- Honours Inspiring Divyang Entrepreneurs for Their Grit & Enterprise
- Leaders Call for Inclusive Ecosystems, Equal Opportunities & Social Change
- Exhibition showcases entrepreneurial talent and EDII’s commitment to PwD empowerment
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, DEC 4
The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad commemorated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Thursday by honouring outstanding Divyang entrepreneurs whose journeys reflect resilience, innovation and a relentless drive for dignity through enterprise.
The ceremony was graced by Dr. Pradyuman Ganubhai Vaja, Minister, Social Justice and Empowerment, Primary, Secondary and Adult Education, Higher and Technical Education, Gujarat, along with senior EDII leadership—Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General; Dr. Satya Ranjan Acharya, Professor & Director, Department of Entrepreneurship Education; Dr. Amit Kumar Dwivedi, Professor & Director, Department of Government Projects; and Dr. Prakash Solanki, Associate Professor.
An exhibition featuring over 20 stalls by differently abled entrepreneurs was also inaugurated on the occasion, showcasing the diversity and depth of their skills, products and enterprise capabilities.
Speaking on the need for inclusive opportunities, Dr. Pradyuman Vaja said, “Persons with disabilities must be ensured equal opportunities and rights in all aspects of life, including education, employment and healthcare. India is among developing nations, has one of the most comprehensive policy frameworks for the welfare of persons with disabilities. The Government, along with institutions like EDII, is consistently striving to support the differently abled and enable their advancement in social, economic and cultural spheres. I extend my best wishes to Dr. Shukla and his team for their committed efforts towards empowering PwDs and enriching their lives with dignity and opportunity.”
Highlighting the importance of societal transformation, Dr. Sunil Shukla noted, “As India is rising up to the need for instituting measures to create an inclusive society. New mindsets and new environment are fast in the making, yet for a 360 degree change to come around, there has to be regular and committed proactive measures that inspire society as a whole, to embrace inclusivity with a change in their perception towards the differently abled. At EDII, we are witnessing encouraging outcomes and have also developed best practices that foster a supportive and inclusive ecosystem for persons with disabilities.”
The event celebrated achievers who have excelled despite physical challenges. Kavita Modi (Ravi 555), Chetanaben Patel (Gurushakti Detergent Manufacturing) and Kalpesh Maganbhai Pandya (Sale and Repairing Electronic Products) were felicitated with citations for their entrepreneurial excellence.
EDII also released a document on the ‘Centre for Empowerment of Differently Abled (CEDA)’, highlighting successful interventions, best practices and inspiring stories that demonstrate how entrepreneurship can transform lives and communities.
