New Delhi: The corridors of Shri Ram College of Commerce looked different on Thursday. Instead of hurried footsteps between lectures, students gathered over cups of coffee, folding purple chart paper into origami flowers, small symbols representing a larger idea of inclusion. The activity was part of Echoes, a day-long programme aimed at raising awareness about disability inclusion and celebrating diverse abilities through conversations, performances and design innovation. The event, jointly organised by Enactus SRCC and association for disabled people, brought together students, educators, para-athletes, policymakers and community professionals on the college campus.
“Inclusion often remains a discussion limited to classrooms or policy papers. We wanted to create a space where people could experience it through art, fashion, sport and dialogue,” a student organiser from the Enactus SRCC team said. “Every activity was designed to make participants interact, not just observe.” The initiative comes against the backdrop of an estimated 63 million people with disabilities in India, who reportedly continue to face barriers to accessibility and opportunity. Through speaker sessions, school skits, wheelchair dance performances and a talent showcase, organisers aimed to shift the conversation from sympathy to participation. A key highlight of the programme was Project Aavaran, a student-led initiative that developed adaptive footwear and apparel, growing out of research conducted with over 1,000 individuals with mobility impairments. The project began as a classroom idea and since evolved into a venture impacting over 120 lives across multiple disability groups. “Our surveys showed that accessibility is not only about function but also dignity and style. People didn’t want medical-looking products. They wanted something fashionable and easy to use. That insight shaped Aavaran,” the student organiser said. The showcase featured mobility-impaired para-athletes walking the runway in the adaptive apparel. The designs included zipper-fastened shoes with memory foam insoles and flexible construction, developed with inputs from design institutions. The event also featured keynote addresses and a panel discussion led by experts and community leaders. Chief guest Jitendra Sharma, director at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disabilities, joined special guest and para-athlete Sachin Chamaria, along with athletes such as Munna Khalid, Narayan Thakur, Deepak and Manisha. The programme included an art competition for differently-abled children and performances highlighting creative expression and accessibility in the arts. Organisers said the event also marked an important milestone during SRCC’s centenary year, reflecting how student-led initiatives increasingly link entrepreneurship with social impact. The campus hosted visitors from schools, NGOs, startups and govt bodies.
