Friends,
Our advocacy efforts are yielding results. Vision to Reality in less than 2 years. Finally Specially Abled People in India will have a single/ Universal ID card across the country to avail several government benefits and this will bring end to their tremendous hardship to apply for multiple ID cards – valid limited to state transport or railways or for education etc. Kudos to Govt of India – IAS officer Shri Awanish Awasthi and his team’s efforts, supported by H’ble Cabinet Minister Shri Gehlot ji.
Here are the milestones of this journey to offer UID to SAP.
1. We published Vision 2020 in January 2014
2. BJP manifesto included issuing Universal ID card to Specially Abled People in April 7 2014 (point # 3, page 20)
3. We met with Shri Gehlot ji and his team in Jul 2014, discussed UID and its importance
4. Received concept note to provide feedback on UID on Jul 30 from Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt of India
5. Several interactions since then and now Govt will start issuing from December 3 2015 per this press release by Govt of India
Let us all be inspired with such progress for the cause of 7 crore people in India and spread the word to expand our presence to continue our advocacy efforts with local, state and central Govt, Corporate, Social and religious leaders to make inclusive decisions and transform our society forever that takes care of its Specially Abled People.
Pranav Desai.
