PUNARBASA, which has been working for over a decade towards therapy services and the development and empowerment of persons with disabilities in Kendrapara district, has submitted a demand letter to the President of Kendrapara College seeking accessibility facilities for the college conference hall.

It is worth mentioning that although Kendrapara College is one of the oldest and most prestigious colleges in Kendrapara district as well as in the state, its conference hall is still not accessible to persons with disabilities. As a result, students with severe disabilities are being deprived of participation in various departmental, regional, and national seminars, lectures, and academic programmes conducted in the hall.

This situation is a violation of the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 as well as the constitutional provisions relating to equality and accessibility. Since Kendrapara College is the largest college in the district, around 40 students with disabilities from Kendrapara and neighbouring districts are currently pursuing their studies there.

Keeping in view the educational interests and rights of these students, a delegation comprising Chief Rehabilitation Officer Biraja Routray, Assistant Secretary Bansidhar Mohanty, and advocate Jyotiranjan Nayak submitted the demand letter to the President of the college, Professor Shantanu Jena, requesting immediate steps for making the conference hall accessible for all students.