Panjab University hosts MANTHAN dialogue on skill development and empowerment of PwBDs

Chandigarh, September 24, 2026: The Equal Opportunity Cell for Persons with Disabilities (EOC-PwDs) and DST-Technology Enabling Centre (DST-TEC), Panjab University, in collaboration with Chandigarh Institute for Transformation (CIT), NITI Aayog and Chandigarh Administration, organised “MANTHAN”, a stakeholder dialogue on skill development, employment and sustainable livelihood opportunities for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBDs), at Panjab University.
The dialogue focused on identifying practical pathways to help PwBDs develop suitable skills, access employment and entrepreneurship opportunities and achieve sustainable livelihoods with dignity, confidence and independence.
The discussions highlighted the need to identify individual abilities, interests and existing skills of PwBDs and connect them with appropriate vocational training, career counselling, employment, self-employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. Potential areas of collaboration identified during the interaction included skill mapping, vocational training, industry linkages, financial support, placement and post-placement assistance.
Prof. Ramesh Kataria, Coordinator-cum-Nodal Officer, EOC-PwDs, highlighted the role of Panjab University in bringing together institutions and experts to develop practical and sustainable pathways for the empowerment of PwBDs.
Prof. Manu Sharma, Honorary Director, DST-TEC, emphasised the potential of technology, innovation and appropriate skill development in creating new livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities.
M. S. Kang, Social Safety and Protection Expert, CIT, Chandigarh Administration, highlighted the administration’s efforts towards disability welfare and stressed the need to complement welfare support with skill development, employment and sustainable income opportunities.
The programme was attended by Prof. Ramesh Kataria, Prof. Manu Sharma, M. S. Kang and Dr Anju Goyal, Associate Professor, Department of Statistics, along with experts and stakeholders working in the field of disability inclusion.
The stakeholder interaction provided a platform for discussing collaborative interventions aimed at strengthening the economic independence, social inclusion and dignity of PwBDs.