A platform for disabled persons through inclusive arts

Physically and mentally challenged artists from across the world have got together here to put up an international event of inclusive arts aimed at showcasing their talents and proving that disability is not an obstacle to achieving their dreams.
The three-day festival being held at India International Centre from November 14, includes events like an international seminar on "Challenges of working with persons with disability for inclusive growth with special focus on inclusive arts".
"Sambhav 2015," organised by A.L.P.A.N.A, (Association for Learning Performing Arts and Normative Action) a Delhi-based NGO includes a workshop of yoga, an exhibition of paintings, sculptures and artifacts made by challenged artists.

Persons with disability from over 24 countries are participating in the annual festival, now in its 10th edition.
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 was instituted by dancer Alpana Nayak in 2006.

Nayak said that unlike western countries, in India work done for towards the betterment of persons who are challenged is negligible.
"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.

"I don't want say that this is only the work of our government but others should also came forward for such a noble cause," she said.
The NGO is being assisted by the ministries of Culture, External Affairs besides ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
"We don't charge any participation free but we give prizes to those who perform well," she said.
"Challenges which we faced while organizing an event like this is the identification of the group of participants worldwide," she said.
"I suffered a major accident at the age of eight in which I lost my left leg. Since, childhood I liked dancing I used to switch on the television set in a locked room and start dancing. Soon it became my passion and I have performed in 21 countries," Roma Naupane from Nepal who was a participant at the event said.

Taraneh, a 30-year-old artist from Iran said he was inspired by the soft Indian music." I have played piano since the age of seven. I have never been to any institute to learn but started myself and soft music has always been my interest area," he said.
A 12-year-old mentally challenged girl Anjana was excited to craft a hat out of chart paper. "I have to prepare it quickly and show to my madam to get prizes," she said.