi literature.
Kamalkant Vats, working in the Indian Air Force, Dr. Kiran Khanna from DAV College, Amritsar and Dr. Poonam Mahajan from Shanti Devi Arya Women’s College, Dinanagar, read out their papers on disability.
The President of the World Language Academy, India, Mr. Mukesh Sharma, in his lecture , emphasized the benefits of public facilities to the handicapped. He hoped that this book by Dr. Pathak will ignite flame of consciousness for the disabled.
International web-dialogue on disability discourse organized at GNDU. In his concluding speech, Dr. Aadarshpal Vig, Director of FDC-HRDC Center, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, said that the protection and implementation of the rights of PwDs will bring out the problems faced by the disabled. He added, “Attention has been drawn to them and people with disabilities are also becoming aware of their rights too, but there is still much to be done in this direction. He acknowledged the efforts of Dr. Sunil Kumar, the nodal officer and coordinator of the program, EOC-PWD.
Concluding the session Dr Sunil Kumar have a vote of thanks to the guests, university-administration, technical team and the participants. Dr. Jyoti Gogia, co-convenor of the program and President of the World Language Academy, Punjab, conducted the stage. More than 500 participants from all over the world also participated in this international web interaction.
February 9,2021
