India wins seven medals at the 10th International Abilympics

Team L&M

In its best-ever haul at the International Abilympics after many years, India has made history. Team India bagged seven medals at the 10th International Abilympics, the global skills competition for persons with disability (PwD’s). The four-day festival, held in Metz, France ended today. The seven medals include one Gold, two Silver, three Bronze and one Excellence award.

Organised by the France Abilympics Association in partnership with WorldSkills France, the event saw 458 participants from 27 countries. It comprised vocational skills competitions, specifically designed for Persons with Disability (PwD), to screen and showcase the best talent in vocational skill categories like IT, Arts & Crafts, Hospitality and Services.

Bronze Medalist Mohith Majety

Indian team had participants from Surat, Mumbai, Jabalpur, Vijaywada, Chennai, Pune, Mysore, Bhavnagar, Gaya and Chandigarh participating in 12 select trades from overall 45 Competitive skill categories, under ICT, Crafts, Hospitality, Services and Industry. India has also been selected as one of the eight Executive Committee members of International Abilympics Federation (IAF) among 37 member nations.

India has also become a member of the Executive Committee of the 
International Abilympics Federation among 37 member nations

The Indian contingent was led by Dr Jitender Aggarwal, Secretary General, National Abilympic Association of India (NAAI) and Founder, Sarthak Educational Trust. “This is a stupendous achievement for India and we are very proud of our 13 participants who showcased remarkable skill and perseverance making INDIA shine big at an international platform like International Abilympics Skills Competition. This win reiterates the fact that the differently-abled community is made up of resilient individuals who are capable of creating positive change in the world. They are also capable of inspiring others to make a difference. Through their work, skills and abilities, they have shown that disability is not a barrier to success. They have proven that everyone has something to offer, and that everyone can make a difference,” says a proud Aggarwal.

Chetan Pashilkar from Mumbai, Maharashtra bagged a Gold Medal, representing the country in Skill Category – Painting ‘Waste Reuse’. He used the theme Sustainable development using technology for his painting.

Chetan Pashilkar bagged the Gold Medal

The Silver Medal winning participants are Priyanka Dabhade from Pune, Maharashtra who represented India in the Skill Category – Embroidery, and Kashif Khan from Mumbai (Maharashtra) represented India in the Skill Category – Patisserie and Confectionery. Dabhade also won the Medal of Excellence for her outstanding work, talent and commitment.

Silver Medalists Priyanka Dabhade and Kashif Khan

The Bronze medal winners are Mohith Majety from Vijaywada, Andhra Pradesh, who represented India in the Skill Category – Photography, Avinash KS from Mysore, Karnataka, represented India in the Skill Category – Jewellery Making and Md. Shamim Alam from Gaya, Bihar represented India in the Skill Category – Tailoring.

Bronze Medalists Avinash KS and Shamim Alam