Regional Abilympics event showcases disabilities’ special talent and skills

Mumbai: A Regional Abilympics event was organised at the World Trade Centre on Friday. More than 450 people with disabilities showcase their special talent with test skills like computer programming, floral arrangement, beauty therapy, tailoring, etc. Ankita Arvikar, intellectually disabled and another 22-year-old participant at the event, was feeling evolved after having tried her skills in floral arrangements competition. Her mother Anjali Arvikar shared, “Ankita has been creating handmade glycerine soap bouquets since some time and now after having prepared for the Abilympics in floral arrangements, we wish to pursue her career looking at the profits it might generate in the long run, making her self-sufficient.” The Abilympics is a skill-based competition which provides a platform for the differently-abled which is organised every year.

Participants get a chance to display skills at everything from computer programming to floral arrangement. The event hosted by the National Abilympics Association of India (NAAI), under the aegis of Sarthak Educational Trust with the support of The Hans Foundation, witnessed the participation of over 450+ people with disabilities (PwDs). Anjali Arvikar, intellectually disabled shared her experience saying, “I am feeling very proud that I am going to be part of this big event, I have been making handmade glycerine soap bouquets for the last few months and here I am a part of floral arrangements. I want to make a career out of it." Dr Jitendra Agrawal, founder and CEO of Sarthak Educational Trust, said, as per the census data 63.66 per cent of the disabled population is not working compared to 60.21 per cent of the able-bodied. But those working in the field say that employability figures are likely very poor on account of limited resources and difficulties in providing them with skills which could lead to employability.

- Amit Pareek