The curtains have closed on the fifth edition of the National Youth Leadership Summit 2023, an enlightening event organized by Special Olympics Bharat. Hosted at Amity University, Noida, the three-day summit centered around the themes of Diversity and inclusion, drawing participants from 21 states across India, with a special day dedicated to schools and colleges in Delhi-NCR.
The inaugural day witnessed seventeen schools and colleges from Delhi-NCT setting the stage, with Himanshu Gupta, Director of Education & Sports, Govt of Delhi NCT, addressing the audience on the significance of inclusion in schools. The subsequent days welcomed youth leaders and adult mentors from various states, featuring performance summaries and insightful panel discussions with distinguished guests.
A highlight on the second day was a panel discussion exploring ‘Leveraging education spaces to build communities of acceptance and inclusion.’ Notable panellists included A Srija, Economic Advisor, Govt of India, Dr. Mallika Nadda, President of Special Olympics Bharat, and other experts. The engaging session, moderated by Unified Pair Rithik Hukku and Smruti Sikta Misra, provided valuable insights into fostering inclusive environments.
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The summit also featured a session with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) on the ‘Tide Turner Plastic Challenge,’ showcasing emerging partnerships through youth engagement and emphasizing the capabilities of youth with intellectual disabilities in responsible endeavors.
Distinguished speakers like Dr. Kalpana Sharma discussed the role of coaches in promoting inclusion through unified sports, while Ms Damini Gosh highlighted the youth’s role in shaping policies. The event concluded with a vibrant flash mob performance by Special Olympics Bharat athletes and insights from Shrey Kadian & Rithik Hukku on youth engagements.
Himanshu Gupta, Director of Education & Sports, Govt of Delhi and NCT, commended Special Olympics Bharat for their impactful work, emphasizing the importance of unified sports and inclusion in shaping the lives of specially-abled children.
A Srija, Economic Advisor, Govt of India, expressed gratitude for being part of the summit, highlighting legal provisions for inclusive education. Dr Mallika Nadda, President of Special Olympics Bharat, thanked the government for recognizing Delhi’s inclusion model and expressed hope that the summit’s efforts would inspire holistic development and integration of specially-abled children nationwide.
-IANS
