Sri Vijay Puram, April 30:
In a landmark move toward inclusive employment, the Composite Regional Centre (CRC) for Skill Development, Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has announced a first-of-its-kind job fair for Divyangjan (Persons with Disabilities).
The initiative, in collaboration with the Directorate of Social Welfare, Directorate of Employment & Training, and several stakeholders, seeks to bridge the employment gap by connecting skilled Divyangjan with prospective employers across the Islands.
The event aligns with national initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalata Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana, which aims to enhance the livelihood capacities of marginalized communities, including Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBDs). The CRC, under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, has been conducting skill development training under this and other central schemes.
According to CRC officials, the fair is open to government departments, public sector undertakings, private enterprises, hospitality firms, hospitals, banks, and MSMEs across the Islands. Employers have been invited to register and attend a pre-event coordination meeting on May 8 at CRC A&N, Brookshabad, to finalize logistics and job categories.
“This is an effort not just at inclusion, but empowerment. We aim to ensure that skilled Divyangjan get a platform where they are judged by their potential, not by their disabilities,” said a senior official from CRC.
The job fair also aims to support the 4% reservation mandate for PwBDs in government jobs. CRC has requested HR professionals and recruiters to come forward to create opportunities and set examples in inclusive hiring practices.
Besides employment, the event will showcase vocational courses, offer counselling sessions, and connect participants to support systems like financial literacy training and assistive devices.
For many PwBDs in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, where opportunities are often limited due to geographic constraints, this job fair offers a chance to build sustainable careers, gain confidence, and contribute meaningfully to society.
