Posted On:
05 NOV 2026 10:17PM by PIB Delhi
The Orthotics & Prosthetics Association of India (OPAI), celebrated International Prosthetist and Orthotist Day (IPOD) 2026 at the National Rail Museum, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. The event brought together senior government officials, policymakers, healthcare professionals, academicians, start-ups and established organizations to discuss the future of rehabilitation, assistive technology and disability inclusion.
The programme focused on ALIMCO's institutional transformation, Department's Purple Dot Initiative, IIT's contribution to engineering innovation, government schemes, professional recognition and employment opportunities in India and abroad.
Shri Praveen Kumar, CMD , ALIMCO highlighted the importance of collaboration and effective implementation of government initiatives to strengthen India's rehabilitation ecosystem. He also emphasised indigenous manufacturing and affordable assistive technology, stating, “The future of rehabilitation lies in combining technological innovation with affordability and accessibility, ensuring that advanced assistive solutions reach those who need them the most.”
Shri Ashish Thakare, IAS, Member Secretary, RCI, highlighted the Purple Dot Initiative and the importance of professional recognition, quality education, training and standards in rehabilitation services. Dr. M.C. Das, National President, OPAI, emphasised that greater awareness and outreach are essential to ensure that persons with disabilities benefit from various government schemes and welfare programmes.
Shri Rajesh Das, President, OPAI Delhi Chapter, highlighted the role of the railway sector in accessible and inclusive mobility and stressed the need for stronger domestic and international recruitment policies to expand career opportunities for qualified prosthetists and orthotists.
Shri Shambhu Kumar Yadav, Vice President, OPAI Delhi Chapter, emphasised that emerging technologies must move beyond laboratories and reach persons with disabilities at the grassroots level through affordable and accessible solutions.
Dr. Agendra Kumar, Organising Secretary, IPOD 2026 and Secretary, OPAI Delhi Chapter, called for stronger coordination between professionals, government, healthcare institutions and beneficiaries, stating, “Our objective must go beyond providing artificial limbs and assistive devices; it must be about restoring mobility, rebuilding confidence, promoting independence and enabling every individual to live with dignity.”
Shri Munish Kumar, Founder & CEO EXOBOT dynamics private limited emphasized on how the indian bionics are outperforming the global assistive techs. The same company has distributed gripX myo hands to 10 beneficiaries under sponsorship programs.Instalimb also launched a 3D scanning Mobile App during the program.
The event also witnessed participation from several start-ups and established companies showcasing innovations in assistive technology and rehabilitation. Discussions covered job fairs and live interviews, entrepreneurship and incubation, international career opportunities, government-industry collaboration and advanced technologies, including bionic prosthetics, microprocessor-controlled systems, 3D printing, robotics, artificial intelligence and smart rehabilitation solutions.
IPOD 2026 reinforced the importance of recognising Prosthetics and Orthotics as an integral component of India’s healthcare and rehabilitation ecosystem. The event highlighted the need to strengthen the sector through innovation, capacity building, professional development, affordable and accessible technologies, and expanded opportunities for inclusive employment. The key message emerging from the deliberations was that mobility is a right, rehabilitation is a necessity, and inclusion is a collective responsibility.
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