Seminar on self-reliance for PwDs

A career counselling and entrepreneurship seminar for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) was held at Tourist Lodge, Dimapur, on Friday.
Organized by Prodigals’ Home under the LIC Housing Finance Limited Sarthak Initiative, the event aimed to address employment challenges and opportunities for PwDs in Nagaland. The seminar is part of a pilot project running from December 2024 to November 2025, based on a survey identifying tailored training needs.
Instructor Lanunungsang from the National Career Service Centre for the Differently Abled (NCSCDA) emphasized the importance of rehabilitation services and vocational training in areas such as tailoring, electronics, carpentry, and computer applications.
He urged PwDs to enroll in available training programs, noting that Dimapur hosts four training centers—an unusual concentration for a single city. He revealed that Rs. 35 lakh allocated last year remained unused due to a lack of applications, highlighting a gap in awareness.
Addressing accessibility challenges, he mentioned that the government has designated 2.5 acres of land at Kushiabill for a PwD residential facility, though concerns remain over its suitability. He also spoke on the discrimination, social exclusion, and mental health struggles PwDs face, stressing the importance of better support services.
Various government schemes were discussed, including disability pensions, free travel passes, scholarships, and employment assistance. Secretarial Practice Instructor Deep Jyoti Das encouraged PwDs to explore agriculture and animal husbandry, citing Nagaland’s fertile land and growing organic market demand. He highlighted training and financial aid options such as ITI, NABARD, and MUDRA Loans and suggested utilizing platforms like NEHHDC and the Hornbill Festival for marketing.
The seminar reinforced the need for awareness and accessibility to empower PwDs toward financial independence and sustainable livelihoods.