JU organizes an Inclusivity workshop for NSS volunteers and Students

  The Office of the Programme Coordinator, NSS and Coordinator Disability Initiatives, University of Jammu in collaboration with the Govt College for Women, Parade Jammu organised a  one day workshop on Inclusivity for the students and NSS volunteers. The workshop was held today at GCW, Parade, where Prof Kusumlata Malik, President National Federation for Blind, India and Sh. Anil Joshi, Former member National Trust Act GoI, Accessibility and Inclusivity Professional were the invited resource persons. In their session both the resource persons highlighted the need to understand and appreciate the contours of human diversity. Prof. Malik gave instances where being disabled in considered primary part of a person’s identity, undermining the other potentials of the individual. She stressed on the need of looking beyond the limitations of those with disabilities. Sh. Joshi shared his exemplary journey as a parent to a daughter who despite her Down syndrome has become fully independent and competent. He further asked the volunteers to reach out to the parents of children with disabilities and share with them the need of early identification and intervention.

Dr. Hema Gandotra, Programme Coordinator, NSS talked about the importance of the workshop and underlined the need for fostering an inclusive environment in a world where diversity is celebrated. She further stressed that through these kinds of workshops volunteers will gain valuable insights into the significance of embracing differences.

Prof. Sarika Manhas, Coordinator, Disability Initiatives while addressing the volunteers focused on the need for open dialogues and urged upon the participants to share their views and experiences for creating safe and supportive spaces for all. She mentioned that true inclusivity can been attained when the principle of Zero reject is followed. She informed that the University of Jammu is committed towards creating a conducive and friendly environment for persons with disability. She urged volunteers to have develop empathic approach in their lives.

           Dr. S.P. Saraswat, Principal. Parade College shared about the various new initiatives taken for the personality development of the students. He encouraged the students to participate in actively where there are opportunities of self-exploration and self-expression. He also narrated anecdotes from his interaction with people with disabilities, which were inspirational and motivational.

Dr Harmanmeet Kaur, Co-convenor, NSS advisory committee, GCW Parade presented the welcome address. She deliberated upon the importance of the concept of inclusivity in the life of the individuals. She stressed on the need for leadership potential among the NSS volunteers.Dr Gurpreet Kour, Programme Officer, NSS thanked the University of Jammu for such an endeavor and also stressed upon the inclusion of Persons with Disability in the journey of Viksit Bharat. Dr. Atiya Sayeed, Programme Officer, NSS presented the formal vote of thanks on the occasion.

Certificates of merit were also distributed to the students who has participated in the fortnight Viksit Bhart Abhiyan organized in the college. More than 100 students and volunteers participated in the day long workshop.