AMRITSAR: The Department of Education at Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar observed International Wheelchair Day on March 1, 2023, in recognition of the day's significance.The International Wheelchair Day is commemorated annually around the World on 1st March to celebrate the positive impact a wheelchair has on the lives of wheelchair users. The day is dedicated to celebrate the great work of people who provide wheelchairs, support and care for wheelchair users and make the World a better and more accessible place for people with mobility disabilities.
Prof. (Dr.) Preet Mohinder Singh Bedi, Dean Students' Welfare, was the main guest at this event. He informed the students about the significance of this day and advocated for wheelchair accessibility throughout the university campus and all public areas. Additionally, he discussed the utilization of wheel chairs for Divyangjan and the less fortunate.Prof. (Dr.) Deepa Sikand Kauts, Dean Faculty of Education, also addressed the students on this occasion and told them about the self-propelled wheelchair that was invented in 1655 by Stephan Farfler, a clockmaker from Nuremberg, Germany, who was paraplegic and built his own mobility aid at the age of 22 after breaking his back as a child. She went on to say that today is the tenth anniversary of International Wheelchair Day, which serves as a platform for recognizing the positive impact that a wheel chair can have on the lives of people.
Additionally, a flag- off ceremony was held on this occasion. Those present in the flag-off ceremony were Dean Students Welfare Prof. (Dr.) Preet Mohinder Singh Bedi, Prof. (Dr) Deepa Sikand Kauts, facultymembers, research scholars and students of the department of education, GNDU.The rally of students chanted the slogan "SIKHYA DA UPYOOG KARO, DIVYANGANA NU SAHIYOOG KARO" as it passed through various departments. In addition, the students performed a Nukad Natak in front of the Bhai Gurdas Library, highlighting the significance of International Wheelchair Day and raising awareness about making wheel chairs accessible to all Divyangjans and providing them with equal treatment and access. Overall, the event was very successful due to the provision of conducive environment provided by our honorable Vice Ch