Union Minister Virender Kumar has underscored the critical need for the swift and timely completion of a Rs 24-crore rehabilitation facility in Jammu, aimed at significantly bolstering services for persons with disabilities. The minister reviewed the ongoing construction of the permanent premises for the Composite Regional Centre (CRC) for persons with disabilities in Jammu, emphasizing its role in strengthening rehabilitation, skill development, and empowerment initiatives. The facility, situated in Chak Jawala village within Vijaypur, Samba district, is poised to broaden access to essential services including rehabilitation, specialized education, early intervention, and comprehensive support for individuals with disabilities. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that this new center will substantially enhance the institutional capacity of CRC Jammu, which has been operating on a limited scale within Jammu city.
The planned infrastructure at the CRC Jammu facility is designed to be multifaceted, offering specialized training programs for children with disabilities to foster self-reliance. The center will also facilitate training for parents and caregivers, equipping them with the necessary skills to provide enhanced support to their children. A key component of the facility will be the establishment of a Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra, dedicated to improving access to assistive devices. Furthermore, the center is slated to offer disability-related academic courses, including Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) and Master of Education (M.Ed) programs, thereby contributing to the development of skilled professionals in the field. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment highlighted that the facility will also house advanced laboratories equipped for the precise measurement, custom manufacture, and fitting of artificial limbs and other assistive devices, which will greatly aid beneficiaries in performing daily activities with increased ease and independence.
During his visit, the Director of CRC Jammu, Rohnika Sharma, provided the Union Minister with a detailed briefing on the construction progress, outlining the work completed thus far and the remaining activities necessary to ensure the facility’s timely operationalization. Minister Kumar stressed the importance of robust infrastructure and adherence to project timelines to guarantee the effective delivery of services to persons with disabilities. He articulated that the empowerment of individuals with disabilities is a fundamental aspect of the government’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’ and aligns with the national objective of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, or self-reliant India. The establishment of this comprehensive rehabilitation center is expected to address a long-standing need in the Jammu region, bringing vital disability-related services closer to beneficiaries across all age groups, from children to senior citizens. CRC Jammu operates under the purview of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, which is affiliated with the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disabilities based in New Delhi. The project’s advancement signifies a significant step towards inclusive development and enhanced support systems for persons with disabilities in the region.
The comprehensive nature of the facility is expected to create a hub for various therapeutic and educational interventions. This includes not only physical rehabilitation through physiotherapy but also specialized training tailored to the unique needs of children with different types of disabilities. The focus on parental and caregiver training is particularly noteworthy, as it recognizes the crucial role of the immediate support system in the overall development and well-being of individuals with disabilities. By empowering families, the center aims to create a more supportive ecosystem that extends beyond the institutional setting. The inclusion of a Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra further underscores the commitment to providing accessible and advanced assistive technology, which is often a critical factor in enabling greater independence and participation in daily life.
The planned academic courses, such as B.Ed and M.Ed programs with a specialization in disability studies, are intended to cultivate a new generation of educators and professionals equipped with the knowledge and skills to cater to the diverse needs of persons with disabilities. This initiative is crucial for building a sustainable and skilled workforce in the disability sector. The state-of-the-art laboratories for prosthetics and orthotics will be a significant asset, allowing for the creation of customized solutions that can dramatically improve the mobility and functionality of individuals requiring artificial limbs or other supportive devices. This level of specialized manufacturing and fitting capability is often scarce, and its establishment in Jammu will be a major advancement.
The minister’s emphasis on timely completion highlights the urgency with which the government views the provision of these services. Delays in infrastructure projects can often hinder the intended benefits, and the focus on operationalization ensures that the investment translates into tangible support for the target population. The integration of this center into the broader national framework of disability empowerment, as overseen by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute, ensures that it will adhere to national standards and best practices. The project’s alignment with national flagship programs like Aatmanirbhar Bharat demonstrates a commitment to inclusive growth where all segments of society are enabled to contribute and thrive. The development signifies a proactive approach to addressing the needs of persons with disabilities, moving beyond basic provisions to comprehensive empowerment and integration into society.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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