New Delhi: The highest National Award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, this year was conferred on Dr. Yogesh Dube.He was selected as the Best Individual Working for the causes of Persons with Disabilities, by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
Vice – President M Venkaiyyah Naidu felicitated Dr.Dube with a cash prize of Rs 1,00,000, a citation and a certificate at Vigyan Bhavan here on Monday at function organised to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
“This highest award in this field is given every year by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to individuals working for the benefit of the disabled citizens. Dr. Yogesh Dube received the award for his altruistic services over the past two decades through education facilities, vocational training, skill development, job opportunities for the disabled.
He has also launched an Aadhar Linked divyang friendly Mobile App “Divyang Connect”. Dr. Dube has provided assistance to numerous Divyangs by way of mobility aids, prosthesis, medicines, and assistance with government schemes and has also organised exhibitions for the Divyangs on job opportunities.
He has assisted in rehabilitating people afflicted by Japanese Encephalitis (J.E.) / Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (A.E.S) which has resulted in their being disabled.
He has also filed petitions with the NHRC & MSHRC for divyang-friendly infrastructure in public utility buildings in Mumbai & other cities of Maharashtra and has taken up their cause for seamless travel with the Airport Authorities and, Railways and other Government departments for the benefit of the divyangs through policy interventions and implementation by the government, local bodies and other organisations.
Dr. Dube launched the national burns awareness programme organised by Gujarat Plastic Surgeons Association and AMA to make India burns free by 2025.
He is the chief promoter of wheelchair cricket in Maharashtra promoting sportsmanship and confidence among the divyanjans and is an active member of various trusts and organisations working for the cause.
He has organised numerous campaigns for the welfare and health of the disabled and has brought into focus of the central and state governments that the divyangs are an important part of the country and that the opportunities for gainful employment and decent living have to be made available and catered to.
