39 Foundation Day of Shanta Memorial Rehabilitation Center (SMRC) & Ashok Hans Memorial Lecture Celebrates.

Bhubaneswar : July 18, 2024 ( pratyushanews ) : Shanta Memorial Rehabilitation Centre (SMRC) celebrated its 39th Foundation Day today. On this day, the 10 Ashok Memorial Lecture was delivered by Sri Arman Ali veteran disability activist and Director NCPEDP Delhi. Dr Aurobindo Behera, IAS (Retd) member Advisory Board SMRC chaired the meeting. Prof. Ashok Sar of KIIT University and member board SMRC initiated the proceedings, speaking on the relentless efforts made by the founder of SMRC, Shri Ashok Hans, and the diverse dimensions of disability that SMRC has been working on, not only at the state level but also at the national and international levels. He called on Arman Ali, the Chief Guest, to deliver the Lecture: The forgotten Demographic: Disabled People in Politics”.

An activist of 20 years and a wheelchair user he provided the history of political participation and exclusion of persons with disabilities. The activism by persons with disabilities has created laws that makes it mandatory for inclusive political process in India. He worked with SMRC’s founder Ashok Hans in improving accessibility for persons with disabilities. The speakers especially the Disability Commissioner Bratati Harichandan IAS and Niyati Pattnaik OAS Director SSEPD highlighted the importance of inclusive policies and practices, persons with disabilities. emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to ensure equal opportunities and rights for The celebration of SMRC’s 39 years of dedicated service to the disability community and the Ashok Memorial Lecture marks a significant milestone in the organization’s ongoing commitment to improving the lives of persons with disabilities. The event provided a platform for inclusive future. dialogue and exchange of ideas, reinforcing the collective responsibility towards building an inclusive future.