''Sambhav'' empowering the disabled

Tribune News Service 

New Delhi, November 15

Having risen above all odds, persons with disability from over 24 countries are participating in a three-day festival "Sambhav 2015" in the national Capital to showcase their talents and prove that disability is not an obstacle to achieving their dreams.

It is the tenth edition of the festival organised by a Delhi-based NGO A.L.P.A.N.A, (Association for Learning Performing Arts and Normative Action) at India International Centre. The event includes an international seminar on "Challenges of working with persons with disability for inclusive growth with special focus on inclusive arts", a workshop of yoga, an exhibition of paintings, sculptures and artifacts made by challenged artists. 

According to the coordinator dancer Alpana Nayak, who formed the NGO in 2006 unlike western countries, in India a lot of sensitisation about the need to mainstream people with disabilities is required. 

"The west is working in this field since 1940 but in our country we have recognized it in only towards the late 1990s. Even then after 25 years we can see only 10 percent to 15 per cent development," Nayak said.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a letter to the NGO said, "I am happy to know A.L.P.A.N.A.A is organising an international event with performances by challenged artists from different parts of the globe and different regions of India." 

The NGO is being assisted by the ministries of Culture, External Affairs besides ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.