President presents “National Awards for Empowerment of Persons With Disabilities -2016 to Awardees 

President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee presented the National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), 2016 to awardees at a function organized by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment here today on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3rd December). Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, Ministers of State of Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar, Shri Ramdas Athawale also graced the occasion.
●    Minister of State of Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar said that according to census 2011, there are 2.68 crore Divyangjan in our country who exhibit great diversity in terms of quantum of Disability as well as type of Disabilities. He told about the achievements under various schemes being successfully implemented by the Department for empowerment of Divyangjan with specifically mentioning about the skill development programs, ADIP scheme and Accessible India Campaign.
●    On International Day of Persons with Disabilities i.e. 3rd December  the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment presents National Awards on Individuals, Institutions, Organisations, State/District etc for their outstanding achievements and work done towards empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. The National Award is presented in 14 broad categories –
●    Best Employees/Self Employed with disabilities;
●    Best Employers & Best Placement Officer or Agency;
●    Best Individual and Best Institution working for the Cause of Persons with Disabilities;
●    Role Model;
●    Best Applied Research or Innovation or Product Development aimed at improving the life of persons with Disabilities;
●    Outstanding Work in the Creation of Barrier-free Environment for the Persons with Disabilities;
●    Best District in Providing Rehabilitation Services;
●    Best State Channelizing Agency of National Handicapped Federation Development Corporation;
●    Outstanding Creative Adult Persons with Disabilities;
●    Best Creative Child with Disabilities;
●    Best Braille Press;
●    Best “Accessible” Website;
●    Best State in promoting empowerment of persons with disabilities; and
●    Best sports person with disability.