1 September 2026, New Delhi: The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, and the Rajyoga Education Research Foundation (RERF), a sister organisation of Brahma Kumaris, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch the nationwide “Divyang Samanata, Sanrakshan evam Sashaktikaran Abhiyan (DISSSA)” at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Virendra Kumar, Hon’ble Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment,
emphasised the need to build an inclusive society where persons are recognised not by their disabilities, but by their abilities, talent, competence and potential. He stressed that the empowerment of persons with disabilities requires not only government efforts but also the meaningful participation of society and the active engagement of social, spiritual, educational and service-oriented institutions.
Dr. Kumar expressed
confidence that the experience and outreach network of Brahma Kumaris and RERF would significantly contribute towards taking government schemes and services to the last mile and ensuring that their benefits reach those who need them most. He also highlighted that empowering a person with a disability benefits not only the individual but also the family, society and the nation.
Shri B. L. Verma, Hon’ble Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, described
the initiative as a meaningful step towards social service, equality and inclusion. He emphasised the collective responsibility of the Government, State Governments, local administrations, families and society to safeguard the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities and provide them equal opportunities to realise their full potential.
Representing the Brahma Kumaris, Rajyogini BK Asha Didi, Member, Brahma Kumaris Management Committee, shared
that the organisation has been working continuously for the empowerment of persons with disabilities, particularly children and young people, for the past 18 years. During this period, dedicated programmes and comprehensive training modules have been developed. Trained teams use two dedicated vans to reach schools and colleges, with the cooperation of local authorities and educational institutions.
Specially developed educational resources, including Braille materials, teaching boards, games and training materials, are used to support concentration, confidence-building and personality development. National-level conferences and seminars are also organised at Mount Abu, where persons with disabilities participate in multi-day programmes focused on empowerment and self-reliance.
Shri Rajeev Sharma, Joint Secretary, DEPwD, stated that the DISSSA initiative provides an important opportunity to complement existing government efforts with the experience and outreach of Brahma Kumaris and RERF. He highlighted that meditation, Rajyoga and relaxation practices can provide an additional dimension to the holistic development of children with disabilities by promoting mental well-being, self-confidence, concentration and positive thinking.
The DISSSA campaign is a nationwide initiative aimed at creating an enabling environment for Divyangjan and strengthening their equality, inclusion and empowerment. Its activities will include value-based games, motivational songs, community meetings with parents and local communities, health-awareness activities, de-addiction and cleanliness initiatives, demonstrations and meditation sessions. These activities will help participants address psychological barriers such as fear of failure, feelings of inferiority and lack of confidence.
The campaign will be implemented through trained teams across multiple States and will cover persons with different categories of disabilities, including visual, hearing, learning and intellectual disabilities. Separate teams will work across different States, with programmes conducted in regional languages to strengthen accessibility and local outreach.
The MoU reflects the Government of India’s commitment to the empowerment and social inclusion of Divyangjan, in alignment with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the spirit of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.” By bringing together government resources, community networks and the expertise of social, spiritual and educational institutions, DISSSA seeks to ensure that persons with disabilities are recognised as equal and empowered partners in the development of society and the nation.
The event was attended by eminent dignitaries including Rajyogini BK Asha Didi, Rajyogi BK Lalit Bhai, Vice Chairperson, Divyangjan Sewa Wing of RERF, Rajyogini BK Vidhatri, Rajyogini BK Rajni and Rajyogini BK Preeti, along with representatives of DEPwD, including Shri Vineet Singhal, Director, Shri Manish Kumar Mishra, Under Secretary, and members of the media.
At its core, DISSSA aims to equip Divyangjan with essential life skills, strengthen their confidence and help them overcome psychological barriers, while creating an environment in which every person with a disability can realise their potential and participate in national life with dignity, equality and equal opportunity.
