Disabled Sunita Gupta and Prashant Aggarwal of Rajasthan received National Award.

• 05 Dec 2023

Why in News?

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2023, President Draupadi Murmu honoured disabled Sunita Gupta and Prashant Aggarwal of Rajasthan with the National Award-2023 at a grand ceremony in New Delhi.

Key Points:

• It may be noted that on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, President Draupadi Murmu presented the National Award-2023 to 21 individuals and 9 institutions from across the country for their exemplary contribution in various fields for the empowerment of persons with disabilities in New Delhi.
• Sunita Gupta, a 70% physically disabled person from Dausa, has been awarded the National Award for Individual Excellence-2023 in the category of 'Best Disabled Person' for her excellent work in the field of art and culture.
  • Disabled Sunita Gupta, despite being from a rural area, started the business of artificial jewellery by taking a loan of Rs 50 thousand from the government.
  • He is also associated with the Rain Water Harvesting Mission and Sweep Team Voter Awareness. He has also worked in the film Vicky Donor.
• For the commendable work being done by 51-year-old Prashant Aggarwal, President of Narayan Seva Sansthan, Udaipur, he has been honoured with the National Award-2023 for Personal Excellence in the category of 'Best Individual - Working for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities'.
  • Prashant Aggarwal has been playing an important role in the upliftment of persons with disabilities and bringing them into the mainstream of society through initiatives like residential schools, vocational rehabilitation centres, free distribution of assistive aids and appliances, free marriage ceremonies through the organisation .
  • In the year 2017, he has also been awarded the Best Social Worker in the Field of Disability by the Government of Rajasthan.
• It is worth mentioning that in 1969, the Central Government had approved a scheme for conferring National Awards to outstanding persons with disabilities as employers and employees. These awards have been instituted with the objective of focusing public attention on issues related to persons with disabilities and promoting their inclusion in the mainstream of society.
• National Awards are given every year on 'International Day of Persons with Disabilities' on 3 December to outstanding individuals/organisations working for the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
• National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for the year 2023 have been given under the following categories-

I. National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities-2023-Individual Excellence

• Best disabled person
• Super disabled person
  • Locomotor Challenge - (Locomotor, Muscular Challenges, Dwarfism, Acid Attack Victim, Leprosy Recovered, Cerebral Palsy)
  • Visual impairment – (Blindness, Low vision)
  • Hearing loss (Deaf, Hard of hearing, Speech and Language challenges)
  • Intellectual disability (Mental retardation, Psychotic behaviour, Specific learning challenges, Autism spectrum disorder)
  • Any specified disability other than those mentioned above.
• Best Disabled Child/Girl
• Best person - working for the empowerment of persons with disabilities
• Best Rehabilitation Professional (Rehabilitation Professional/Worker) – Working in the Field of Disability

II. National Award for institutions engaged in empowering persons with disabilities-2023

• Best Institute for Empowerment of Disabled (Private Organization, NGO)
• Best Employer for Disabled - (Government Organization/PSE/Autonomous Body/Private Sector)
• Best State/UT/District in implementation of Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan/creation of barrier free environment
• Best accessible means of transport/information and communication technology (government/private organisations)
• Best State/UT/District in implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act/UDID and other schemes for empowerment of persons with disabilities.
• Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities of the State best in implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 in his/her State.
• Best organisations engaged in development of rehabilitation professionals.