Physically-challenged people to take part in Dandiya festival

For the first time in the city, physically-challenged people will join other revellers at a three-day long inclusive Dandiya dance event during the Navratri festival next month.
The 'Dandiya Mela 2013' to be held at the Milan Mela grounds from October 11 will see differently-abled people including students dancing with sticks on wheelchairs.
"With this dance event, we will stand in solidarity for physically-challenged people and prove that we want a society which is inclusive and respects all sections. When we all make merry we don't want the differently-abled section of our society to be left out in a corner," Ankit Agarwal and Prerna Kothari, co-organisers of the event, told reporters.

The dandiya is being organised jointly by event management and consultancy firm Media Connect along with the NGO National Institute of Professionals which works for the rights of the disabled.
The organisers said they will also have an exclusive dance floor for the differently-abled people besides special performances from them during the event.
Members of Rhythm Dance Centre are also organising a special on-stage blind-folded Dandiya performance to spread the message of eye donation.

Besides some television actors, Bollywood actor Govinda has also agreed to come and dance with them, the organisers said.
Richa Sharma, Mrs India International, said, "If each one of us can give dignity for the disabled and their active participation in a more inclusive society, we have worshipped Maa Durga during Navratri, who stands for good over evil".

Debajyoti Roy, secretary of NIP NGO said, "This is a very unique programme because in our society people always want to maintain a distance between normal and disabled persons. People think that disabled people cannot do the same thing as normal people can do that is why we have arranged for this inclusive Dandiya festival".