By Bhupen Goswami
Guwahati : Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal laid the foundation of North East College for Hearing Impaired at a function held at Birubari here today. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sonowal said that once completed the North East College for Hearing Impaired will play a great role in fulfilling the aspirations of the people with hearing inability with regard to pursuing higher education. He also said that students not only from Assam but also from entire North Easters states will receive quality higher education in this college.
He also said that to lend quality, State government would extend all possible assistance to this college. Chief Minister Sonowal however said that in the last 70 years no government has done anything for the welfare of the divyangjans. However, ever since the BJP led dispensation has come to power, the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narednra Modi has taken several path breaking initiatives for the socio-economic and educational development of the divyangjans. Chief Minister Sonowal also said that the present State government in its first budget had declared to provide Rs. 5000 financial assistance for medical purpose to the divyangjans and the government has fulfilled its promise. He also said that to lend dignity to divyangjans his government has given Rs. 1000 every month as stipend to the divyangjans. He also said besides having a distinction of setting up of the first ITI for divyangjans in Dibrugarh, State government would establish a university for them. Sonowal also said that every individual has special ability and talents. To give a direction to their talents, State government has taken several steps to the divyangjans to empower themselves. The programme organized jointly by the Department of Social Welfare Social and Assam Association of the Deaf Welfare Minister Pramila Rani Brahma, Education Minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Member of Parliament Bijoya Chakraborty, Additional Chief Secretary for Social Welfare Department Jishnu Baruah, Director Social Welfare Department Juri Phukan, General Secretary Assam Association of the Deaf Tapan Sarma and a host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
