South Zone Regional Abilympics 2024 flags Off in Bengaluru celebrating Abilities and Inclusion
The South Zone Regional Abilympics 2024 kicked off today at St. Joseph’s University, Bengaluru, marking the start of a transformative two-day event. Organized by the National Abilympic Association of India (NAAI), Abilympics is a platform to showcase the incredible vocational skills of the differently-abled community across South India. With over 100 participants competing in 15 vocational categories, the event was a celebration of resilience, talent, and the drive for inclusion. With PwDs forming over 5% of India’s population, fostering their skills can have a transformative impact on both society and the economy. The 2-day event is set to be a pivotal moment in advancing the agenda of inclusion in India’s workforce on October 17-18, 2024 and is supported by DePwD, GOI, Tata Power Community Development Trust (TPCDT), St. Joseph University, APCA and ATDC.
Known as the Olympics of Abilities, the Abilympics serves as a global platform for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to demonstrate their vocational skills and showcase their ability to compete on both national and international levels. The event also spotlighted the larger issue of employment opportunities, with skill development programs like these opening doors to various sectors, including IT, hospitality, manufacturing, and creative fields.
Smt. Geetanjali Kirloskar, Philanthropist & CEO Toyota Insurance was the Chief Guest for the event. Other dignitaries present at the event were Rev Dr. Victor Lobo SJ, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, St. Joseph’s University, Bengaluru, Shri Anand Nayak, Independent Director, ITC Ltd, Director Disability Raghavendra T and Dr. Jitender Aggarwal, Secretary General NAAI & Founder CEO Sarthak Educational Trust.
Smt. Geetanjali Kirloskar shared “I am confident that skill competitions will ensure participation and selection of best talent participating from different southern states – Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and I wish all the participants great success not only for these competitions but for their future. Persons with disabilities dare to overcome their inherent human disabilities. The Abilympics initiative is celebrating a special class of these overcomers and I call them rare souls of super abilities. I am grateful to be a part of this remarkable celebration of diversity and inclusion”
Dr. Jitender Aggarwal, Secretary General (NAAI) & Founder CEO Sarthak Educational Trust, while speaking at the event, emphasized that the Abilympics is not just about competition but creating pathways to employment for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). “Today is the beginning of an incredible journey, one that celebrates the unique abilities of the differently-abled community and opens the door to new opportunities for employment and empowerment. The first day saw competitive displays of talent across ICT, Crafts, and Food Service categories, with participants demonstrating their abilities and pushing boundaries. The winners of these regional competitions will represent India at the 11th International Abilympics in Finland in 2027”
On the sidelines of the competition, an enriching conference titled ‘Empowerment Through Giving: Celebrating Inclusion, Opportunity, and the Joy of Giving’ set the tone for how Indian businesses and startups can accelerate the inclusion of differently-abled individuals in the mainstream workforce. Industry leaders stressed that inclusion should no longer be considered an act of corporate social responsibility but a business imperative.
Sanjay Kumar Das, Area Director – Operations (South) of Lemon Tree Hotels, shared the hotel chain’s success in creating a workplace that integrates differently-abled staff: “Our approach has been to provide every team member with the tools they need to communicate and collaborate—like sign language training—so that inclusion is not just a policy, but a part of our daily operations”. Reliance Retail echoed the sentiment, explaining their ‘Parichay’ program which upskills employees to better support and work alongside differently-abled colleagues.
Corporate leaders discussed how their CSR programs have catalyzed change, improved lives, and promoted a culture of giving that goes beyond donations to creating sustainable opportunities for PwDs. As the event continues tomorrow, the focus will be on creating long-term partnerships between participants and employers, driving a movement that reshapes the employment landscape for PwDs in India.
India had previously created history at the 10th International Abilympics in Metz, France, in 2023, by securing seven medals with a small 13-member team. As NAAI now prepares for the 11th International Abilympics (2027) in Finland, the South Zone Regional Abilympics in Bangalore marked a crucial step in India’s journey toward international recognition and pride.
For more information, please visit www.abilympicsindia.org