Over 150 disabled children from 20 special education institutions of the capital participated in national art competition here to showcase their hidden creative talents. The event titled, "Meri Duniya Kay Rang" was organised by the Network of Organisation Working People with Disabilities, Pakistan (NOWPDP), an initiative taken by the Aga Khan Council for Pakistan.
The competition was aimed at providing children with disabilities the opportunity to boost their abilities from a public platform that provides recognition of their abilities alongside the promotion of an inclusive society. Members of the civil society attended the competition followed by an exhibition to generate awareness of the potential of people with disabilities as positive and equal contributors to all aspects of society.
The participants were offered two categories to choose from Painting/Drawing and Calligraphy. The competition was aimed to achieve a twofold objective: to give these children a public platform to display their talent to the society, and to provide them with the opportunity to interact, share and feel accepted.
The children displayed their ideas on various topics with the medium of pencil, crayons and watercolours. The goals of the programme were to promote the social participation of people with disabilities, provide children with disabilities the opportunity to showcase their talents on a public forum, generate a greater level of awareness about the potential of children and adults with disabilities as active positive contributors to society and provide networking grounds for participating organisations and schools.
NOWPDPs primary aim is to make a significant difference to the quality of life and welfare of persons with disabilities by the provision of strategic support augmenting the functioning of organisations working for such persons across the country. In the form of this art competition, NOWPDP hopes to provide an opportunity for children to enjoy themselves, while bolstering the childrens confidence in their own abilities and motivating them toward actualising their immense potential.