The National Awards Ceremony 2025 was held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, marking the observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
At the prestigious event, His Excellency the President of India conferred national awards on outstanding individuals and institutions contributing significantly to the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
In a proud moment for Odisha, Smt. Bratati Harichandan, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, received the national award for Best State/UT in Effective Implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Odisha was recognised for its exemplary initiatives in strengthening rights, inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
While presenting the awards, the President commended the remarkable achievements of differently-abled persons across diverse fields and urged all stakeholders to work collectively towards building a truly inclusive and barrier-free society.
The ceremony was attended by Hon’ble Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar and Union Secretary Smt. V. Vidyavati, IAS, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, who addressed the gathering and highlighted the Government of India’s continued commitment to advancing accessibility, dignity and equal opportunities for all.
