**Summary:**
On September 7, 2025, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, observed World Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) Day. The theme for the year was "Family: The Heart of Care." DMD is a rare and progressive disorder causing muscle weakening, primarily affecting children and impacting mobility, breathing, and heart functions.
To mark the occasion, various awareness programs were organized by the Department's National Institutes and Composite Regional Centres (CRCs) across India. Specific activities included:
* An online awareness program by the Department of Physiotherapy, Swami Vivekananda National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research (SVNIRTAR), Cuttack, focused on early detection and management of DMD.
* A webinar on the theme "Family: The Heart of Care" by the National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities (Divyangjan), Kolkata.
* A webinar by the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), New Delhi, promoting inclusion, awareness, and hope.
* An awareness program at Mahatma Gandhi University, Jaipur, organized by CRC Jaipur.
* An awareness program at Birsa Munda Community Hall, Durgabari Tea Estate, West Tripura, conducted by CRC Tripura.
* Awareness activities organized by CRC Nellore and CRC Rajnandgaon.
The objective of these programs was to disseminate knowledge about DMD, promote awareness across society, and foster support for affected families.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Social Justice Empowerment: The ministry responsible for observing World Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Day and overseeing the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
World Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Day: An annual event observed on September 7th to raise awareness about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities: A department under the Ministry of Social Justice Empowerment, Government of India, responsible for initiatives related to persons with disabilities.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A rare and progressive genetic disorder that causes gradual weakening of the muscles.
Swami Vivekananda National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research, Cuttack, Odisha: A national institute that organized an online awareness program focusing on early detection and management of DMD.
National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities Divyangjan, Kolkata, West Bengal: A national institute that organized a special webinar on the theme Family: The Heart of Care.
Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre, New Delhi: An institute that organized a webinar spreading messages of inclusion, awareness, and hope regarding DMD.
Mahatma Gandhi University, Jaipur, Rajasthan: A university where CRC Jaipur organized an awareness program on DMD.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
World Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Day
Posted On: 08 SEP 2025 4:45PM by PIB Delhi
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice &
Empowerment, Government of India, observes World Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Day every year on 7th
September. The theme for this year was “Family: The Heart of Care.”
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a rare and progressive disorder that causes gradual weakening of
the muscles. It mainly affects children and progressively impacts mobility, breathing, and heart functions.
Timely intervention, awareness, education, and social inclusion are essential to improve the quality of life of
persons affected by this condition.
On this occasion, various awareness programmes were organized by the Department’s National Institutes and
Composite Regional Centres (CRCs) across the country:
The Department of Physiotherapy, Swami Vivekananda National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and
Research (SVNIRTAR), Cuttack, organized an online awareness programme focusing on early detection and
management of DMD.National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities (Divyangjan), Kolkata, organized a
special webinar on the theme “Family: The Heart of Care.”The Indian Sign Language Research and Training
Centre (ISLRTC), New Delhi, organized a webinar spreading messages of inclusion, awareness, and hope.
The CRC Jaipur organized an awareness programme at Mahatma Gandhi University, Jaipur. CRC Tripura
conducted an awareness programme on DMD at Birsa Munda Community Hall, Durgabari Tea Estate, West
Tripura. CRC Nellore and CRC Rajnandgaon also organized awareness activities on the occasion.
All these programmes aimed at disseminating knowledge about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, promoting
awareness among different sections of society, and fostering a spirit of support and care for the affected
families.
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KV
(Release ID: 2164676)