Union Minister Virendra Kumar inaugurates CDEIC in Noida; Parents are a child’s first therapists.
Photo Credit: PIB
New Delhi, January 23, 2026: Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, on Friday inaugurated the Cross Disability Early Intervention Centre (CDEIC) at the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID), Regional Centre, Sector-40, Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
Emphasizing the critical role of families, the Minister stated that “parents are the first and most powerful therapists in a child’s life, and when empowered with the right knowledge and support, no child with developmental delay will ever be left behind.”
Highlighting the Government of India’s unwavering commitment to inclusive development, Dr. Virendra Kumar underscored that early childhood intervention is not merely a service but a national responsibility, essential for securing the future of every child.
Virendra Kumar noted that the first six years of life are decisive for brain development and have a lasting impact on health, learning, and social participation.
Describing early intervention as transformative, the Minister said that centres like CDEIC represent the Government’s resolve to reach children at the earliest stage with timely, scientific, and compassionate support.
Virendra Kumar emphasized the central role of families:
Virendra Kumar directed that the Noida CDEIC be developed as a model centre of excellence, stressing that quality must go beyond infrastructure and aesthetics to include advanced technology, skilled professionals, and evidence-based practices.
Virendra Kumar further emphasized the central role of families in successful early intervention and instructed the centre to organize regular, structured caregiver training programs with proper certification, enabling parents and caregivers to become equal partners in their child’s developmental journey.
Outlining his broader vision, the Minister said that with coordinated efforts from professionals, institutions, and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), CDEICs must emerge as centres of hope, trust, and innovation.
Virendra Kumar reaffirmed that the Ministry will continue strengthening early intervention services to ensure that children with developmental delays and disabilities can achieve their fullest potential and participate meaningfully in society.
Expansion of CDEICs nationwide:
Speaking on the occasion, Manmeet Kaur Nanda, Additional Secretary, DEPwD, highlighted the steady expansion of Cross disability Early Intervention Centres across the country.
She informed that the Noida centre is the 28th CDEIC established under the Department, reflecting the Ministry’s focused and sustained approach towards early identification and intervention.
She encouraged the NIEPID team to deliver child-centric and family-oriented services, assuring continued departmental support for strengthening these centres nationwide.
The newly inaugurated CDEIC at Noida is designed to provide holistic, multi-disciplinary services for children with developmental delays and special needs. Services include Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech therapy, special education, Family counseling, and school-readiness interventions, offering comprehensive care under one roof.
Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the centre is expected to serve a large population of children in the critical 0-6 years age group from Noida and surrounding regions.
Cultural program and community engagement:
During the visit, the Minister and other dignitaries toured the CDEIC facilities, the Model Special Education Centre, the Model Inclusive Primary School, and the NIEPID regional centre. They also inspected the mobile Therapy Bus and PMDK facilities.
The program featured a vibrant cultural presentation by Children with special needs, distribution of NIEPID DISHA curriculum materials, and the provision of assistive aids, appliances, and teaching-learning materials to beneficiaries.
The event concluded with a tree plantation drive led by the Union Minister and the Additional Secretary, symbolizing growth, sustainability, and a shared commitment to nurturing every child’s potential through timely care and collective responsibility.
EOM.
