BHOPAL: On the International Day of persons with disabilities Madhya Pradesh has been awarded with Best State Award for year 2014 for empowerment of differently abled. The Award instituted by Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment was given by President Pranab Mukherjee at a function held in New Delhi on Wednesday at Vigyan Bhavan.

Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thavar Chand Gehlot, Minister of State Krishnapal Gurjar and senior officials from the ministry were also present on the occasion.

The Government has also selected Gwalior and Indore districts for National Award for 2014 for empowerment of disabled. Gwalior Collector P Narhari was conferred National Award for creating best hurdle-free facilities for disabled persons at public places. About 10 to 15 thousand disabled have benefited so far from barrier free facilities.

National Award was also given to Indore Collector Akash Tripathi for providing rehabilitation services for disabled persons. Two persons from Madhya Pradesh have also been selected for National Awards as best role models for disabled empowerment works. They include Dr Rohit Trivedi, Bhopal (vision impaired) and Rabia Khan, Indore (vision impaired).

Planned efforts for rehabilitation and welfare of disabled persons have been made in Madhya Pradesh on the initiative of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Lives of disabled have undergone a pleasant change as a result of committed efforts by the state government and they are continuously moving forward along with all sections of society.

So for, 8.10 lakh disabled persons have been linked with Sparsh Abhiyan in Madhya Pradesh. As many as 1191 camps have been held for welfare of the disabled in the state where certificates have distributed to 6,46,890 disabled persons and artificial limbs and accessories to 68,182 disabled persons. Lives of 3,705 disabled persons have been made easier through corrective surgeries.