Overview
- Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya urged a focus on abilities over disabilities, citing the shift from the term ‘Viklang’ to ‘Divyangjan’.
- He praised Assam initiatives such as the Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation scheme for rehabilitation, financial support and skill development.
- The six honorees were Maulik Rabha (art and culture), Nibedita Ghosh (literature and education), Dharani Kalita (science/engineering/medicine/environment), Rakesh Banik (social work/public affairs), Abhishek Gogoi (sports) and Akoni Baruah (trade/industry/commerce).
- Citations highlighted converting manual tricycles to electric models, a 2,500-km journey to support flood victims, Special Olympics medals and handicraft entrepreneurship creating local jobs.
- The awards were conferred in Guwahati on Viswakarma Jayanti, which the governor noted also coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday.