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Stepping up its commitment to disability welfare, the Maharashtra government has launched an ambitious statewide mission to provide artificial limbs and assistive devices to one lakh persons with disabilities. Initiated under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and supported by the Ratan Nidhi Foundation, the programme is being hailed as one of the largest mobility support initiatives in the state.
The multi-phase distribution campaign is supplying artificial hands, legs, calipers, Jaipur Foot, hearing aids, wheelchairs and other assistive tools-completely free of cost-across numerous districts. So far, the Ratan Nidhi Foundation has distributed 29,496 assistive devices, helping nearly 26,000 beneficiaries in Beed, Chandrapur, Jalgaon, Solapur, Palghar, Mumbai, Gadchiroli, Pune, Satara, Kolhapur, Raigad, Latur, Nanded, Yavatmal, Akola, Parbhani, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Dharashiv and Thane.
Chief Minister Fadnavis said the government is committed to building an inclusive Maharashtra where every citizen receives equal opportunities. He stressed that the initiative is not just about equipment distribution but about strengthening independence, confidence and social participation among persons with disabilities. "This campaign is about helping every individual live with dignity and fostering self-reliance," he said.
Highlighting global disability data, the Chief Minister pointed out that around 15% of the world's population lives with some form of disability, while India's figure stands at roughly 2.2%. Against this backdrop, he praised the Ratan Nidhi Foundation's Mobility Project for significantly improving rehabilitation outcomes and quality of life.
With a target of one lakh beneficiaries, the government hopes the initiative will emerge as a national model for disability support and inclusive development.
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