Another important segment of the event was awards to selected divyang entrepreneurs. Selected Divyang Entrepreneurs from Gujarat were felicitated by Hon’ble Shri Pradip Parmar. CEDA invited nominations from eligible entrepreneurs and received 49 nominations from all across Gujarat, which were screened by the high-level committee which arrived at 30 nominations. The Committee then interacted with 30 shortlisted candidates to arrive at 12 finalists.

The 12 finalists were further evaluated on the basis of achievements,

• Challenges faced for setting up the organization,
• Innovation in product / service,
• Environment friendly product / service,
• Future plan

5 entrepreneurs were finally selected who were felicitated by Shri Pradip Parmarji.

The winners included:

• Mrs. Harshidaben Prajapati (Female entrepreneur); Diva Care Products Harshidaben Prajapati is handicapped. She feels that every women is not in a position to buy sanitary products of established brands due to weak economic conditions. She, therefore, started the business of sanitary pads with an initial investment of Rs.2.5 lakh in the year 2015. Currently she is running this business with the help of six women. Her husband Mr. Ghanshyambhai Prajapati is taking care of financial and marketing aspects of business. She wants to add more divyang women in her business. Currently, they are selling their products through medical stores.
• Mr. Jagdishbhai Patel (Male entrepreneur); Divyang Gruh Udyog Mr. Jagdishbhai Patel started his business in 2017. Initially, he bought soaps from Ahmedabad and sold in nearby villages. He invested some money from his own savings. Currently, he is manufacturing more than 42 items like soaps, detergent liquid, phenol, etc. under the brand name of Divyang Gruh Udyog. He is exclusively selling his products to other divyangs so that they can sell further and earn a living. In his manufacturing facility, he provides employment to divyangjan. In future, he wants to provide employment to 500 to 1000 divyangjan.
• Mr. Samir Kakkad (Male entrepreneur); SaiKa Mobility Hub Mr. Samir Kakkad belongs to Banaskhantha district of Gujarat. He is a mechanical engineer. His father and mother were doctors, yet unfortunately he suffered from Polio at the age of 1. He successfully designed a product which helps in the mobility of divyangjan. He has also come up with a mobility kit for divyangjan. Currently, more than 10000 divyangjan are using his kit in their vehicles and are thus able to       overcome their locomotive handicaps.

The Chief Guest congratulated the winners and highlighted how hard work, determination and perseverance could move mountains.

Hon’ble Shri Pradip Parmar stated, “There are focused efforts required to alter the mindset of people towards the differently abled. Their self-reliance is the responsibility of society because the differently abled have unique strengths and skills that need to be worked upon to let them stand as self-confident and self-assured entrepreneurs. Several Government policies are also focused on creating a favourable environment for them, and these are sure generating results. EDII is doing great work. The Institute is facilitating inclusive growth. This is extremely important for a wholesome society.”

Also present the occasion was Surendra Naik, Founder, Udaan Charitable Trust. He said, “The exhibition amazed me; I was surprised at the creativity of the differently abled. The products and services are invented by them can inspire any person. This just proves how our society could bring them into the mainstream and create a win-win situation wherein they become self-reliant and the society too benefits.”

Opining, Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII, said, “Every individual has unique competencies and there is a need to tap into this vast potential of the differently abled. Hon’ble Shri Narendra Modi ji has very rightly coined the word Divyang, and has helped us all acknowledge the divine power among the differently abled. The nation thanks him for this. It is important to facilitate all-round development of Divyangjan through right skill building, mentoring and counselling, so that they can well be integrated into the mainstream social structure.”

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities also celebrated the resilience of the Divyangjan by organising of Sports Competition. The competitions included carom, chess, badminton and table tennis for Divyangjan. The sports competition was inaugurated by Paralympian badminton player Parul Patel in which about 64 players participated in various games. The six winners of the sports competition were presented with citation and award money by Hon’ble Shri Pradip Parmar. The winners were Manish G Prajapati in Table Tennis (Male Category), Jul Soni in Table Tennis (Female Category), Nisarg Panchal in Badminton (Male Catergory), Pooja Barvadiya in Badminton (Female Category), Rahul Koshti in Carom and Ramesh Pankhaniya in Chess.

A quick glance into the achievements of Centre for Empowerment of the Differently Abled