Chief Guest at the inauguration of the National Health Festival organized for Divyangjan as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebration

Chandigarh, April 5,: Haryana Governor Shri Bandaru Dattatraya on Tuesday said the state government led by Chief Minister Shri Manohar Lal is encouraging the participation of Divyangjan in sports. The cash prize is also given to them for winning medals in the Special Olympics and every year one of these players is honoured with the Bhim Award.

The Governor was speaking as the Chief Guest at the inauguration of the National Health Festival organized for Divyangjan as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebration organized by the Special Olympics Bharat at SGT University, Chandu Budheda village, Gurugram.

The function was presided over by Dr Mallika Nadda, National Chairperson of Special Olympics Bharat. Haryana BJP unit president Om Prakash Dhankhar, Director General, Health Services, Dr Veena Singh, Chancellor of SGT University Padma Shri Ram Bahadur Rai, former MLA of Kalka Assembly constituency Smt Latika Sharma, University Chairman Shri Manmohan Singh Chawla, Vice Chancellor Dr OP Kalra, Shri Surajpal Ammu, Vice President of Haryana Olympic Association, and many other dignitaries were present.

Governor Shri Dattatraya in his address said that under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, which is being organized to mark 75th anniversary of the country’s independence, Special Olympics Bharat is organizing the National Health Fest across the country in which 75,000 Divyangjan will be medically examined on April 5th and 7th for which he congratulated Smt Mallika Nadda.

He said that there is no dearth of talent among the Divyangjan. There is a need to encourage and facilitate them to excel in life for which social organizations and other stakeholders need to supplement the government efforts. NGOs should also come forward for the welfare of Divyangjan, he said.

The Governor said that generally the institutions are located in urban areas but they should also go to rural areas to find out more talents. Sports play an important role in a person’s life. Without play no one can make the most of his talent, he said, adding that sports also inculcate among us the team spirit. The National Health Festival by Special Olympics Bharat is taking forward the ‘Fit India’ campaign.

Speaking on the occasion, Padma Shri Shri Ram Bahadur Rai, Chancellor of SGT University, said that this program organized through Special Olympics Bharat would create a new ray of hope in the lives of Divyangjan. After the inauguration of the health festival, Governor Shri Dattatraya, Smt Mallika Nadda and other guests went to see the process of medical examination of Divyangjan. The Governor boosted their morale while interacting with them.