A new discussion series was launched by PUNARBASA, an organization that has been working for the past decade in Kendrapara district for therapy services, awareness, and the empowerment of persons with disabilities. The series has been titled “Dialogue on Disability.”

In the first session, held at the PUNARBASA auditorium, Dr. Debendra Kumar Das, Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Alaska University, USA, joined as the guest speaker and delivered a lecture on the topic “The Role of Technology in Building a Barrier-Free Community.”

During his address, he spoke about disability rights, inclusive living, and the importance of a supportive social approach towards persons with disabilities. He explained how assistive technologies and special support systems help in nurturing the inherent talents and skills of differently-abled persons and enable society to understand disability from different perspectives.

A question-and-answer session was later conducted under the moderation of PUNARBASA founder Biraja Routray. Kendrapara Social Security Officer Sudeepa Mohapatra, District Social Security Officer Amsar Mandal, Social Security Officer Sudhansu Shekhar Behura, Khirod Kar, teacher Nrusingh Charan Tripathi, Pujaku Shiksha Yatri Shivani Priyadarshini Bhola, and Rajendra Mohapatra raised various questions related to disability issues and accessibility.

At the beginning of the programme, PUNARBASA Assistant Secretary Bansidhar Mohanty welcomed Professor Debendra Kumar Das with flowers and a garland.

The programme was attended by several distinguished members of the local community, including retired administrators Jagmohan Hota and Bandramani Malik; headmaster Swapnashu Kumar Das; Banchhanidhi Das; Bhuban Mohan Daya, head of the Shrimati Devi Charitable Trust; Block Resource Teacher Shridhar Bhola; herbal practitioner Narendra Kumar Sahu; and professionals engaged in therapy services for persons with disabilities.

The programme was coordinated by members of the organization, including Zahid Khan, Sanjib Kumar Jena, and Dharanidhar Sethi.