Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Kohima: Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav wants disability services moved out of state and district headquarters. He spoke at the 100th Regional Parents Meet 2026, hosted by the Nagaland Parents Association for the Disabled. He told the crowd that care must shift from simple family support toward true independence.
Yadav argued that people with disabilities deserve the same rights as everyone else. They need equal access to jobs, public buildings, digital platforms, and schools. He demanded coordinated work between the government, local communities, employers, and health workers to make this happen. "Disability care must move beyond family support towards greater independence and participation," Yadav said.
The state's rugged terrain complicates access to care. Scattered settlements make decentralization a top priority. The governor wants health workers and Anganwadi centres to push for earlier identification of disabilities. He also advocated for tele-consultation and modern technology to deliver rehabilitation and assistive devices to rural areas.
Society must stop offering pity, he added. True empowerment comes from respect and the chance to participate in decisions that affect them. The 100th regional meet featured input from the State Commission for Persons with Disabilities, PARIVAAR-NCPO, and Maulana Azad National Urdu University. The event operated under the theme: From Care to Empowerment: Building Inclusive Communities through Strong Families and Collective Action.
Updated at 2nd October 2026 at 5:46am
The event took place at RCEMPA Hall in Jotsoma on October 1. Governor Yadav noted that the National Education Policy 2020 provides a vital framework for these goals, and the challenge lies in shifting those principles into hard action on the ground. He mapped out a transition from education to skill development, then into jobs and economic independence. He explicitly challenged the private sector to step up, urging companies to hire and train workers based on their performance and actual ability.
Yadav argued that universal accessibility shouldn't be treated as a special favor for a few, but as a basic requirement for a functional society. He also demanded that individuals with disabilities have a seat at the table, stating that no policy or program regarding their lives should be finalized without their active input. Speakers at the meet, including State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Tongpang L. Jamir and PARIVAAR-NCPO National President Pankaj Maru, highlighted the necessity of a four-way partnership between disabled persons, parents, professionals, and policymakers to get the job done.
Updated at 2nd October 2026 at 2:00pm
The governor emphasized that family care is only the starting point. He challenged society to stop asking what can be done for these individuals and start focusing on what opportunities can be built so they can realize their full potential. He stated that parents are the first to recognize a child's abilities, making their role vital in this long-term journey.
Yadav praised the dedicated work of the organizations involved, specifically noting the efforts of the PARIVAAR-National Confederation of Parents' Organizations and Maulana Azad National Urdu University in Hyderabad. He also gave a shout-out to local leaders for the event's logistics, including NAPAD President Kapachu-o Naleo, Executive Member Kevirhebi Mor, and compere Renbeni Odyuo, while mentioning the invocation by Associate Pastor Zajamo Odyuo.
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