In a major boost to disability rehabilitation and support services in Eastern India, Dr. Virendra Kumar, the Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, officially inaugurated a suite of advanced new facilities at the National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities (Divyangjan), Kolkata, on May 25.
During his official visit to the premier institute, the Union Minister comprehensively reviewed NILD’s ongoing operations, academic programs, and patient-care initiatives. Expressing high appreciation for the institute’s dedicated services toward empowerment and rehabilitation, Dr. Kumar emphasized the government’s steadfast commitment to enhancing accessibility and quality of life for Divyangjan (persons with disabilities).
The newly inaugurated infrastructure and services span critical domains including mobility training, clinical therapy, renewable energy, and digital outreach. The eight primary initiatives launched by the Union Minister include:
Driving Simulator: A specialized tool designed to provide safe, controlled, and adaptive driving training for individuals with physical challenges.
Emergency & Logistics Support: Addition of two new ambulances to ensure swift medical transport, alongside a dedicated office vehicle to streamline institutional operations.
Green Energy Initiative: Installation of a Solar Panel System, marking a progressive shift toward sustainable and eco-friendly institutional infrastructure.
Advanced Clinical Care: Launch of a specialized Low Vision Assessment Clinic and an integrated Combination Therapy Unit to expand the scope of targeted rehabilitation.
Digital Accessibility: Integration of the i-amma app -a cutting-edge mobile application developed by the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID), Secunderabad.
Cross-Disciplinary Therapy: A new Speech & Language Therapy Unit established at the Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities Regional Centre (AYJNSHD-RC), Kolkata, to provide holistic communication therapy.
The Union Minister was received by a high-level delegation led by Shri Rajeev Sharma, Joint Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and Chairperson of the NILD Executive Council. Dr. Lalit Narayan, Director of NILD Kolkata, was also present to welcome the Minister and guide the dignitaries through the newly established wings.
According to institutional authorities, this multi-faceted upgrade will significantly scale up NILD’s capacity to deliver comprehensive, tech-driven, and holistic rehabilitation services. The integration of advanced diagnostics, eco-friendly infrastructure, and inter-institutional digital tools reflects a modernized approach to creating an inclusive ecosystem for persons with disabilities.
