President presents National Awards for The Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities

Addressing the gathering, the President said that the future of the country depends on ensuring all citizens have the capacity to realise their full potential.

"To achieve this goal, we have to create a sensitive and harmonious society, where every person feels empowered – and a society of empathy, where one person feels the pain of another," said he.

Kovind said that our Constitution guarantees equality, freedom, justice and dignity to all citizens, including the Divyang.

"The Government has enacted laws for the empowerment, inclusion and mainstreaming of differently-abled persons. No Divyang person should be evaluated by his or her physical ability, but by his or her intellect, knowledge and courage," said he.

The President congratulated the award winners and said he was optimistic they would inspire other differently-abled persons to strive to reach new heights.

He also expressed confidence that citizens of our country will build an inclusive New India, with an appropriate and sensitive approach to our Divyang fellow Indians.