IIS 2024: Inclusion summit shines light on disability rights, resilience

Bengaluru: The 12th India Inclusion Summit (IIS), an annual event focused on raising awareness about people with disabilities and fostering an inclusive society, took place in the city on Sunday.

The event opened with a Manganiyar folk music performance by singer Ustad Anwar Khan and his team. This was followed by a conversation between Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, and IIS founder Ferose VR, who also heads the SAP Engineering Academy.

Aggarwal said Bengaluru has been evolving as a hub of transformative work in the disability sector.

Ferose pointed out that while the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, is progressive, its implementation remains inadequate.

"The 2016 Act is very progressive, but building case laws in the judicial system takes a long time, sometimes 10 years," Aggarwal said.

Amir Hussain Lone, a para-cricketer, shared his story of resilience, recounting how he lost both arms at the age of eight in a sawmill accident yet pursued his dream of playing cricket. He eventually captained the Jammu and Kashmir para-cricket team and was recognised by Sachin Tendulkar, who visited him in his hometown in Kashmir.

Another inspiring story was shared about Javed Ahmad Tak, a Kashmiri teacher for children with disabilities. After losing the function of both legs in a militant attack in Anantnag in 1997, he faced further challenges when both legs were amputated last year due to gangrene. Thanks to a bespoke wheelchair provided by Bengaluru-based startup Rise Bionics, he continues teaching disabled children.

The event also saw the launch of ‘Everyone is Good at Something (EGS)’, a book that tells the stories of 21 people with disabilities through photographs and narratives. It was released by Aggarwal, Ferose, photographer Vicky Roy, and writer and veteran journalist CK Meena.

Speaking to DH on the sidelines, Ferose noted that Bengaluru has one of the best ecosystems for people with disabilities.

"The mindset of people in Bengaluru is what makes the city one of the best places for disabled people. As a technology hub, Bengaluru drives many tech-based solutions for disabilities. The city also has many schools catering to children with disabilities," he added.