BJP chief’s wife Mallika Nadda calls for inclusive India where every divyang is seen as a sportsperson blessed with divine strength
Munish Sood
MANDI
A special Diwali Fest for differently abled children brought joy, inspiration and emotion to Sundernagar as Special Olympics Bharat organised a grand celebration dedicated to the spirit and talent of divyang athletes.
The event, held ahead of Diwali, was graced by Dr Mallika Nadda, Chairperson of Special Olympics Bharat, and BBMB Chairman Manoj Tripathi as chief guests.
The venue came alive with cultural performances, patriotic songs and heartfelt presentations by differently abled children from various schools and institutions. The highlight of the event came during the performance on “Mera Bharat”, when a young participant proudly waved the Tricolour, moving the entire audience to stand in reverence. Many were seen with tears in their eyes, overwhelmed by the children’s indomitable spirit and talent.
Dr Mallika Nadda praised the performances and said that these children are not to be viewed with sympathy but with respect and admiration.
“Each divyang is blessed with divine powers. We must see them as sportspersons of extraordinary strength and ensure equal rights, equal opportunities and a life of dignity for all,” she said.
Adopt one divyang, appeals Mallika Nadda
Calling upon citizens to contribute toward building an inclusive India, Dr. Mallika Nadda urged everyone to “hold the hand of one divyang” so that the dream of a truly inclusive society can be realised.
She highlighted that nearly 7 crore Indians — around 5 per cent of the population — live with one or more of the 21 recognised disabilities and their inclusion in mainstream life is essential for national progress.
Praising India’s recent performance at the international level, Dr Mallika Nadda shared that a 30-member Indian contingent won 35 medals at the Special Olympics in Italy, including 22 medals secured by Himachal’s 30 athletes.
“These athletes were honoured nationally, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and were invited as guests for the Independence Day celebrations. The Central Government has also increased the cash award for gold medallists from ₹8 lakh to ₹20 lakh,” she added.
Performances that touched hearts
The festival featured spectacular performances from Chetna Sanstha (Bilaspur), Sakar Special School, Sahyog Special School, and BSL Senior Secondary Schools (Sundernagar and Salapad).
Children from DAV Public School, Sundernagar, also added colour to the event with their vibrant cultural display. Students of Himachal Dental College presented a short skit on dental hygiene, creatively conveying the importance of oral health.
Adding a special local touch, Aradhya, popularly known as “Cute Pahadan”, captivated the audience with her delightful Himachali folk performance. The poetic recitations by Sanjay Kumar and Vandana Thakur from Shimla further enriched the cultural atmosphere.
Celebrating courage and capability
Throughout the event, the applause never ceased as children displayed remarkable confidence and joy on stage. Their performances not only showcased talent but also reflected their determination to overcome barriers and celebrate life.
BBMB Chairman Manoj Tripathi, along with other dignitaries including Special Olympics Mandi president Jagdish Rana, Chief Engineer (Water) Vijender Nara, Deputy Chief Engineer Kashmir Singh Thakur, Ajay Pal Singh and Harnam Singh Thakur, joined Dr. Mallika Nadda in encouraging the participants.
The fest concluded with the message that ability, not disability, defines a person.
“If every citizen supports one divyang,” Dr. Nadda said in her closing remarks, “then the dream of an inclusive and compassionate India will no longer remain a dream—it will become a reality.”
