Mandya leads the way in inclusive development for specially-abled

Mandya district is pioneering an all-round initiative aimed at uplifting specially-abled individuals, marking what officials call a first-of-its-kind effort in Karnataka. Authorities from district headquarters to village-level panchayats are joining hands to ensure inclusive progress.

From improving maternal nutrition to setting up exclusive libraries for the specially-abled, a range of developmental plans is being rolled out. At a programme hosted at Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar Kalamandira, state commissioner for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Das Suryavamshi, lauded Mandya’s efforts, calling it a “historic precedent” for inclusive development—especially for women, children, and persons with disabilities.

Organised by the district administration, zilla panchayat, and the Department for Empowerment of Differently-abled and Senior Citizens, the event focused on the effective implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. It brought together officers across all administrative tiers, rehabilitation workers, and NGOs.

Zilla panchayat CEO K R Nandini urged officials to look beyond the statutory 5% reservation and work toward skill development, job creation, and healthcare accessibility for the specially-abled. She highlighted the success of free summer camps that benefitted nearly 12,000 children and stressed that the next priority must be the holistic development of specially-abled individuals.

Nandini emphasized the role of maternal care in preventing disabilities, urging departments to ensure nutritious diets, timely vaccinations, and essential healthcare for expectant mothers. Plans are also underway to open exclusive libraries for specially-abled citizens in every taluk of the district.

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