Sol's ARC

We’re just 21 days away from 2025, and it’s that time of the year when we all start creating our resolution lists. Whether it’s fitness goals, career aspirations, or personal milestones, our lists reflect what we value and hope to achieve. But what if, this time, we made space for something more—something that creates impact beyond ourselves? What if we added inclusion to our resolutions? Start small: The next time you're organizing a meeting, check if the venue is wheelchair-accessible or if virtual calls have captions. Encourage quieter teammates to share their ideas and acknowledge overlooked contributions. Inclusion in accessibility: Provide documents in large print or audio formats to ensure everyone has access to the information. Inclusion in mental health: Foster a supportive environment where talking about mental health is welcomed, and taking a mental health day is okay. Learn something new: Read about invisible disabilities or attend a webinar on diversity. These small steps shape how we think and act. Inclusive learning and development: Attend training on neurodiversity and create a work environment that values different ways of thinking, like using visual aids or clear instructions. Inclusive hiring practices: Suggest making job descriptions more welcoming or exploring opportunities for mentorship for persons with disabilities. Inclusion in diversity and gender: Ensure gender-neutral bathrooms are available and use inclusive language on communications. Everyday kindness: Learn a greeting in sign language, respect pronouns, and offer help when needed, like assisting a colleague with mobility challenges. As 2025 approaches, let’s commit to resolutions that go beyond ourselves. Inclusion doesn’t just transform the spaces we share—it changes us for the better. What’s your inclusion resolution for 2025? Let’s make it a year where everyone belongs....

8 years ago on this day, I reached a government hospital in #Delhi to donate blood. It was meant for a poor patient from #Raipur, #Chattisgarh who was dealing with cancer. I got a call from someone on their behalf from a guy as I was part of many whatsapp groups. After donating, I gave my blood donation card to him and he left the blood bank. As I was on a half day leave so I thought to meet the patient and introduced his wife in the ward. To my surprise she asked, “Bhaiya aap yaha kyon aaye ho, maine to paise de diye hai”. I was shocked as I gave that blood without asking anything. I called the guy (who called me for this blood request). He disconnected many times and later switched off his phone. I realised I have been fooled and went to make a formal complaint but that was of no use. Because the blood was given to the patient it was meant for and the money was taken in cash (so no proof). I went back to give some money to the lady, as she might be thinking that I sold my blood to her. Also it was demonetisation during those days. When I went into the ward again, both were not there (they went for some tests). There was a Bengali/Assamese lady in that ward who told me about them. We started chatting and I got to know that the lady who paid for my blood got into pr*stitution (a profession which most social media platforms don’t like to even call). Actually her family refused to support her because they got her married and they are not responsible. And her in-laws refused saying “humara ladka toh marne wala hai, hum kyon karza karein”. She ended up selling all they had and came to Delhi where someone took her to a brothel. I was speechless, broken, shattered and left the hospital, keeping whatever I had in my pocket under the pillow. I was a corrupt professional by that time and that day realised how our small actions can destroy lives. I left my well paying job on that same day and decided to work on blood donation. After 2 days I got my full and final, and after a month I launched Simply Blood (which saved more than 75,000+ potential lives in 8 years). COVID shown the worst side of our society where people made useless excuses for not donating blood. I decided to #walk4blood donation awareness and did a #21000kmsWalk in 3 years before I ended for medical reasons. During which 13 new blood banks were started in districts with no blood banks and 45,000+ people #donatedblood to support my walk. That one small incident changed my life, myself and the world for me, forever. Later which helped me to start Change With One Meal and Maujpur Advance Academy (MAA) Institute. Where we have served more than 2 million unlimited meals for just Rs.10 in almost 5 years. And gave computer education to 45 girls in last 4 months. Tomorrow is my birthday (when my body took birth). But today is the birthday of “My Being”!

