Celebrating Talent: 16 Medals Awarded at East Zone Regional Abilympics 2024 in Jamshedpur
The East Zone Regional Abilympics 2024, organized by the National Abilympic Association of India (NAAI), concluded with resounding success on October 4, 2024, in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Hosted at the Tata Steel Technical Institute, this event highlighted the exceptional vocational talents of 100 Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) from Eastern India, with participants hailing from West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Odisha. Competitions spanned 15 categories, covering Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Crafts, Food, and Services.
The competition was both fierce and inspiring, with 16 talented individuals earning top honors—4 Gold, 5 Silver, and 7 Bronze medals. Below are some key highlights:
ICT Category:
- Word Processing: Chinmay Mandal from West Bengal secured the Gold medal.
- Silver Medal: Jyotirmayee Pradhan from Odisha.
- Photography: Paras Mani Mandal took Gold.
- Data Processing: Mukesh Kumar from Bihar earned Silver.
Crafts Category:
- Painting: Shubhra Sinha from Bihar, who is hearing impaired, won Silver.
- Bronze medals were awarded to Vicky Sharma from Jharkhand in Painting and Rinki Kumari from Bihar in Embroidery.
Hospitality & Restaurant Services:
- Nityanand from Odisha, also hearing impaired, earned Bronze, competing among 25 participants.
Tailoring & Dress Making:
- Tailoring: Shamim Alam from Bihar claimed Gold, while Vinod Kumar from Bihar took Silver.
- Dress Making: Gulafshan Bano from Jamshedpur earned Gold, followed by Yasin Ansari from Bihar with Silver and Kunti Kumar from Jamshedpur with Bronze.
Dr. Jitender Aggarwal, Secretary General of NAAI and Founder & CEO of Sarthak Educational Trust, praised the participants, stating, “The Abilympics exemplify the tremendous skill and resilience of PwDs in Eastern India. Their achievements are a powerful testament to their capability and readiness to be integrated into the workforce. Events like these break down barriers and emphasize the importance of vocational training for an inclusive workforce.”
The event was inaugurated by Shri Banna Gupta, Jharkhand’s Health Minister, and supported by key partners, including Tata Power, Tata Steel Foundation, IHCL, and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. These partnerships underscore the pivotal role of vocational training in empowering PwDs and enabling them to lead dignified, self-reliant lives.
This regional event builds on India’s recent success at the 10th International Abilympics in Metz, France, where the Indian team won seven medals. The East Zone Abilympics is part of the broader preparation for the 11th International Abilympics, scheduled to take place in Finland in 2027.
By participating in such events, PwDs are acquiring vital skills in ICT, hospitality, retail, and crafts, preparing them for meaningful employment and greater independence. For more information on NAAI and upcoming events, visit www.abilympicsindia.org.
About NAAI:
Founded in 2001, the National Abilympic Association of India (NAAI) supports India’s participation in international skills competitions for PwDs. Backed by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and the Ministry of Human Resource Development, NAAI aims to empower PwDs through vocational skill development and strives to create an inclusive society where everyone can succeed in the workforce.