Maharashtra Governor to Launch India’s Road to International Abilympics Finland 2027 at Sarthak’s 18th Foundation Day
National Mission Aims to Build India’s Largest-Ever Contingent for the Global Skills Olympics for Persons with Disabilities
By Antara Tripathy | IBG NEWS
Mumbai, July 2, 2026: Maharashtra will witness a landmark event in the country’s journey towards disability inclusion and skill empowerment as Hon’ble Governor Shri Jishnu Dev Varma inaugurates Sarthak Educational Trust’s 18th Foundation Day on July 3 at the World Trade Center, Mumbai. The occasion will also mark the official launch of India’s Road to the 11th International Abilympics – Finland 2027, setting the stage for India’s most ambitious participation yet in the world’s premier vocational skills competition for Persons with Disabilities.
Organised jointly by Sarthak Educational Trust and the National Abilympic Association of India (NAAI), the event will bring together senior government officials, policymakers, corporate leaders, CSR heads, educational institutions, disability advocates, NGOs, industry experts and Persons with Disabilities to strengthen India’s inclusive skilling and employment ecosystem.
National Collaboration for Inclusive Growth
The initiative enjoys the support of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Tata Power Community Development Trust (TPCDT), Honda India Foundation, Pay Autention, and the World Trade Center Mumbai, reflecting a collaborative effort between government, industry and civil society to expand opportunities in education, employment, entrepreneurship and vocational training for Persons with Disabilities.
India Targets Record Performance at Finland 2027
The launch follows India’s best-ever performance at the 10th International Abilympics held in Metz, France, where Team India secured one Gold, two Silver, three Bronze medals, along with a Certificate of Excellence, finishing seventh among 27 participating countries.
Building on that success, the National Abilympic Association of India has initiated an extensive nationwide talent identification and training programme aimed at sending India’s largest-ever contingent to the 11th International Abilympics in Finland in 2027.
Competitors are being trained across 28 internationally recognised vocational skill categories, including Engineering Design, Photography, Desktop Publishing, Character Designing, Bakery, Patisserie and Confectionery, Restaurant Services, Hairdressing, Massage Therapy, Tailoring and several other professional disciplines.
Wild Card Talent Search to Discover Hidden Talent
To ensure that no deserving candidate is overlooked, NAAI has launched a National Wild Card Talent Search, reaching out to IITs, universities, technical institutes, skilling centres, NGOs, rehabilitation organisations and corporate partners across India.
The initiative also places special emphasis on identifying talented individuals with neurodiverse conditions, recognising their exceptional abilities in technology, digital innovation, design, creativity and precision-based occupations.
Live Skill Demonstrations by National Champions
One of the highlights of the Foundation Day celebrations will be the National Abilympics Skill Exhibition, where more than 25 National Abilympics champions will demonstrate their award-winning skills through live presentations.
Visitors will witness expertise in Painting and Waste Reuse, Photography, Crochet, Dress Making, Desktop Publishing, Character Designing, Patisserie and Confectionery, along with several other internationally benchmarked vocational trades.
The exhibition aims to showcase the capabilities of Persons with Disabilities before policymakers, employers and industry leaders while promoting inclusive employment opportunities.
Leadership Dialogues on Inclusion and Employment
The event will feature five high-level panel discussions focusing on key aspects of disability inclusion:
- Powering Inclusion: Policy, Partnerships & Purpose
- India on the Global Skill Map: The Road to Abilympics Finland 2027
- From Ability to Employability: Making Inclusive Hiring Work
- Tech4Good & Media Narrative: Building Disability Confidence
- Change-makers – Future Leaders: Leading Change, Transforming Lives
A significant policy discussion will also examine the importance of an accurate disability census as the foundation for evidence-based policymaking and inclusive development. Experts are expected to discuss improved enumeration practices while drawing lessons from the Election Commission of India’s accessibility initiatives to ensure every eligible Divyang citizen is identified and connected to government opportunities.
Corporate India Invited to Join the Mission
The Foundation Day programme will also serve as a nationwide appeal to corporate India to support Team India through sponsorships, mentorship, technology partnerships, industry exposure and specialised skill training.
Educational institutions, universities, NGOs and employers have been invited to nominate deserving candidates through the Wild Card Selection process, broadening the talent pool for Finland 2027.
“No Talent Should Be Left Behind”
Speaking ahead of the event, Dr. Jitender Aggarwal, Founder and CEO of Sarthak Educational Trust and Secretary General of the National Abilympic Association of India, said the organisation aims to send India’s strongest-ever team to Finland with world-class training and institutional support.
He emphasised that the Wild Card Talent Search seeks to identify skilled Persons with Disabilities—including individuals with neurodiverse conditions—who may otherwise miss the opportunity to compete. He also underlined the need for an accurate disability census to ensure every eligible Divyang is recognised, empowered and connected to meaningful opportunities.
Eighteen Years of Empowering Persons with Disabilities
Over the past 18 years, Sarthak Educational Trust has emerged as one of India’s leading organisations working in disability inclusion through education, skill development, employment and advocacy.
The organisation today operates through more than 25 centres across the country and has:
- Empowered over 100,000 Persons with Disabilities
- Supported more than 7,000 children through its Early Intervention Programme
- Developed three digital platforms for accessibility and employment
- Built partnerships with 1,100+ NGOs and 5,000 corporate organisations
Strengthening India’s Inclusive Future
Expected to attract leading corporates, policymakers, CSR leaders, academic institutions, disability organisations and civil society groups, Sarthak’s 18th Foundation Day is poised to become a significant national platform for advancing inclusive skilling, employment, accessibility and global competitiveness.
With the launch of India’s Road to International Abilympics Finland 2027, the initiative reinforces the country’s commitment to recognising ability over disability and preparing its most talented competitors to excel on the global stage.
