Kumaraswamy Pushes for Disability Inclusion in Mandya CSR Drive

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy challenged the traditional approach to disability advocacy on Saturday, arguing that systemic empowerment and equal access serve the community better than mere compassion. During a visit to Mandya, he oversaw the distribution of assistive equipment and the launch of new educational infrastructure backed by corporate funding.

Editorial·August 29, 2026·reads: 2,478

Kumaraswamy Pushes for Disability Inclusion in Mandya CSR Drive

Addressing an audience at Ambedkar Bhavan, Kumaraswamy emphasized that the government must move beyond charitable gestures. He highlighted his past tenure as Chief Minister, noting he had established direct channels for disabled citizens to voice concerns at the Vidhana Soudha. At this event, 299 beneficiaries received battery-operated tricycles, artificial limbs, and hearing aids provided by the Steel Authority of India Limited and the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India. The equipment package was valued at approximately Rs 50 lakh.

The minister’s itinerary focused on leveraging Rs 2.15 crore in total CSR contributions to bolster local services. In addition to the assistive devices, he inaugurated a digital assessment facility at the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences, funded by a Rs 1 crore grant from Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited. Educational infrastructure also saw significant investment, with the inauguration of new classrooms at a government school in Halalli and a foundation stone ceremony at a former Municipal College, both supported by ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel. Kumaraswamy credited the focus on school facilities to the current central administration's priority on educational development.