Withdrawal Syndrome is something I go through once every year. Don’t worry, friends; I’m not on drugs or anything! But there is something that gives, not only me, but the entire team of India Inclusions Summit, the high every year. Of course, the summit itself! This year too, it was no different. Let me take you through the IIS 2018 and re-live the magic in this week’s Monday Truclusions.
Each time, I feel that the quality of speakers at the summit in that particular year have been top notch. But the level of inspiration just goes to the next level every time. The exhilaration I feel when I’m truly motivated is just out of this world, and I will not be exaggerating if I said that every soul present at this year’s IIS felt the same way!
The start itself set the tone for the next two days. All of us were walked into the Friend’s Circle blind folded. This gave us an experience of the world that is internally lit for a person who cannot see the material world.
The India Inclusion Summit Fellowship
The India Inclusion Summit for me is a movement that makes individuals believe in positive vibes and faith, and celebrates the human spirit. The IIS Fellowship is one such example of faith. All five people who were chosen as IIS Fellows this year were exemplary individuals, but I particularly connected with three of them – Aditya, Prachi and Ramya.
Sports, which gave me my best friend Bharath, has a special place in my heart. I could connect with Aditya who organizes and trains kids with special needs really well. Prachi, a dedicated sister, could connect to me emotionally because like my family, she too learnt that inclusion begins at home. Then it was Dr. Ramya, a technologist and an expert in robotics, who is earnestly working towards creating solutions for problems that people with intellectual disabilities face.
Stories Of Wisdom by Rajni Bakshi
Something that really stood out for me was what Rajni Bakshi said on stage. She conveyed her message through a story from Ramayan. The story goes as follows!
Lord Ram was building the bridge across the ocean to reach Lanka and wage a war at the demon king, Ravana, to get back his abducted wife, Seeta. His army was made up only of the animals of the forest. Each one of them was helping and contributing in building the bridge. A group of squirrels came running there with a noble intent of contributing to the effort too. But given their minuscule physique they couldn’t move rocks and boulders to build the bridge.
But truly determined to contribute, they went running into the shallows of the ocean, got wet in the water, and rolled over the sand. The sand stuck to their bodies and then they ran over the rocks that formed the bridge to shake the soft sand off their bodies. This effort softened the path for Ram’s army as they crossed the bridge!
Ram was immensely touched by the gesture of his tiny soldiers and he very affectionately petted them.
The message that the true Gandhian, Rajni Bakshi, wanted to convey was that no matter how small or big an effort or contribution is, the intent of trying to contribute matters most! The attitude of contributing to something that is larger than oneself is what matters. She beautifully conveyed that sometimes we don’t realize our true abilities and give up on things. If we persist and passionately work towards our goal, we can never fail.
Zoyeb – A Brilliant Mind In A Disobedient Body
Next it was Zoyeb, a brilliant mind stuck in a disobedient body. He was affected by a rare neurological medical condition called Atexia, a condition that changed his life all of a sudden. From a normal school going child, he suddenly changed into a person who seemed to be always drunk and out of his senses! It seemed so because one of the symptoms of Atexia is losing the clarity of speech and the balance while walking. Slowly, he lost his mobility and the wheelchair became a part of him.
In spite of the challenging circumstances, his mind did not give up, but made him more determined to face his fears. The fact that he went on to get an MPhil degree and pursue a PhD proves beyond doubt that if you truly believe in your ability, nothing is impossible.
Before Zoyeb was diagnosed with his condition, he hid his problem for some time. He shared that he realises now that it was a great mistake and urges everyone to ask for help when you need it.
Caroline Casey – How Mowgli Led To Inclusive Companies!
My narration about the summit will be incomplete without mentioning Caroline Casey. A TED speaker and a true inspiration in every right! Her journey was even more special because she considers our motherland, India, her source of inspiration. She draws her inspiration from the legendary character, Mowgli, that was created in the forests of India. Her father never told her for a long time after diagnosis, that she would lose her eyesight. But when she finally got to know her dad told her to live her life being herself.
She came to India wanting to live her dream of being Mowgli. She travelled a 1000 kilometres on the back of an elephant; this was the journey she set out to find herself. This was the journey that led to her finding her new dream of getting disability on the agenda of 500 top companies!
Food For Thought
After listening to all of them, I asked a question to myself. What was the one common driving force behind all these people and all the achievers at India Inclusion Summit? It was their “dream” that kept them going; the energy that pushed their limits to make their own destiny.
As the legend Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam said, ”Dreams are not those that you see while asleep, but those that don’t let you sleep.”
Do you have dreams?
Liked reading this? Then you might also like to read Monday Truclusions – Walking Together At The Inclusive Walkathon In Bengaluru
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