The East Zone Regional Abilympics 2024, a celebration of vocational skills and talents among the disabled persons, held in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Organized by the National Abilympic Association of India (NAAI), the event was held at Tata Steel Technical Institute, Burma Mines and was attended by participants from seven states of Eastern India: Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. The said prestigious competition set a platform for shining the spotlight on peoples’ with disabilities’ incredible abilities and also fostered inclusion, determination, and empowerment.
Launched by Honorable Shri Banna Gupta
The Honorable Health Minister of Jharkhand, Shri Banna Gupta, inaugurated this event and delivered a motivational message to the participants. He motivated for creating the platform of Abilympics for everyone to show that PwDs have talents and can enhance their vocational skills in various competitions. The Abilympics is more than just a competition; it is the celebration of courage, resilience, and exceptional abilities of people who will not let their disabilities define them. Such events are beacons that tell us all that individuals possess potential without bounds, beyond their physical limitations,” said Shri Gupta. While elaborating on the state government’s commitment towards vocational training and inclusion for PwDs, he further said that these initiatives are a first step towards a more equitable society.
A Coveted Lineup of Leaders
Besides Shri Banna Gupta, the event was addressed by other great dignitaries and leaders from diverse fields.
Shri Krishan Kalra, President of NAAI, presented the welcome address as he thanked local authorities, corporate partners, and other partners at large for their overwhelming support. He added, “The Abilympics is a transformative event because it reveals not only the incredible talents of PwDs but also challenges the societal perception of disability.”. Our mission is to provide skills and opportunities to any person with a disability for independent and dignified living. Present on the day were Shri Jagmit Singh Sidhu, Chief Operating Officer at Tata Power, Jamshedpur and Chief Executive Officer of IEL; Captain Amitabh, Tata Steel Foundation Skill Development; and Shri Basudev Hansda, Tata Power CEO, Jojobera Plant, who could elucidate on the crucial role public-private partnerships are playing in fostering progress for the cause of disability inclusion through vocational training.
A Platform for Empowerment and Skill Development
Diverse vocational skills competitions made the East Zone Regional Abilympics 2024. Categories like ICT, crafts, food services, and hospitality were open doors for PwDs to show their talents. In 15 categories, over 100 participants had joined and had displayed mastery in activities including sewing, dressmaking, data processing, word processing, photography, embroidery, painting, etc.
They each brought unique stories of resiliency and determination into the event. Some were attending for the first time; others had competed in national and international Abilympics. Always common among them was the union through an always common goal to showcase their skills and demonstrate that they were able to do more to flourish and thrive in the workforce.
The vocational competitions were very intense yet inspiring in showcasing not only technical skill but creativity and precision in work. In competing before judges and spectators, participants embodied the very essence of the Abilympic spirit-one of perseverance, passion, and the desire to break down barriers that have traditionally limited opportunities for people with disabilities.
Stories of Triumph through Empowerment
The day witnessed various success stories of vocational training and how these prove influential in the lives of persons with disabilities .
An example is the story of 25-year-old Shamim Alam from Bihar, with a locomotor disability. “I was quite enthusiastic about becoming a tailor. I won the tailoring category, and the judges were very impressed by my precision and craftsmanship.”. His work was testimony to the years of hard work and dedication in mastering his craft, which won him the Gold medal. “I’ve always been an ardent tailoring enthusiast. But with my disability, opportunities were really scarce. Thanks to the Abilympics and vocational training received, I can pursue my passion and make a living doing something I love.”- Shamim. Another tale which was striking to the mind is Jyotirmayee Pradhan, a brilliant ICT professional from the state of Odisha. Jyotirmayee competed under the Word Processing category where she demonstrated remarkable skill and speed and won a silver medal for her excellence. She said, “For many years, I always felt that the society never valued my skills due to the disability. Abilympics has given me confidence to love myself and let others know that I am as good as anyone else.”
These are just some of the participants whose lives are affected through vocational training and through events such as the Abilympics.
Breaking Barriers with Corporate Support
An important feature was that corporate partners, like Tata Power, Tata Steel Foundation, IHCL, and Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, participated. Such corporation partnerships are the heart of the facilitation of vocational training of the PwDs for their skills in jobs to increase their self-dependency.
Shri Jagmit Singh Sidhu, CEO of IEL, Tata Power said, “Corporate houses need to engage in being catalysts for creating a future of inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities.”
“At Tata Power, we believe in the power of inclusion, and we are committed to creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities.”. By giving avenues to host such competitions as that of the Abilympics, we help PwDs to present their skills but are also going to impact a more inclusive labour force where everyone has an equal fight for survival. A Bright Future for India’s PwDs
And as the curtains went down on the East Zone Regional Abilympics 2024, it was evident that this event had left its marks indelibly on the participants themselves and indeed the community at large. The skills and talents of PwDs in Jamshedpur would be a strong reminder that disability was not a limitation but a super opportunity to excel in any new, innovative way imaginable.
The event gathers success on the back of positive results by India at the 10th International Abilympics at Metz, France; seven medals have been bagged by the Indian contingent. In the near future, the East Zone Abilympics is a part of India’s total preparation for the 11th International Abilympics to be held in Finland in 2027.
Initiatives such as the Abilympics are placing India on solid ground toward becoming an increasingly inclusive society: one where those with different abilities can contribute and sustain themselves in the workforce. With the continued expansion of vocational training programs, more corporate partnerships, and momentum built, the future is bright for India’s PwDs-not only breaking barriers but also creating avenues for an equitable, embracing world.
About NAAI
The National Abilympic Association of India was founded in 2001 with the objectives of developing skills among persons with disability and to establish India’s participation at the International Abilympic Competition. With assistance from the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and the Ministry of Human Resource Development, the association conducts skill development of persons with disabilities and makes them employable. For further details about NAAI and upcoming events, log on to www.abilympicsindia.org.