Samaanta 2016

Samaanta, an event that brings people from a vast swathe of population to raise awareness on equal representation for people living with disability, was launched by Uddip Social Welfare Society in 2016.

People living with disabilities are often subject to a variety of dismissive responses and condescending attitudes by our society. They are often taken as an object of pity and loathing. People profess to feel uncomfortable around them, resulting in their ostracisation from a regular and respectful standing in society.
This widespread conduct of a dismissive mentality is catalysed by declining awareness around the issues and challenges faced by people living with a disability. Such rifts in our society can only be bridged by activities that bring the polarity of opinions together. Encouraging people to interact with others by inclusive strategies and engaging activities like sports, competitions, fairs, and other social gathering endeavours helps induce favourable exposure. Paralympics is a shining example of the same.

Samaanta, an event that brings people from a vast swathe of population to raise awareness on equal representation for people living with disability, was launched by Uddip Social Welfare Society in 2016. The objectives of this event accord with the increasing need for awareness around disability. The annual event is a collaborative effort of premier education institutes, public and private organisations, civil societies, and passionate volunteers from across the state of Madhya Pradesh.

The year 2016 saw the participants coming from different age groups, and the majority of them were budding talents from colleges like LNCT. With around 3000 participants, Samaanta was inaugurated with an overwhelming response. Starting at 9 in the morning, the enthusiastic participants opened the event by singing the national anthem in a cheerful atmosphere. Amongst the participants were differently-abled kids from different care homes. As a guest of honour, Assistant Director-General of Prison and Correctional Services and high-ranking officials from Dilip Buildcon Ltd attended the event. After a brief welcome and address by Poonam Shroti, the founder of Uddip Social Welfare Society and chief organiser of the event, the participants were flagged off for the 5 Km marathon.

The marathon signified equality and just representation by removing social constraints like separate events for people living with a disability. Everyone, who participated in the event, irrespective of their disability, ran together, sending a resounding message of empowerment. Nehru Yuva Kendra sponsored the trophies and certificates for the event whereas, Mr Ram Babu was the noble figure behind arranging refreshments for the participants.
The event's success marks a departure from the established standard of equality in social participation by becoming one of the few inclusive events organised in central India. Uddip Social Welfare Society continues to encourage and organise events that motivate an all-inclusive environment for the people living with a disability.