Hoshiarpur (Daljit Ajnoha):- The Punjab State Special Olympics-2026, being held from 13 to 15 November 2026 at Guru Nanak Public School, Sarabha Nagar, Ludhiana, was inaugurated by Dr Mallika Nadda, President of Special Olympics Bharat and wife of Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, as the chief guest.
On this occasion, she specially honoured international athletes Sagar and Amandeep Kaur from Atamsukh Atamdev Ashram (For Living Gods), Purani Kanak Mandi, Hoshiarpur, for their outstanding international sporting achievements. It is worth mentioning that Sagar won a silver medal at the Unified Football World Cup-2026 held in Paris, while Amandeep Kaur represented India at the FIH Para Hockey World Cup-2026 held in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The office-bearers of Punjab State Special Olympics gave both athletes a special honour by arranging for them to ride in a decorated horse-drawn carriage. A grand procession was taken through the prominent roads of Ludhiana. Special athletes, students and office-bearers of the Special Olympics Association from various districts of Punjab participated in the procession. This honour is a matter of pride for the entire Hoshiarpur region.
Ashram President Navdeep Sood said that under Section 25(1)(c) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, passed by Parliament, persons with disabilities have a legal right to receive medical services and treatment on a priority basis in hospitals. Despite nearly 10 years having passed, this legal provision has not been effectively implemented across the country.
On this occasion, Atamsukh Atamdev Ashram also submitted a memorandum to Dr Mallika Nadda, requesting her to pursue the matter effectively with the Union Health Ministry and extend support for the practical implementation across the country of the guidelines issued through Ministry letter No. F. No. A-14020/23/2026, dated 05-10-2026.
Dr Mallika Nadda's active initiative could play an important role in ensuring the practical implementation of this legal provision in government and private hospitals across the country and securing the legal rights of crores of persons with disabilities.
