Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 26: A one-day workshop in collaboration with MIER College and Babu Jagjiwan Ram Trust sponsored by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) was organized at MIER College of Education under its B.Ed. Spl. Education Department.
The theme of the workshop was “Journey Towards Inclusion.” The purpose was to develop awareness and positive attitudes about the rights as well as abilities of the persons with special needs.
Over 50 teachers from government and private schools in Jammu district participated in the workshop besides parents of children with special needs from Model Academy.
Dr. Arun. K. Gupta, Chairman MIER was the Chief Guest. Dr. K.R. Arya, Chairperson, North Zonal Coordination Committee, chaired the workshop. Dr. Renu Gupta, Director MIER, was the Guest of Honor. Dr. Shakuntla Arya, Director Babu Jagjiwan Ram Trust was the special Guest of Honour.
The program commenced with the lighting of the lamp of empowerment of people with disabilities and a bouquet was presented to the Chief Guest. Dr. Renu Gupta, Director MIER extended a warm welcome to all. In her opening remarks, she said that RCI is the nodal agency recognized at the national level that is not only involved in redefining disabilities and spreading awareness but also acts as a regulatory body for different training programs in the field of special education. She further added that such sensitization workshops are needed to create awareness and generate empathy towards people with exceptionalities. Dr. Gupta highlighted the need to change the mindset of people in society and in educational arena for accepting people with special needs.
Speaking about the workshop, Dr. Arya exhorted that though much has been done by RCI and other NGOs in the area of special education, still much needs to be done.
Dr Arya provided an overview of the workshop and its relevance as India is on the journey towards inclusive education.