Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, urged industry leaders to play a key role in empowering divyangjans (persons with disabilities) by creating skill development programs and offering employment opportunities tailored to their needs. Speaking at the BML Munjal Awards 2024 in New Delhi, Shri Goyal emphasized the importance of inclusive growth and skill training, especially for individuals with physical impairments. He highlighted the need for the industry to devise ways to make skill training available in accessible formats, such as Braille, and for those with other disabilities.
Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to skill the nation and empower physically impaired citizens, Shri Goyal urged the leaders at the event to help divyangjans achieve independence by developing specialized skills. He shared an example from SEEPZ, where 1,500 visually impaired children are being trained by the gem and jewellery sector for employment in the same industry. The Minister encouraged participants to adopt a mission to identify the strengths of divyangjans, making them employable in various sectors such as grievance centres, customer support, and sports.
Shri Goyal also suggested the promotion of divyangjan sports festivals to provide more opportunities for participation and inclusion. This, he noted, would encourage people with disabilities to take part in sporting activities and gain confidence.
In his address, the Minister also spoke about the book “The Making of Hero,” which chronicles the journey of the Hero Group. He praised the company for making the book available in Braille, inspiring divyangjans to dream big and pursue their aspirations. Shri Goyal expressed hope that the book would also inspire more entrepreneurs to become job creators, thereby contributing to India’s journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat (developed India).
He concluded by urging the organisers to involve startups and young enterprises in the awards ceremony, emphasizing the collective effort required from all sectors of society to propel India to greater heights.
