Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the Centre will consider sympathetically a proposal for setting up of a Divyaang Special University, the first of its kind institution in the country, in Jodhpur.
At a function at the Shri Parasmal Bohra Netraheen Mahavidyalaya (college for blind) here, he referred to various efforts made by the Modi government during the last 11 years for the betterment of Divyaangs.
Nothing is impossible when the government, non-governmental institutions, and the society (individuals) join hands, Mr Shah said.
Addressing an august gathering after laying the foundation stones for three buildings of the institution, the Home Minister said, “Sansthan’s founder Chairperson Sushila Bohra has requested twice during the function that the government should open a Divyaang dedicated special university under the aegis of the Netraheen Vikas Sansthan here in Jodhpur. She has even requested an announcement here at this ceremony.
“I appreciated her sentiments and her 60 years long dedicated work through the Sansthan’s nine divyaang special institutions. However, we make any announcement after proper discussions at the appropriate level and by following all procedures. Therefore, I assure you that we will have discussions with the state government and consider the proposal sympathetically,’’ he added.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also spoke on the occasion.
The Parasmal Bohra Netraheen Mahavidhyalaya here will start imparting education to visually impaired students at a modern and well-equipped residential campus in this Rajasthan district.
The college with all facilities and equipment required for divyaang (blind), is a unit of the Netraheen Vikas Sansthan benevolence initiative, and was established by noted educationist and social reformer Susheela Bohra in 1977.
The new campus will have three spacious and well-equipped buildings.
Moti Lal Oswal Gyandeep Bhawan for the college is being built with the support of Rs 3.46 crore from Moti Lal Oswal Foundation, Sansthan founder Chairperson Sushila Bohra said.
Likewise, Moti Lal Oswal Jyoti Sadan will be built for Girls Hostel by Moti Lal Oswal foundation with Rs 5.48 crore, and the HG Foundation Divya Jyoti Bhawan for Boys Hostel by HG Foundation, she said.
A theme-based exhibition is also being organised on the occasion that would showcase Sansthan’s 48-year-long efforts and struggles for the welfare of visually challenged divyaangs and women’s empowerment.
The Netraheen Vikas Sansthan had begun its mission on August 15, 1977, with two blind children in a modest temple premise. The mission now runs nine educational institutions for divyaang, where a total of 1,251 students are being imparted education.
The Sansthan-run institutions have so far imparted special education to 4,626 blind, deaf, or dumb students, Parasmal Bohra Netraheen College Chairman Anil Bohra said.
A versatile educationist and reformer, Sushila Bohra, during her 50-year-long service in public life, has been felicitated with many coveted awards and held several high positions in various panels and bodies.