ITANAGAR, 1 Aug: Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Friday announced enhanced financial support for the Donyi-Polo Mission School for the Hearing and Visually Impaired [DPMSHVI).
Mein announced that the school’s annual grant-in-aid will be increased from Rs 1.4 crore to Rs 2 crore. In addition, Rs 5 crore corpus fund will be allocated to the school to ensure its long-term sustainability.
Mein said that he would incorporate both the commitments in the upcoming annual state budget for the next financial year.
The announcement was made during a workshop organised by Let’s Speak Arunachal on the theme ‘Empowering youth voices and building pathways’, hosted by the school.
The initiative aims at nurturing leadership and amplifying the voices of differently-abled youths through public speaking and civic engagement.
Established in 1990, the school has been a pioneer in providing free education, therapy, and skill development to children with hearing, visual, and intellectual disabilities.
Mein said that former chief minister Gegong Apang, the founder of the school, “established the institute with a noble cause to empower hearing and visually impaired, as well as intellectually disabled children.”
He said that “this institution has been a beacon of hope for many students who have been marginalized due to their disabilities,” adding that subsequent governments in the state have been supporting this institution, and that “our government will continue to support it.”
Recognizing the creativity of the students, the DCM also directed his office to procure gift paper bags crafted by the school’s students from recycled waste papers, as a gesture of encouragement for their vocational skills and self-reliance.
Attending the inaugural workshop, Mein emphasized the importance of effective communication, terming it the key to success.
“It is essential to equip our young minds with the skills they need to express themselves confidently and articulately,” he said.
Mein lauded the founder and organizer of Let’s Speak Arunachal, Porsum Ori, and secretary Tana Jiri for reaching out to students by travelling to various schools across the state and conducting workshops.
Sports & Youth Affairs Secretary Abu Tayeng, Youth Affairs Director Ramesh Linggi, and DPMSHVI Principal Aravinda Dey, along with faculty members, parents, and students were present at the event. (DCM’s PR Cell)
