EDII power push lifts disabled entrepreneurs with pride
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EDII celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities; honours disabled entrepreneurs
The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, celebrated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities by honouring successful disabled entrepreneurs.
This day is marked every year across the world to support people with disabilities and to raise awareness about their rights. The United Nations was established on this day in 1992 to help societies become more equal and more kind. EDII has been working for many years to help people with disabilities start small and strong businesses. Its training programmes give people confidence, skills and a support system.
The chief guest at the event was Honourable Minister Dr Pradyuman Ganubhai Vaja, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Primary, Secondary and Adult Education, and Higher and Technical Education, Gujarat.
The Minister’s presence showed the state’s commitment to inclusion. His ministry runs many schemes that help persons with disabilities, such as skill training centres, support for self-employment, devices, and education grants. Gujarat has also introduced modern assistive tools in schools and offices to help disabled persons take part in daily life without barriers.
The programme was also attended by Dr Sunil Shukla, Director General of EDII; Dr Satya Ranjan Acharya, Professor and Director of the Department of Entrepreneurship Education, EDII; Dr Amit Kumar Dwivedi, Professor and Director of the Government Projects Department, EDII; and Dr Prakash Solanki, Associate Professor, EDII.
These leaders have guided many projects across India, including rural entrepreneurship, women entrepreneurship and disability inclusion programmes. EDII has trained over 15,000 persons with disabilities in the past years through various state and central-level initiatives. Their work focuses on business planning, digital learning, confidence building and market linkages.
More than 20 stalls were also showcased at the event. These stalls were inaugurated by the Honourable Minister.
The stalls displayed products made by disabled entrepreneurs, including handmade goods, snacks, home-care items, digital services and repair work. Such exhibitions help the public understand the hard work and talent of disabled business owners. They also help these entrepreneurs gain customers, buyers and investors on the spot.
Sharing his thoughts on the need for equal opportunities, Dr Pradyuman Vaja said, “Persons with disabilities should get equal chances and rights in every part of life — including education, jobs and health care. India is one of the developing countries that has one of the strongest policy systems for the welfare of persons with disabilities. With the support of the Government and institutes like EDII, efforts are going on to support persons with disabilities and help them move forward in social, economic and cultural fields. I send my best wishes to Dr Shukla and his team for their committed work to empower persons with disabilities and make their lives full of dignity and opportunities.”
India’s Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act gives strong support for equal rights in public spaces, schools and workplaces. Many Indian states also run job fairs, training centres and loan support schemes for disabled persons. The Minister’s comments show how important these combined efforts are to build an inclusive society.
Dr Sunil Shukla, Director General of EDII, said, “India is moving towards building an inclusive society. New ideas and new environments are growing fast, but for full change, society must take steady, committed and active steps. These steps should help change people’s mindsets towards persons with disabilities and encourage acceptance and equality. At EDII, we are seeing positive results in this direction and have developed strong practices that help build a supportive and inclusive ecosystem for persons with disabilities.”
EDII runs centres that support start-ups, mentorship sessions and market linkages. It also trains trainers across the country so more institutions can work with disabled entrepreneurs. Many success stories from EDII show how people, despite physical or sensory challenges, have become self-reliant and confident.
At the event, disabled entrepreneurs were honoured for their courage and success in rising above their limitations.
The honoured entrepreneurs included Mrs Kavita Modi (Ravi 555), Mrs Chetanaben Patel (Gurushakti Detergent Manufacturing) and Mr Kalpesh Maganbhai Pandya (Sale and Repairing of Electronic Products). They were given certificates of honour.
These entrepreneurs represent thousands of disabled individuals in India who run small but strong businesses. Their work shows that with training and encouragement, people with disabilities can lead successful and independent lives.
A document based on the ‘Centre for Empowerment of Differently-Abled (CEDA)’ was also released during the programme. This document includes the centre’s achievements, successes and some inspiring stories.
CEDA provides training, counselling, business guidance and support tools. The stories in the document highlight the courage of people who refused to give up, even in difficult situations.