All about yesterday evening- the second launch of my novel Thus She Rose at the event marking the conclusion of the month long Inclusion Fest by Not that Different, Bookosmia- India's No.1 publisher 'for and by young people' . It was an evening to remember, for the book was launched at the very same place my first book, Small Stories Big Thoughts , was launched- a cosy library called Kahaani Box that has a lovely collection of books for everyone- right from pre schoolers to Young adults!, amidst some of my favourite people including Varsha Ramdas ma’am . Thank you Bookosmia for this lovely launch And here’s my book launch speech: https://lnkd.in/gAktBXTK Shwetha Srivathsan Sowmyanarayan Srinivasan Nidhi Mishra Archana Mohan Shaheli Mukherjee EkStep Foundation

What is Autism? Autism is a condition where individuals experience and respond to the world differently from neurotypical people. It falls under neurodivergence, which includes autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. Unlike certain conditions such as Down’s syndrome, autism doesn’t have distinct physical features. Autism exists on a spectrum: At one end, an autistic individual might excel academically, be musically gifted, or a chess champion, yet struggle with sensory sensitivities like loud sounds or sticky textures. At the other end, there are children like my son, Avnit. He is non-verbal, joyful, loves food, but faces unique challenges, including: 👉Aversion to wearing helmets, caps, or gloves—even in freezing weather. He resists change and reacts intensely if others wear these around him. 👉A strong need for sensory input, like spinning in circles or enjoying the wind on his face. 👉Discomfort in closed spaces and difficulty with fine motor skills, making tasks like picking up small objects or breaking bread challenging. 👉Dependence on help for everyday activities, such as bathing, due to poor hand-eye coordination. 👉A unique response to pain—he might smile even when injured. 👉An obsessive need for order; things must remain where they were left. 👉Excitement in meeting people, often expressed through physical gestures that may seem unusual but reflect his eagerness to connect. As parents, we are concerned about his future. Things like.. ❓What happens when we grow older and can no longer assist him? Who will care for him when we’re gone? ❓Are there systems or programs for lifelong care of special needs individuals, similar to old-age homes? ❓Can schools or institutions provide tailored therapies—speech, occupational, or hydrotherapy—to help him gain independence in daily tasks? ❓Will he ever acquire basic independence—bathing, dressing, eating, or crossing roads? And how do we find the “right” therapist? ❓Can he achieve self-sufficiency to earn a living and lead a fulfilling life, even if it’s not considered “normal”? Autism isn’t something to be “cured”; it’s simply a different way of being, much like: 🌟Left-handed vs. Right-handed: Just as some write with their left hand while others use their right, autistic individuals think and solve problems uniquely. 🌟Eye Colors: Different eye colors don’t affect vision but make people unique. Similarly, autism shapes unique perspectives. 🌟Taste Preferences: Some love spicy food; others don’t. People with autism may be sensitive to loud noises, textures, or lights. 🌟Learning Styles: Some learn by reading, others by doing. Autistic individuals thrive with tailored approaches. 🌟Hobbies: Just as one child loves drawing and another loves building, autistic individuals often have intense passions for specific topics. #Autism reminds us that every individual has their own way of experiencing the world, and that’s what makes humanity beautiful. #AutismAwareness #NeuroDiversity #Inclusion #Diversity

🌟 Transforming Teacher Training in Haryana 🌟 In Haryana, teacher training is undergoing a remarkable transformation! Our dedicated teachers, mentors, and key resource persons are revolutionizing the traditional system, embracing workshop-based, activity-driven, participatory learning models. This new approach fosters a student-centric, learning-oriented, outcome-based, and stress-free environment, ensuring children learn in a way that is engaging, experiential, and fear-free. 📚 Key Highlights: ✅ Activity-Based Learning: Hands-on activities to make concepts tangible and relatable. ✅ Play-Based Methods: Fun and interactive techniques for foundational education. ✅ Outcome-Oriented Approach: Clear focus on achieving measurable learning outcomes. ✅ Experiential Learning: Real-world applications and practical experiences for lasting understanding. The NIPUN Bharat Programme is pivotal in achieving foundational literacy and numeracy goals, and Balvatika initiatives are laying a strong foundation for early childhood education. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our valuable partners—Central Square Foundation, Sampark Foundation, and Language and Learning Foundation—for their unwavering support in this journey. The Department of School Education, Haryana, is proud to lead these efforts in making education inclusive, joyful, and impactful. 💬 We want to hear from you! Please watch the attached video showcasing this transformation in action and share your feedback in the comments. How would you rate this effort in redefining education? Together, let’s build a brighter future for our students! #Teach for India# #TeacherTraining #ActivityBasedLearning #ExperientialLearning #NIPUNBharat #Balvatika #FoundationalLiteracy #EarlyChildhoodEducation #StudentCentricLearning #InclusiveEducation #JoyfulLearning #HaryanaEducation

'Pollution affects disabled people very differently. Govt advisories are ableist' Arman Ali, disability rights activist and executive director at National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled Persons, writes #ThePrintOpinion