Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Development and Employment of Persons with Disabilities lights the lamp while VR Ferose, IIF founder, holds the mic and disability activist Dhanya Ravi (in the wheelchair) looks on at the inauguration of IIS 2024
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The India Inclusion Summit is an annual celebration of disability and is one of the many events conducted by the India Inclusion Foundation. Every year, the summit hosts a riveting range of events that include art and culture as well as inspirational talks and workshops, and is attended by persons with disabilities, their caregivers and well wishers.
This year too, promises to be as stellar as previous editions, with speakers such as Priyank Kharge, Minister for Information Technology, and the lead actors from Sitaare Zameen Par, among others.
According to VR Ferose, founder and chairman of India Inclusion Foundation (IIF), this year is special as many things fell into place “magically”. “Coincidences happen, and somehow the India Inclusion Summit (IIS) attracts the right energy. First, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has written a special message for IIS, which we will be sharing at the event. Getting his blessings means a lot to our volunteers and the entire community.”
IIF founder VR Ferose with His Holiness the Dalai Lama
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
“Second, former Chief Justice Chandrachud accepted our invitation to be the chief guest at IIS. He has two foster daughters who are severely disabled and wheelchair users. It will be interesting to hear him speak as his book Why Constitution Matters (2018) covers the issue of disability rights.”
Ferose admits that while it is great that DY Chandrachud and Priyank Kharge, two policy makers, will be a part of IIS, “the third reason that makes this edition special is the fact that four of our core team members have been selected for the National Award this year for their work in the disability sector.”
Pavithra YS, IIF co-founder and managing director of Vindhya e-Infomedia and Richa Bansal, founder of Sarathee, will be receiving the National Award, apart from Inclusion Fellow Dhriti Ranka and Art for Inclusion Fellow Gayatri Gupta.
Actor Adil Hussain with Prathamesh Sinha, a 12-year-old with blindness, who emceed at IIS 2023
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
“Having four people integral to our work recognised at the national level is testimony that what we do matters. That is why this year’s summit is a celebration. While we don’t work for the recognition, when it comes, it is a validation of our work,” he says.
According to Ferose, The Inclusion Fellowship (TIF), where the team supports social entrepreneurs, is their most important initiative. “These are startups involved in solving a problem in the disability space,” he says, adding that TIF will be held on November 14 and 15. Selected Fellows will undergo a two-month hybrid programme that will provide them with personalised mentorship.
The India Inclusion Summit will take place on November 16 at the Radisson Blu, Outer Ring Road, Marathahalli in Bengaluru. Event details available on indiainclusionsummit.com
Published – November 13, 2025 01:24 pm IST