The Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Traditional Medicine (ICMR-NITM) organized a two-day specialized hands-on training on accessibility standards in Belagavi on Thursday.
The training programme, was designed for Nodal Officers, Engineers, Administrative Officers and Accounts Officers from all ICMR institutes across India, aims to build institutional capacity to implement universal accessibility and inclusive design in research and administrative infrastructure.
Experts from IIT Roorkee, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Quality Council of India (QCI), IGNOU, NCPEDP, Planet Abled and Youth4Jobs will lead technical sessions and interactive demonstrations focusing on accessibility codes, universal design principles and best practices for inclusive infrastructure.
Gaurav Raheja, Professor from IIT Roorkee delivered a special address. He spoke about the importance and shared responsibility of making “accessibility for all” a societal mission. He emphasized that accessibility must be embedded in design thinking, education and public policy to ensure that infrastructure truly serves diverse human needs. Prof. Raheja emphasized that accessibility is not just a requirement for compliance, but a reflection of empathy, innovation and institutional responsibility.
Gangadhar KN Additional District and Sessions Judge, emphasized the need for fair and barrier-free infrastructure to ensure dignity and inclusion for all citizens.
Jagdish Rajesh, Deputy Director General (Admin), ICMR, highlighted ICMR’s commitment to fostering accessible and inclusive environments in its research institutions.
Subarna Roy, Director, ICMR–NITM, reiterated the institute’s strong commitment to inclusive accessibility and its proactive role in developing infrastructure that supports equitable participation for all. He highlighted that ICMR-NITM’s continued efforts to promote a barrier-free and inclusive environment have earned it national recognition for integrating accessibility principles into institutional planning, research and community engagement.
“This initiative reflects ICMR’s continued commitment to promote inclusion, accessibility and sustainable design in its facilities, in line with the national vision of ‘Accessibility for All,'” he said.
“ICMR–NITM continues to spearhead ICMR’s research efforts in traditional medicine and integrative health, working closely with state health authorities and medical colleges across Karnataka. The institute has made significant contributions to identifying and addressing regional public health issues while advancing evidence-based research in traditional medicine,” said Dr. Roy according to the report.
Published – 01 Nov 2025 21:03 IST
