Panjim, Goa | August 21, 2025: In a landmark step toward inclusive governance and accessible law enforcement, the Goa Police, in partnership with the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) and the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, successfully concluded its first-ever four-day sensitisation and awareness training on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
Organised from August 18 to 21 in Panjim, under the theme “Inclusive Policing for a Barrier-Free Goa,” the initiative was a collaborative effort that included iProbono India as knowledge partners. The program aimed to equip police officers with the necessary legal and interpersonal tools to support persons with disabilities in a dignified, lawful, and empathetic manner.
The program trained over 650 police personnel from the State Police Control Room, Traffic Police, and Pink Force. The sessions were interactive and practical, covering areas such as:
- Legal rights under the RPwD Act
- Communication strategies with persons with disabilities
- Real-life disability narratives
- Accessibility challenges and systemic solutions
Speaking at the valedictory session, Smt. Varsha Sharma, IPS, Deputy Inspector General of Police, expressed heartfelt admiration:
“This training touched me deeply. We are all equal—we live in the same society. It is our duty to support persons with disabilities, even in our busiest schedules.”
DySP Roy Pereira extended gratitude on behalf of the Police Control Room and awarded mementos to trainers and partner departments.
Senior officers including SP Pramod Shirvoikar and Dr. Mriselda Montero, Deputy Director, DEPwD, added powerful personal insights and institutional perspectives. Shirvoikar emotionally shared the journey of a visually impaired relative, emphasizing that persons with disabilities often achieve more when given the right support and dignity.
Mr. Taha Haaziq, Secretary to the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, highlighted that Goa is the first state in India to publish a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for police engagement with persons with disabilities—marking it as a national leader in inclusive policing.
Key Resource Persons Included:
- Adv. Kaurvaki Mohanty, iProbono India
- Mr. Vishant Nagvekar and Mr. Mahadev D. Sawant, Advisory Members
- Adv. Amla Shejwadkar, Legal expert
- Mr. Prasad Joshi, Deaf Association of Goa
- Ms. Zehra Naqvi and Ms. Jamila Haaziq, Office of the State Commissioner
- Ms. Josephine Fernandes, Sign Language Interpreter
The success of this initiative has set the stage for further expansion, with calls to replicate the training at taluka-level police stations across Goa. As expressed by multiple officials, this training isn’t just timely—it’s necessary. With over 5% of Goa’s population living with disabilities, this training supports a more inclusive, just, and empathetic Goa.
Goa has positioned itself not only as a tourism leader but also as a pioneer in inclusive governance and law enforcement.
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