20th Anjali International Children and Youth Festival concluded
Bhubaneswar : The 20th edition of Anjali International Children and Youth Festival the valedictory ceremony was held on virtual mode at Swabhiman. Swatishree Moharana (Team Leader, Swabhiman) and Tanamayee Sahu (Manager, Swabhiman) gave welcome address followed guests introduction.
The ceremony was inaugurated with lighting of lamp by Sarthak Diwedi (Key board player and child with Autism) and Odia film Actress Anu Chaudhury along with Debashis Patanaik (Hotelier) and Priyadarshi Mohapatra(Innovator & Corporate Leader).
Then Dyuti Gupta (Consultant, Swabhiman) and Tanamayee Sahu (Manager, Swabhiman) briefed about Anjali Festival 2021 and its different aspects in its 20th year.
Anu Chaudhury is a versatile actor in of Odisha film Industry who acted in Bengali and Telgu movies. Mr. Debashsih Pattanaik is a renowned hotelier of Bhubaneswar and Mr. Priyadarshi Mohapatra is an innovator and corporate leader in making were present as guest in today’s ceremony.
Prize distribution ceremony was followed by Odishi dance performances by Rashmirekha Sahu(Intellectual Disability), Adyasha Sahoo(Loyola Public School) and contemporary dance performed by Kiran Behera, (Kendriya Vidyalay/A Child with orthopedic disability).
Dr. Sruti Mohapatra, CEO Swabhiman and Chief Excutive Anjali shared about the 20 years journey and how we reached this milestone. Founded in 2001 is registered, nonprofit and a cross disability organization advocating for and working for the purpose of persons with disabilities in Odisha, India and south Asia. Anjali is the first and only International Children and Youth Festival which aims to bridge the gabs of society by making it more inclusive by showcasing the talents of children with disabilities to the mainstream of society she concluded.
Ms Sarah Muthoni Kumau, Chairperson of Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum and an Executive Board Member, Kenya said, its privilege to become a part of this beautiful festival that carries far reaching messages of creating universal platform for an inclusive society with zero discrimination and equal opportunity based on merit. She thanked Swabhiman for organizing the event successfully amidst Corona pandemic and making history.
Before declaration of prizes for different competitions Pratha Sarathi Nayak, studying in 2nd Year Arts BJB Autonomous College (Dwarfism) performed a beautiful dance on Bollywood song.
From day one of Anjali Festival Mr. Pramod Kumar Mohapatra and Alka Joshi joined us as sign language interpreter to make it accessible for persons with hearing impairment. Mr. Mohapatra has completed 20 years in Anjali Festival which speaks volume about his love and dedication since inception of festival.
The session came to an end with vote of thanks given by Tanmayee Sahu, Manager Swabhiman. On behalf of Swabhiman she thanked the official sponsors Imfa, RAYS, TEAM, Circle of Friends, Aditya Birla Cpital, Odisha Tourism Department and state government for supporting us to successfully organize the Festival. There were more 250 viewers on virtual mode that joined us in the valedictory ceremony.
