Shillong, Sept 27: In order to show government’s commitment is pushing for entrepreneurship in the State and to support it in every way possible, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday awarded a mobility support to an entrepreneur who is a Person With Disability (PWD), Justipassing Ryntathiang from West Khasi Hills District.Sangma had announced that government will provide some mobility support to Ryntathiang after seeing the challenges he faced to move around to cope up with his day to day life.

“Lucky that during this time a new technology was introduced by individuals in Chennai. Timing was very good and thankful to entire team,” said Sangma.

The CM was hopeful that this unit will not only help Ryntathiang and his entrepreneurial ventures but also others with disabilities to realise that challenges shouldn’t stop them from achieving their dreams. He added that the government is always there to support them.“Ryntathiang is a shining example of one to show courage and move forward,” said Sangma.

Justipassing Ryntathiang

Ryntathiang gained limelight after the recent E-Challenge Entrepreneur program wherein he won an award for the entrepreneur work he’s doing.

Ryntathiang, a 33-year-old entrepreneur from Mawblei, makes local items like mura (local chair).

He said he’s very happy that the government has now eased his way of travelling since earlier he had to use his hands to walk.

“I will need help since I don’t know how to use it. I think it will take time to get a hang of it,” added Ryntathiang.

Mobility support

The wheelchair was bought under the Chief Minister’s Special Grant at a cost of Rs. 90,000. However, the government has no immediate plans of distributing this particular unit to others. It will, though, keep distributing other kinds of mobility units which are supported by Government of India.

But CM Sangma expressed that the government will look at the scope of distributing these mobility solutions in the future either through sponsored initiatives or as a scheme, which will help many more.

He also mentioned that government in the past years had organised programmes providing different kind of help to the differently abled and will continue to do so.

Meghalaya has approximately 44,000 people with disabilities. 

Schemes for PwDs

Commisioner For Persons with Disability, Sabrella Marak said there are many people who still need financial help and they need economic stability, especially in rural areas.

She informed that there is a bank called the National Handicapped Finance Development Corporation (NHFDC) exclusively through Apex Bank, from which PwDs can take financial assistance.

She also informed that enrolling of PWDs with UID cards in Meghalaya has come to around 60% but they have more to achieve. Through this UID cards the PWDs can avail different schemes.