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NCPEDP launches Javed Abidi Fellowship on Disability 2.0: A pioneering initiative to empower youth with disabilities

National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) launches the Javed Abidi Fellowship on Disability 2.0 on National Youth Day

NCPEDP launches Javed Abidi Fellowship on Disability 2.0: A pioneering initiative to empower youth with disabilities

New Delhi : India’s youth, embodying boundless energy and potential, stand at the forefront of the nation’s transformative journey. With over 65% of the population under 35 years of age, they hold the key to shaping an inclusive and self-reliant future. Recognizing this immense power, the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) launches the Javed Abidi Fellowship on Disability 2.0 on National Youth Day. Rooted in Swami Vivekananda’s clarion call, “Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached,” the fellowship envisions empowering young leaders with disabilities to steer India towards a Viksit Bharat.

 

Launched initially in 2021, the Javed Abidi Fellowship on Disability is a pioneering initiative in Asia, designed to build the leadership capacities of youth with disabilities. Fellowship 1.0 empowered participants by equipping them with skills in planning, strategizing, networking, and relationship-building. Many of these young leaders have since made significant strides in advocacy, policy-making, and grassroots leadership, showcasing the transformative impact of empowering youth with disabilities.


Building on this success, Fellowship 2.0 offers an enhanced 15-month program, providing participants with advanced training in evidence-based advocacy, policy analysis, research methodologies, and campaign strategies. The only fellowship program in the world of its kind, the Javed Abidi Fellowship welcomes youth with disabilities aged 18–28 years, with a minimum qualification of matriculation, as defined under the RPWD Act, 2016. The fellowship provides a platform for fellows to independently choose their research topics, enabling a unique, hands-on advocacy experience that is both transformative and empowering. Key features of the fellowship include: A monthly stipend of up to Rs 25,000; personalised mentorship by experts in the field; Practical opportunities for advocacy and impact-driven projects.

 

Highlighting the significance of this initiative, Arman Ali, Executive Director, NCPEDP, stated, “The Javed Abidi Fellowship on Disability 2.0 is more than a program - it is a movement. It honors the legacy of Javed Abidi by creating a platform where youth with disabilities can lead research and advocacy that challenges norms and advances inclusion. This initiative reflects our commitment to building the next generation of leaders who will redefine accessibility and equity in India and beyond.”

 

Swami Vivekananda’s timeless message of empowerment aligns seamlessly with the fellowship’s goals of encouraging inclusivity and leadership. As the Worker Population Ratio for persons with disabilities stood at just 22.8% in 2019, the initiative seeks to equip them with tools, support, and confidence to bridge this gap and become catalysts for change in their communities.

 

BI Bureau