World Malayalee Council – India Region | WMC Haryana Province: Empowerment Through Inclusion and Social Commitment

The gathering brought together an esteemed group of leaders, dignitaries, and social advocates with a shared purpose: to reaffirm collective responsibility toward the empowerment and inclusion of persons with special needs. The presence of the Honourable Chief Guest, Vice Chancellor Professor Rajibir Singh ji, along with distinguished guests Sri. Anubhav Mehta ji, Sri. Gyanendra Purohit ji, Mrs. Megha Bhandari ji, Sri. Sanjay Kumar ji, and the respected Professor Dr. Susan Joseph madam, added gravitas to the occasion. Special appreciation was also extended to Sri. P. R. Nath, other dignitaries, representatives from various organisations, and the beloved inmates of MDD Balabhavan, whose lives and aspirations formed the heart of the discussions.

At the outset, gratitude was expressed to all participants for coming together to deliberate on the rights, dignity, and special privileges of persons with social needs—individuals who deserve not sympathy, but sustained support and inclusion. The event marked a significant milestone for the World Malayalee Council (WMC) India Region, particularly through the successful organisation of a One-Day Symposium on the Empowerment of the Disabled by WMC Haryana Province. This initiative, rooted in the ongoing and impactful work at MDD Balabhavan, stood as a model of meaningful social engagement. The contribution of Shri. Padmakumar, President of WMC India Region, in announcing further visionary initiatives was acknowledged with appreciation, and heartfelt congratulations were extended to WMC Haryana Province and the “Man of the Day,” Mr. P. R. Nathan, for his selfless service.

The program was further strengthened by the participation of WMC leaders from global, regional, and provincial levels. Special recognition was given to Shri. Kannatt Surendran, Global Vice Chairman of WMC, whose leadership and presence underscored the organisation’s unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes. Alongside him, leaders such as WMC CNEC Susan Joseph, WMC IR Women’s Forum President Mrs. Geetha Ramesh, Delhi Province President George Kuruvilla, General Secretary Ramesh Koyikkal, members of WMC Haryana Province, trustees of MDD Balabhavan, and the President of the newly chartered WMC Nepal Province, Fr. Roby, collectively contributed to the event’s success.

The symposium emphasized that empowering the disabled is not an act of charity, but a matter of rights and social justice. Statistics—whether global or national—serve only as reminders that behind every number lies an individual with immense potential, often constrained by physical barriers, inaccessible systems, and social stigma. Rehabilitation, therefore, must be comprehensive, encompassing healthcare, inclusive education, vocational training, and economic opportunities.

The discussions converged on a clear message: policies alone are insufficient without a shift in societal mindset. True inclusion rests on three pillars—accessible infrastructure and technology, inclusive and sensitized workplaces, and a transformation in social attitudes. Above all, society must move from pity to respect, from exclusion to participation.

The event concluded with a reaffirmation of WMC India Region’s commitment to sustained social projects and humanitarian service. It called upon policymakers, institutions, and citizens alike to dismantle barriers and build an inclusive society—one where disability is not defined by limitation, but by the collective responsibility to ensure dignity, equality, and opportunity for all.