The 4th anniversary calendar celebrated 12 differently-abled women from various parts of the country who have excelled in their own fields. The calendar models were from various fields including medicine, sports, disability rights activists and artists.
"Walking is important, but moving forward in life is even more important", said Swarnalatha J, Managing trustee of Swarga Foundation launching the 4th edition of 'I'm Special' calendar.
The 4th anniversary calendar celebrated 12 differently-abled women from various parts of the country who have excelled in their own fields. The calendar models were from various fields including medicine, sports, disability rights activists and artists.
One of the models, Mrunmaiy Abroal, PR Lead of Amazon Alexa and Echo in India said, "This is an wonderful initiative and this calendar sheds a light on life of people like us beyond our disability. This is inspiring and I also see this as an opportunity to meet people like me because we would be able to empathise with each other."
Mrunmaiy suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident seven years ago and she has been on wheel chair ever since. Mrunmaiy opines that the society and firms in our country should become more inclusive and they are important for the well-being of differently-abled persons.
"When we are employed we feel more independent and that's very important. I attended several interviews before landing in my current job. Many firms had doubts employing me. I feel more independent now", she added.
Mrunmay Abroal
Another model Ashla Rani MP, from Trivandrum who works as Executive Assistant to Chairman, Pallium India and disability rights acitivist said, "Shooting for this calendar was really a memorable experience. This initiative brings people like us into limelight. There is a wrong notion amongst the majority that disability means that a person can not do anything. I wasn't given the menu card at a hotel once assuming that I would be a mentally retarded person. This mentality should change."
Anand Daga, Photographer for Calendar
The calendar was designed and shot by Coimbatore based photographer Anand Daga from Matrix Media Productions (I) Private limited. Anand said, "I have been in this industry for past 18 years and I have worked for several top brands but this was a different experience. I personally felt ashamed when I came to know each of these models and each one of them moved me with their stories." Anand said that shooting the models was quite challenging given the conditions. "They can't sit for a long time so I heard their stories, understood their difficulties and planned the shoot accordingly."
The calendar was released by Perur Adheenam pontiff Dr. Santhalinga Marudasala Adikalar and the first copy was received by Balchand Bothra, Chairman of Mahaveers here.
Swarnalatha said, "This calendar aims to create awareness about inclusion in our society. Eight years ago, I was thrown out of my company and today I have employed many."
The calendars cost Rs.300 each and the proceeds will be utilised for setting up physiotherapy centre for persons affected with neuro-muscular disorders.
The 4th anniversary calendar celebrated 12 differently-abled women from various parts of the country who have excelled in their own fields. The calendar models were from various fields including medicine, sports, disability rights activists and artists.
One of the models, Mrunmaiy Abroal, PR Lead of Amazon Alexa and Echo in India said, "This is an wonderful initiative and this calendar sheds a light on life of people like us beyond our disability. This is inspiring and I also see this as an opportunity to meet people like me because we would be able to empathise with each other."
Mrunmaiy suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident seven years ago and she has been on wheel chair ever since. Mrunmaiy opines that the society and firms in our country should become more inclusive and they are important for the well-being of differently-abled persons.
"When we are employed we feel more independent and that's very important. I attended several interviews before landing in my current job. Many firms had doubts employing me. I feel more independent now", she added.
Mrunmay Abroal
Another model Ashla Rani MP, from Trivandrum who works as Executive Assistant to Chairman, Pallium India and disability rights acitivist said, "Shooting for this calendar was really a memorable experience. This initiative brings people like us into limelight. There is a wrong notion amongst the majority that disability means that a person can not do anything. I wasn't given the menu card at a hotel once assuming that I would be a mentally retarded person. This mentality should change."
Anand Daga, Photographer for Calendar
The calendar was designed and shot by Coimbatore based photographer Anand Daga from Matrix Media Productions (I) Private limited. Anand said, "I have been in this industry for past 18 years and I have worked for several top brands but this was a different experience. I personally felt ashamed when I came to know each of these models and each one of them moved me with their stories." Anand said that shooting the models was quite challenging given the conditions. "They can't sit for a long time so I heard their stories, understood their difficulties and planned the shoot accordingly."
The calendar was released by Perur Adheenam pontiff Dr. Santhalinga Marudasala Adikalar and the first copy was received by Balchand Bothra, Chairman of Mahaveers here.
Swarnalatha said, "This calendar aims to create awareness about inclusion in our society. Eight years ago, I was thrown out of my company and today I have employed many."
The calendars cost Rs.300 each and the proceeds will be utilised for setting up physiotherapy centre for persons affected with neuro-muscular disorders.