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Ahmedabad, Gujarat: Apang Manav Mandal, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad, organised a special Raas Garba celebration in collaboration with Om Educon Private Limited, bringing together children with disabilities, educators, media professionals and community representatives for a Navratri programme dedicated to cultural participation, inclusion and recognition of individual talent.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from Divyang children, who performed traditional Garba in colourful attire, celebrating the festival with music, dance and festive decorations. The programme aimed to provide children with an opportunity to showcase their abilities, develop confidence and participate in cultural activities in an encouraging environment.
The celebration featured Garba performances and competitions recognising participants for their traditional attire, preparations and performances. Children also contributed to decorating the institution, reflecting their creativity and enthusiasm for the festivities.
Jury Members Encourage Divyang Children
A distinguished panel of ten jury members representing education, healthcare, media, technology, vocational training and child development participated in the event, encouraging the children and recognising their performances.
The jury comprised Dr. Sonal Pandya, Director, MASCOM, Gujarat University; Prof. Dr. Roopalee Joshi, Professor, Nursing College, Civil Hospital; Palak Gandhi, AI Expert, C-TAG; Viren Vyas, Chief Sub Editor, Garavi Gujarat, a weekly publication circulated in the USA and UK; and Virendra Dube, Head of Department, ITI Kubernagar.
Other jury members included Dadhichi Thakar, Writer and Associate Editor of Achala, a Gujarati educational magazine; Devang Bhatt, Editor-in-Chief, GTPL; Jigar Devani, Senior Content Editor, NewsReach; K. C. Shah, Life Coach and Director, Grow Up Special Child Care Center; and Dr. Rajendra Upadhyay, Author and Career Counsellor.
The jury members devoted their time to evaluating performances, motivating participants and appreciating their enthusiasm. Their involvement highlighted the importance of community support in creating meaningful opportunities for children with disabilities.
The event also reflected the significance of encouraging Divyang children to participate in activities where their abilities and creativity receive recognition and appreciation.
Apang Manav Mandal Continues Tradition of Inclusive Celebrations
Speaking about the event, Brijita Kishan, CEO of Apang Manav Mandal, highlighted the institution’s longstanding efforts to ensure that children actively participate in Navratri celebrations.
“We have been organising these celebrations for several years with the collective support of our trustees, administrators, teachers and staff. The children enthusiastically participate in decorating the institution and preparing for the festivities. Their excitement can be seen in their traditional attire, performances and overall preparations. Our objective is to ensure that every child experiences the happiness and cultural spirit of Navratri,” she said.
She also acknowledged the contribution of Dr. Umesh Gurjar, who has been associated with organising competitions and encouraging children to participate in the celebrations.
Om Educon Supports Cultural Participation and Inclusion
Dr. Umesh Gurjar, associated with the initiative through Om Educon Private Limited, emphasised the importance of encouraging children with disabilities to participate in cultural programmes.
“Navratri is a festival of devotion, enthusiasm and togetherness. Through this celebration, we wanted to provide Divyang children with a platform where they could perform Garba, participate in competitions and demonstrate their abilities. Recognition through various categories encourages children to participate confidently and enjoy the festivities,” he said.
He further stressed that physical disabilities should not be viewed as barriers to cultural participation and that children should be encouraged to develop and demonstrate their individual talents.
Celebrating Abilities Beyond Disabilities
The Raas Garba celebration created an atmosphere of enthusiasm as children performed to traditional music while teachers, organisers, jury members and invited guests encouraged their participation.
The initiative highlighted the importance of making cultural and recreational activities accessible to children with disabilities. Such programmes can help build confidence, encourage social interaction and provide opportunities for children to express themselves beyond the classroom.
The presence of professionals from different fields also demonstrated how community participation can contribute to creating inclusive spaces and recognising the abilities of children with disabilities.
Organisers emphasised that the objective of the celebration extended beyond entertainment, focusing on equal participation, encouragement and social acceptance.
The event concluded with appreciation for the participating children and acknowledgement of the efforts of Apang Manav Mandal, Om Educon Private Limited, the jury members, teachers and supporting staff.
Through the collaborative initiative, the organisers sought to convey that disability should never prevent children from participating in cultural celebrations and that every child deserves an opportunity to experience the joy of festivals, demonstrate talent and receive recognition.