Hitart Sahayak National Convention 2026

June 17, 2026

112 HITARTH Sahayaks from 13 States and 4 state Disability Commissioners Unite to Advance Healthcare Access and Rehabilitation Support for PwIDDs

The first ever HITARTH National Convention, organized by PARIVAAR NCPO (National Confederation of Parents Organizations) in collaboration with Voice of Specially Abled People (VOSAP), USA, concluded successfully on 14 June 2026 at SNEH Nagda, Madhya Pradesh.

Centered around the theme:

“Strengthening Community Support for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (PwIDDs) through Health Coverage and Rehabilitation Services,”

the convention brought together 112 HITARTH Sahayaks from 13 states across India Disability Commissioners from 4 states, along with parents, NGOs, social workers, and community advocates committed to creating a stronger support ecosystem for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Keynote Address by Pranav Desai, Founder of VOSAP

A major highlight of the convention was the inspiring keynote address by Pranav Desai, Founder of VOSAP (Voice of Specially Abled People), USA, who joined virtually from Los Angeles.

Addressing delegates from across India, Pranav Desai emphasized the importance of building a nationwide grassroots support network capable of reaching families of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the community level.

He highlighted the achievements of the HITARTH initiative and its growing impact in connecting beneficiaries to healthcare services, rehabilitation support, and government welfare programs. He also shared the long-term vision for the next decade, scaling the movement to serve millions of beneficiaries across India through technology-enabled community engagement and volunteer leadership. VOSAP leaders Jayana Shah and Usha Desai also joined from Los Angeles.

Distinguished Guests of Honour

The convention was graced by several eminent leaders and disability commissioners from across India, who delivered Guest of Honour addresses and shared their insights on strengthening disability services.

Distinguished Guests Included:

B.J. Rajput, IAS – State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Gujarat
Prof. Himanshu Shekhar Jha – State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Uttar Pradesh
Dr. Ajay Kheriya – State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Madhya Pradesh
Tongpang L. Jamir – State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Nagaland
Dr. Pankaj Maru – National President, PARIVAAR NCPO and Founder, SNEH Nagda
Commander Shringi Bindu (Retd.) – Former National President, PARIVAAR NCPO
Other leaders and disability sector experts from across the country

The guests emphasized the importance of leveraging the resources under HITARTH and NIRAMAYA to serve the Intellectually Disabled people in the community, help them with documentation, awareness, grassroots leadership, and improved implementation of the government of India welfare scheme to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive timely healthcare.

Sessions Focused on Real-World Impact

Session I: Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme

Speaker: Dr. Pankaj Maru

Dr. Maru provided a comprehensive overview of the Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme, explaining:

Eligibility criteria
Enrollment procedures
Renewal processes
Claim filing mechanisms
Practical approaches for successful claim settlement

Participants engaged in discussions on common challenges faced by families and strategies to improve claim success rates.

Session II: HITARTH Journey, Impact and Future Roadmap

Speaker: Viplove Chouhan

A live demonstration of the HITARTH digital platform showcased how HITARTH Sahayaks can:

Register beneficiaries
Process enrollments and renewals
Upload documents
Track claims
Generate reports
Manage beneficiary services digitally

The session also highlighted the achievements of the HITARTH initiative and its roadmap for future expansion. Participants learned how technology is helping create a more efficient and transparent support system for families of PwIDDs.

Session III: New Opportunities for HITARTH Sahayaks

Speakers: Dhruv Chavda and Mohd. Faiz (VOSAP)

The final technical session focused on:

Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR)
Government disability welfare schemes
Skill development initiatives
Digital empowerment
Emerging opportunities within the disability sector

Speakers encouraged HITARTH Sahayaks to become community leaders and catalysts for social change, helping more families access services and benefits.

Open House Discussion and State-Wise Experience Sharing

One of the most engaging segments of the convention was the Open House Discussion, where representatives from various states shared:

Success stories
Ground-level challenges
Enrollment experiences
Claim management issues
Best practices
Recommendations for policy improvements

Participants collectively discussed future strategies for expanding the HITARTH network and improving service delivery to beneficiaries. Several suggestions generated during the session are expected to contribute to future planning and strengthening of the HITARTH ecosystem.

Recognition of Outstanding HITARTH Sahayaks

The convention concluded with a recognition ceremony honoring outstanding HITARTH Sahayaks for their exceptional service and dedication. Certificates were distributed to all 112 participants representing 13 states, acknowledging their contribution to supporting persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Could Not Attend the HITARTH National Convention?

You can still become part of the movement. The HITARTH initiative continues to expand across India and is actively welcoming new volunteers, professionals, and community leaders who want to create meaningful social impact.

Become a HITARTH Sahayak

As a HITARTH Sahayak, you can:

Help families with Niramaya Health Insurance enrollment, renewals, and claims
Improve access to healthcare and rehabilitation services
Support documentation and beneficiary outreach
Connect families with government disability schemes
Strengthen community-based support systems
Earn service incentives for your contribution

Proven Impact

In FY 2025–26, more than ₹1.30 Crore was distributed as service incentives to HITARTH Sahayaks across India, recognizing their efforts in supporting beneficiaries and families. Over 23 HITARTH Sahayaks achieve earnings exceeding ₹1 lakh.

Join India’s Growing Disability Support Movement

By becoming a HITARTH Sahayak, you can play a direct role in helping families access healthcare, rehabilitation, insurance coverage, and social support services.

Registration Link:

https://impacthub.autistrys.com/l/172ccf126c