Introduction On 1st July 2025, the Government of India introduced the new National Sports Policy 2025, popularly referred to as the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025. The new policy aims to elevate India’s position in global sports and redefine the role of sports in everyday Indian life by making it a larger part of education, development,…
Despite examples like Sadhan Gupta, India’s first blind parliamentarian, and Minati Barik, the first female wheelchair user elected in Odisha, persons with disabilities continue to face biases and stereotypes that hinder them from contesting elections. There is a general trend of disability being under-represented in politics. This article covers key challenges for people with disabilities…
This article highlights how issues related to disability are often underreported in Indian media or shaped by outdated ableist narratives or stereotypes due to lack of specific reporting guidelines. Media representation that upholds rights, dignity, and empowerment can make a difference for millions of persons with disabilities in India. National Centre for Promotion of Employment…
For persons with mobility impairments, particularly those with cerebral palsy, locomotor disabilities, and high support requirements, air pollution is a logistical nightmare. Did you read the Delhi government’s advisory on staying indoors during this pollution spike and think, “That’s good advice, I can relate”? Well, as a disabled person, I didn’t. While children, the elderly, and those with chronic…
Despite 2.68 crore persons with disabilities, the divyang community struggles to find representation in mainstream politics In the vast landscape of Indian democracy, where diversity should thrive, the voices and needs of individuals with disabilities often echo in silence. Despite India accounting for 2.68 crore persons with disabilities, making up 2.28 per cent of the…
India’s genuine progress will be reflected in its dedication to inclusivity, especially in upholding the dignity of individuals with disabilities In the vibrant tapestry of India’s democracy, the concept of a welfare state has been a cornerstone since its establishment. Embedded in the Constitution, the commitment to justice, equality, and the promotion of general welfare…
This year’s theme for World Disability Day compels us to prioritize the voices of persons with disabilities in shaping an equitable world. In India, where elections and political engagement are integral to the nation’s identity, the inclusion of persons with disabilities in political leadership is not only a question of representation but a necessity for…
The latest workforce data reported by Nifty 50 constituent companies paints a worrying picture. Only five out of 50 companies have more than 1% PwD employees on their rolls. The great Indian election festival, or chunav ka parv, is finally over With the National Democratic Alliance all set for its third consecutive term, there is anticipation about the new government’s…
As India stands on the cusp of its 77th Independence Day, the notion of freedom warrants a deeper exploration. True independence transcends political autonomy – it embodies a society where every citizen, regardless of their abilities, enjoys equal access to opportunities and resources. Universal design: The foundation of inclusive freedom Universal design is more than…
Remembering Javed Abidi (1965-2018) Javed Abidi, Global Chair of Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) and Director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), India passed away on Sunday, 4th March, 2018. He was just 53 years of age. Abidi was a pioneer in many ways and was known for his innate…