Raipur, 19 August 2024
Amrittoday / A national-level Divya Kala Mela has been organized for empowerment of divyangjan by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, at the BTI Ground, Shankarnagar, Raipur. The fair is receiving a good response from the public. Due to being a Sunday, there was a good crowd in the fair yesterday. After the successful organization of 16 fairs in the country, this 17th fair has been organized in Raipur. Plans have been made to organize such fairs in other major cities of the country in the coming time. In all these national fairs, some stalls are also reserved for local persons with disabilities. In the Raipur fair, about 20 participants are from Chhattisgarh.
This fair is an attempt to develop persons with disabilities as entrepreneurs and artisans and provide them with opportunities for development. In such fairs and exhibitions, stalls are allocated free of cost to persons with disabilities so that they can showcase their talent on a big platform. In this fair, more than 100 disabled artisans/entrepreneurs and artists from about 18 states/union territories are showcasing their products, skills, and talent.
In this fair, you can taste delicious food from across the country, and cultural programs are being presented by national-level disabled artists every evening from 6 to 9 pm. Presentations were also made by disabled persons from various states and local artists of Raipur city on the stage of the fair, which were highly appreciated by the people.
In the fair, registration is being done by the officials of Chhattisgarh Disabled Finance and Development Corporation for loan to persons with disabilities, and Alimko is registering for distribution of assistive devices. CRS, Raipur has also set up a stall.
The National Disability Finance and Development Corporation of the Government of India has been made the nodal agency for this fair. Through this fair, the creative talent of persons with disabilities is being showcased, and their economic empowerment is being worked out. The Divya Kalaa Mela is marketing the products of persons with disabilities.
The Divya Kalaa Mela brand is organizing national-level fairs across the country. These fairs are bringing the capabilities of skilled persons with disabilities to the forefront of the country and the world. NDFDC is also informing about the schemes of economic empowerment run by NHFDC for the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
Under the schemes of the Corporation, loans ranging from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 50 lakhs are provided to persons with disabilities for various income-generating activities. These loans are available at an interest rate of 4% to 9% per annum. He said that the Corporation is implementing its loan schemes through its State Channelizing Agencies, Punjab National Bank, and Regional Rural Banks present in various states.
Information about the schemes of the Corporation is available on the Corporation’s website (link unavailable) In this fair, government and non-government organizations related to the interests of persons with disabilities are also informing about their schemes.
This national fair for disabled entrepreneurs, artisans, and artists will continue till August 22, 2024. Entry is free for all in this fair. On August 22, 2024, a unique program called Divya Kalaa Shakti will be presented by disabled artists from across the country, which will captivate your mind. A job fair for persons with disabilities will also be organized on August 21, 2024, in this fair.
