Nagaland Parents' Association for the Disabled members attend national conference in Lucknow where Mesenipong Pongen receives Santosh Jeevani National Award 2025.
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DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Parents' Association for the Disabled (NAPAD), led by Tongpang L Jamir, vice president of PARIVAAR NCPO, and Kielie Nakhro, coordinator of NAPAD, attended the 31st National Parents Conference of PARIVAAR-NCPO at Dr. Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University, Lucknow, on November 29 and 30.
According to an update, the conference was held on the theme "Nurturing leadership for an inclusive and sustainable future".
It was organised in collaboration with PARIVAAR-NCPO, the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (Divyangjan), and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and hosted by the Uttar Pradesh Parents Organisation for the Disabled.
The inaugural session was attended by Thawar Chand Ghelot, governor of Karnataka and former union minister, as the chief guest.
Mesenipong Pongen, a specially abled young adult and son of Bendangtoshi Pongen, was awarded the Santosh Jeevani National Award 2025. The award recognised his self-advocacy for the promotion of entrepreneurship, creating employment opportunities, and fostering motivation for specially abled groups as well as others.
He received a commendation and cash award from the chief guest.
Aripong Kichu, Khaikho Sangtsoi, and Wapongmeren Longkumer of "The Special Squad", a dance group formed under the initiative of NAPAD, performed a Naga cultural dance and two Bollywood dance items during the event.