The National Summit on Accessibility 2025, organised by Svayam in collaboration with CII and UNESCO, concluded with an evening that celebrated 25 years of Svayam’s work to make India more inclusive. The closing event at Taj Palace brought together dignitaries, awardees, and partners who have shaped India’s accessibility movement over the past two decades.
The evening opened with the screening of Svayam’s 25-year Journey Film followed by the unveiling of the organisation’s new logo, symbolising renewed commitment to inclusion and innovation. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa and Minister for Social Welfare, praised Svayam’s role in mainstreaming accessibility into public discourse and called for collaboration between states and civil society to replicate successful models nationwide.
Union Minister of Labour and Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya said, “The National Summit on Accessibility organised by Svayam is a landmark initiative that brought together all stakeholders from policy, industry and the accessibility ecosystem. The recommendations from eminent experts on the need for accessibility and its potential to act as a catalyst for economic growth are both timely and crucial as we collectively work towards building a Visit Bharat 2047. Through initiatives like Khelo India Para Games, Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and National Centres of Excellence for Para Sports in Gandhinagar, the Government of India, under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, is building robust pathways that enable talent to flourish. As Svayam completes 25 years of its existence, I am particularly pleased to acknowledge its enduring partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in making India’s sporting ecosystem more accessible for all. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Svayam on its outstanding contribution to the cause of accessibility, inclusion and empowerment and in their instrumental role of ensuring that our athletes can train, compete and excel with dignity and independence”
Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Minister for of Civil Aviation further added, ”Let me begin by commending Svayam for its remarkable work over the last 25 years under the passionate and purposeful leadership of Sminu Jindal, whose consistent efforts have given more strength to the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan. The theme of the Summit; Removing Barriers, Realizing Potential; perfectly aligns with the vision of our honorable Prime Minister. In the last 11 years, India has moved from a mindset of empathy to a mindset of empowerment, with the replacement of the word ‘Viklang’ with ‘Divyang’ in 2014 symbolizing not just a change in terminology but a powerful message that every individual is special with his or her unique strength and abilities. Over the past decade, the NDA Government has implemented transformative policies to ensure universal accessibility across infrastructure, transportation, education and digital platforms and in just a span of a decade, the Accessible India Campaign has brought visible changes in the country. As the Minister for Civil Aviation, ease of life for every citizen is my personal commitment and I will continue to ensure that our airports, air travel and the overall aviation ecosystem becomes divyangjan-friendly. India’s achievements in paralympic sports have brought immense pride to the nation, turning ability into inspiration; and this is where I would acknowledge Svayam’s work who has been India’s leading voice for accessibility. I am confident that the Summit’s deliberations will further advance accessibility in sports, tourism, transport and digital inclusion, positioning India as a global model for inclusive growth.”
Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa stated, “Accessibility is critical when we talk about tourism, be it hotels or beaches.The Government of Goa was the first to make beaches accessible for divyangjan.We have always been striving towards making Goa’s beaches walkable and accessible for divyangjan and we remain committed to making more of Goa’s hotels and beaches accessible for Divyangjan.The National Summit on Accessibility in sports and tourism plays a very important role in encouraging the implementation of accessibility throughout the country in the future and is a step towards ensuring the nation’s development in the long run.”
The evening also saw the conferring of Svayam Lifetime Achievement Accessibility awards. The awards were conferred to Avanish Kumar Awasthi, Advisor to Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, KK Muhammad, Former Regional Director (North) of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and to Shri Murlikanth Petkar, India’s first para olympic gold medalist. For the first time ever, the Svayam accessibility awards, now in its fourth year, was conferred to a state for its exemplary work in the field of work in accessibility. The first ever award in this category was given to the state of Goa for inclusion of accessibility features in the infrastructure ecosystem of the state, especially in sports and tourism.
The evening also featured the announcement of the Prithvi Raj Jindal Visionary Scholarships, instituted in partnership with O.P. Jindal Global University to support students researching universal design and accessibility innovation. This was followed by a cultural performance that brought artists with and without disabilities on stage together in a shared celebration of inclusion.
The highlight of the night was the Svayam Accessibility Awards 2025, honouring individuals and institutions that have demonstrated leadership and innovation in making public spaces, transport systems, and digital platforms inclusive. Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to pioneers who have advanced accessibility through policy, architecture, and social entrepreneurship.
Commenting on the occasion, Sminu Jindal, Founder and Chairperson, Svayam, said, “This milestone belongs to a collective spirit that refused to accept exclusion as normal. When Svayam began its journey, accessibility was a footnote in policy discussions. Today, it stands as a pillar of national planning. The past twenty-five years have been about building awareness; the next twenty-five must be about building results. Every ramp, every accessible bus, every digital tool represents a citizen who can participate with dignity. That is the India we are working towards: equal, capable and complete.”
Delivering the closing remarks, Anav Batra said, “As a son, watching my mother turn her personal challenges into a lifelong commitment to inclusion fills me with immense pride. Svayam’s work is an extension of the values our family has always stood for: service, compassion and responsibility toward the nation.. I am deeply proud to see my mother’s vision grow into a movement that touches lives every day. May Svayam continue to light the path for a society where no one is left behind.”
The evening closed with a vote of thanks and a shared resolution to carry forward the summit’s outcomes through ongoing collaboration between government, industry and citizens. The celebration was not an ending but a renewal; a reminder that accessibility is a journey that defines how a nation grows.
