AFFWA, Tech Mahindra Foundation and FaujiMitra Host ‘The Ability Dialogues 4.0’ in New Delhi
New Delhi: The Air Force Families Welfare Association (AFFWA), in collaboration with Tech Mahindra Foundation – the CSR arm of Tech Mahindra Limited – and FaujiMitra, an initiative of Ekyam Impact Foundation, hosted the fourth edition of ‘The Ability Dialogues’ at the Air Force Auditorium, New Delhi. The event was organized to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Umeed Vocational Training Centre and focused on disability inclusion from the perspective of the Armed Forces.
The occasion was graced by Mrs. Sarita Singh, President of AFFWA; Mrs. Sunita Dwivedi, President of Army Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA); Ms. Kavita Narayan, Senior Technical Advisor, Human Resources for Health (HRH), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India; and Mr. Chetan Kapoor, CEO of Tech Mahindra Foundation.
Guest of Honour Ms. Kavita Narayan said, “I am so moved to be here today, seeing the incredible potential and power of the specially-abled amongst us. While many aspects of reform are in progress to help address their clinical needs, we have to continue to find more ways to make them an integral and equal part of society.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Chetan Kapoor, CEO, Tech Mahindra Foundation, added, “At Tech Mahindra Foundation, inclusion of Persons with Disabilities has been a core commitment since 2006. Through the fourth edition of the Ability Dialogues, we have created a space where the discipline and reach of the Armed Forces welfare organisations meet the expertise of the disability sector, fostering sustainable pathways for dignity, education, and employment for persons with disabilities.”
The event featured inspiring stories of resilience shared by students and caregivers, followed by a panel discussion and a closed-door roundtable. Discussions highlighted key issues such as continuity of care, mental health, healthcare access, and technology-driven solutions for disability inclusion.
An Experiential Corridor curated by Tech Mahindra Foundation showcased innovations in education, assistive technology, livelihoods, and sports. Organizations like Mitti Café, Nayi Disha, ASTHA, and Umoya Sports displayed their impactful initiatives, offering practical solutions for inclusion.
The event also spotlighted Project FaujiMitra, which focuses on livelihood opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) from the military fraternity, and The Ability Network (TAN) — a collaborative ecosystem of credible civil society and private sector partners providing verified information and affordable services to PwDs and their caregivers.
The central aim of ‘The Ability Dialogues 4.0 – Forces’ Perspective’ was to bridge the gap between Armed Forces welfare organisations and civil society by sharing best practices and the latest technologies. This collaborative approach is expected to strengthen collective well-being and pave the way for a more inclusive ecosystem for persons with disabilities and their families.