Have you ever wondered why each of us has a different thumb impression? It is so unique that there is no other person who is you. How powerful is that? When creation has made each of us so unique, how can we as a society exclude a certain type of people who are identified as differently abled from experiencing regular life? This inquiry has always prompted me to celebrate diversity. Diversity of thoughts, practices, perspectives, forms, and structures. The easiest thing is to dislike what does not fit in your definition.

Few years back, I got in touch with Jai Vakeel Foundation, an organization that works very closely with children with Intellectual Disability (ID). I was surprised to read that 1 in 50 children people in India are affected by ID. What we consider easy, is very difficult for these children. That is where Jai Vakeel steps in to train these children in basic day-to-day activities like feeding, sitting, walking, going to the toilet, learning to read and write, and subsequently moving on to skill building and making them employment-ready. 

Most children who come here are from families that are on the lower economic strata. Due to financial constraints and social taboos, many of these children are abandoned, abused, or simply ignored. Jai Vakeel's presence has given them a new lease of life and support.  

Not all of us may be able to run an institution, but the least we can do is to support those who are doing it. I feel for these children who are just so pure that they can never understand the cunning ways of life. Let us open our hearts and wholeheartedly support Jaivakeel so that they can expand and recreate such centers across the country.