Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, inaugurated the Ability Mela 2025 at the Panchayat Resource Centre, Leh, marking the observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 4.

Organised by the District Social Welfare Office (DSWO) in collaboration with PAGIR, Munsel, and Rewa Society, the event aimed to enhance employability, promote dignified livelihoods, and reinforce Ladakh’s commitment to creating an inclusive and accessible society.

Addressing participants, officials, community representatives, and civil society members, the Lt Governor emphasized that the International Day of Persons with Disabilities should serve not only as an annual observance but as a reminder of the collective responsibility to uphold equality, dignity, and respect for all.

He said the day reflects the belief that ability is defined not by physical conditions but by determination, hard work, discipline, and aspiration. Commending Ladakh’s divyangjans for their resilience, he praised their ability to thrive despite harsh climatic and geographical challenges.

The Lt Governor highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s transformative vision for divyang empowerment, noting that the Government of India views divyangjans as active contributors to nation-building. He reaffirmed the UT Administration’s commitment to ensuring accessible infrastructure, education, skill development, healthcare, rehabilitation, and inclusive participation in governance and economic activities.

He expressed admiration for divyang achievers across fields—sports, arts, academics, culture, and entrepreneurship—and urged society to move beyond symbolic inclusion toward sustained, practical measures ensuring equal opportunities and barrier-free environments. He outlined ongoing initiatives, including scholarships, skill and livelihood programmes, assistive devices, and strict enforcement of equal-opportunity norms in government departments.

Encouraging Ladakh’s youth to treat challenges as opportunities, the Lt Governor shared inspirational examples of divyang achievers and urged families, institutions, and communities to build an ecosystem where divyangjans can grow with dignity and independence.

As part of the event, the Lt Governor distributed tri-scooters, hearing aids, and Braille devices to beneficiaries under the Kuns-nyoms scheme—LAHDC Leh’s subsidised programme to provide assistive aids to persons with disabilities. He also felicitated Sonam Sopari, Dorjay Stakmo, and Sonam Angchuk, noted personalities featured in the Tses-Ngon video. Later, he visited stalls exhibiting products, scholarship schemes, pension schemes, and other welfare initiatives by DSWO and collaborating CSOs.

Administrative Secretary Shashanka Ala presented the Status Report of PwDs in Ladakh, noting that the UT has approximately 4,223 persons with disabilities, with the majority in the 45+ age group and a significant number of children (6–17 years) requiring inclusive education. She announced upcoming employment opportunities for PwDs in the hospitality sector through ALHGHA and the Merchant Association, following appropriate skill development.

Administrative Secretary Bhanu Prabha highlighted plans to offer plumbing and other skill-based training for PwDs through ITI, and stressed the importance of early identification of special needs among children. She also informed the audience about the construction of a special school at Trespone at a cost of ₹7 crore and urged parents to come forward to avail specialised services for their children.

Tsewang Dorjey of PAGIR thanked the UT Administration, departments, and civil society groups for organising the Ability Mela, and requested continued improvement of inclusive facilities across Ladakh.

Director, Social & Tribal Welfare, Kunzes Angmo; Director, School Education, Tashi Dolma; ADDC Leh, Sonam Nurboo; officials from various CSOs, religious institutions, government departments, and students from special schools attended the event.