The Telangana government on Saturday, 2 December, announced that it will set up an information technology campus for persons with disabilities, claiming this will be the world's first such facility.
On the eve of World Disability Day, the government entered into an agreement with Vindhya E-Infomedia Private Limited to set up the IT campus, which will focus on creating employment opportunity for persons with disabilities.
This campus, spread over 10 acres, will come up near the Hyderabad International Airport in the IT Park developed by the government, and will have amenities like training, residential facility, and delivery centres that will cater to various domestic and international clients.
It will create jobs for 2,000 people in the next five years, said a statement from the Telangana IT Department.
Vindhya E-Infomedia, which is a pioneer in creating inclusive workspace, employs persons with disabilities as its major workforce. It currently has over 1,600 employees working out of Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Majority of their workforce comprises of physically challenged, hearing impaired, and visually impaired persons.
The company provides back office operations (BPO) support to various BFSI, telecom and e-commerce companies.
The Telangana government and Vindhya E-Infomedia look at various corporates to participate in this one-of-a-kind initiative.
Telangana Principal Secretary, IT, Jayesh Ranjan, urged persons with disabilities to make most of the opportunity created through this effort. While handing out appointment letters to the new joinees, he advised them to continue working harder and break the perception of disability being a barrier.
Vindhya E-Infomedia chairman and managing director Pavithra YS said this campus will create an immense advantage for persons with disabilities, especially those with severe disabilities, who deserve an opportunity to lead life with dignity and self-respect.
(Breathe In, Breathe Out: Are you finding it tough to breathe polluted air? Join hands with FIT in partnership with #MyRightToBreathe to find a solution to pollution. Send in your suggestions to fit@thequint.com or WhatsApp @ +919999008335).
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)