Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) cum Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD), graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Shri S. Govindaraj, Commissioner, was the Guest of Honour. The panelists included Dr. S. Sivasubramaniam, Senior Scientist; Dr. Shivkumar, Leprosy Expert; Ms. Nikita Sarah, Head of Advocacy and Communication at The Leprosy Mission Trust India; and Dr. P. Narasimha Rao, President of the International Leprosy Association. The programme commenced with a prayer sung in Marathi by Madhav Sable, which was later translated into English by Shri. Praveen Prakash Ambastha, the Dy. CCPD. Shri. Vikas Trivedi, Dy. CCPD, welcomed the panelists and the participants in the seminar, while Dr. Govindaraj gave the inaugural address.
Shri Rajesh Aggarwal shared his experience from three decades ago, as a young officer visiting a leprosy colony in Jalgaon, Maharashtra. He said that untouchability due to leprosy is worse than caste based discrimination, as in the former even one’s own family members keep a distance from the affected individual. He emphasized the importance of legal reforms and the need for vigilance to ensure early detection of cases. He further stressed the significance of rehabilitation measures after treatment.
Shri S. Govindaraj underscored the necessity of collective efforts to break the stigma and discrimination associated with leprosy. He pointed out that there are still 750 leprosy colonies in India that remain isolated from mainstream society. He also addressed the legal challenges faced by individuals affected by the disease and called for comprehensive solutions.
Dr. S. Sivasubramaniam presented an overview of leprosy and revealed that India accounts for 53% of the global leprosy cases. He highlighted the importance of community-based rehabilitation to eliminate discrimination and support the affected individuals.
Dr. Shivkumar discussed the current trends in leprosy, emphasizing that it is one of the least infectious diseases. He pointed out that out of more than 700 districts in India, 125 districts still report a significant number of cases. He mentioned that these districts are spread across 14 States, with Chhattisgarh having the highest number at 24 districts. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India aims to achieve zero indigenous cases by 2030.
Ms. Nikita Sarah shared her experiences of helping victims reintegrate into society. She stated that ignorance is the biggest challenge in combating leprosy. She emphasized that leprosy is one of the easiest diseases to cure if detected in time and clarified that it is not a deformity or disability. She stressed that the stigma surrounding leprosy arises due to a lack of awareness.
Dr. P. Narasimha Rao elaborated on the medical aspects and challenges in leprosy elimination. He described the disease as biologically unique and noted that while it is rare in most parts of the world, it remains a concern in countries such as Brazil, India, and Indonesia.
Ms. Shabnam khan who is a trailblazer in battling Leprosy, shared her journey which is a testament to resilience. Despite battling leprosy and societal rejection, she defied odds to become her family’s first graduate and pursue an independent life.
The seminar concluded with a call for greater awareness, early detection, and comprehensive rehabilitation efforts to eradicate leprosy and support those affected by it.
Source (PIB)
 organized a virtual seminar on the occasion of World Leprosy Day. The event was attended by various Government officials, NGOs, and specialists in the sector.){kind=link}