The East Zone Regional Abilympics 2024, organised by the National Abilympic Association of India (NAAI), is set to take place at Tata Steel Technical Institute, Burma Mines on 3-4 October in Jamshedpur (Jharkhand). Banna Gupta Health Minister of Jharkhand will be the chief guest at the inauguration. This event aims to celebrate the exceptional skills and talents of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) from across Eastern India. Abilympics, known as the Olympics of Abilities, serves as a global platform where PwDs can demonstrate their vocational skills and showcase their ability to compete at both national and international levels. The Abilympics not only focuses on empowering PwDs through skills but also highlights the larger issue of employment opportunities. Skill development programmes and events like these open doors to various sectors, including IT, hospitality, manufacturing, and even creative fields, where PwDs can excel with the right support.
Supported by prominent partners like Tata Power (TPCDT), Tata Steel Foundation, and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, the event underscores a commitment to empowering PwDs through skill development and inclusion. These initiatives are vital for providing PwDs with the tools they need to achieve self-reliance and contribute to society.
East Zone edition has received an overwhelming response, with 405 entries received and out of which 200+ selected ones will be competing, highlighting the growing enthusiasm and participation in promoting vocational skills amongst PwDs. Participants will showcase their abilities in 15 skill categories, under ICT, Crafts, Food and Services from the Eastern States such as West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Odisha. For the first time, participants from Northeastern states like Assam and Meghalaya are joining the event, marking a significant milestone in the event’s expanding reach. Two participants from Assam and one from Meghalaya will take part, reflecting the growing inclusivity of the competition nationally. On this occasion, Tata group has undertaken a landmark initiative of organizing events like Neurodiversity Immersion Summit.
Jitender Aggarwal, Secretary General, National Abilympic Association of India (NAAI) and Founder & CEO, Sarthak Educational Trust remarked, “The Regional Abilympics is a focused effort to promote vocational skills essential for PwDs to contribute to society. It also serves as a platform to showcase their talents on regional, national, and international stages.” He added, “It is a moment of pride when corporate entities welcome skilled employees and promote diversity in the workforce. With PwDs comprising over 5% of India’s population, this event emphasizes the importance of skill development as a pathway to employment, self-respect, and independence. Programs like the Abilympics help break down societal barriers, allowing PwDs to demonstrate their capabilities and inspiring corporate organizations to adopt more inclusive hiring practices. Companies such as Tata Power, Tata Steel, and others have already made strides in including PwDs in their workforce, showing the potential for wider change across industries”.
