Exhibitions
Shifting Perspectives
Top to bottom, left to right: A collage of images by Aravind R, Lavanujan Croos and Syed Azhar Husain.
Youth4Jobs, in collaboration with MAP, is showcasing the winners of the Global Ability Photography Challenge. This showcase features winning submissions from amateur and professional photographers. Come, discover the artistic perspectives lensed by these photographers.
Join us on April 19, for the showcase, followed by a series of talks and a panel discussion on entrepreneurship for women with with disabilities.
The showcase will open at 5:00 pm on Friday, April 19, and remain open until Sunday, April 21. A series of talks and panel discussions will follow the opening at 5:30 pm, and the schedule for the evening can be found below.
Programme Schedule for April 19, 2024
Opening of the Showcase
Welcome and Introduction
Meera Shenoy, Founder & CEO, Youth4Jobs Foundation
Keynote Speech
Uma Mahadevan
Artist Talk
Gayatri Gupta and mother Shalini Gupta
About WEDO
Anushka Thachil
On Entrepreneurship for Women with Disabilities (WEDO)
A panel discussion moderated by Sanjana Govindan. Speakers include Liz Albuquerque, Rajika Seth, Mrunmaiy Abroal, Aarti Laxman
On Inclusion and Accessibility in Arts
Shailesh Kulal
Conclusion
Bookings
Bookings are closed for this event.
Meera Shenoy
Meera Shenoy, Founder-CEO, is an acknowledged pioneer in market-linked skill training for rural, tribal and disabled youth and linking them to sustained livelihoods, at scale. She is one of the few in the country who work on policy, strategy and implementation of large projects, integrating technology and markets, for supporting livelihoods of the vulnerable. Her most recent work was supporting the Advisor to the Prime Minister in his capacity as Chairman, NSDA. She was also Senior Advisor, UNDP, Youth Skilling where she focussed on integrating rural girls into government schemes. She worked as the World Bank’s specialist in their poverty alleviation projects. She has written several learning notes for the World Bank, which were circulated globally. Meera Shenoy began her work in skilling as Executive Director of EGMM, the countrys’ first job mission for rural and tribal youth, which she helped set up from scratch for the Andhra Pradesh government in 2004. She took it to scale, influencing policy.
She has spoken at TED events, at the UN, Stanford, MIT amongst others and won several prestigious awards, national and international, for her work. Her last book “You Can Be Smarter & Wiser”, a Bloomsbury publication, is a bestseller in its third edition. It captures inspirational stories of entrepreneurs with disabilities and company leaders who integrate disability into their businesses. She is also founder of Not Just Art, which supports creative talent of photographers with disabilities.
Uma Mahadevan
Ms. Uma Mahadevan, a distinguished Senior IAS Officer and Additional Chief Secretary for Government of Karnataka, is at the forefront of empowering rural communities and promoting women’s entrepreneurship. With over three decades of experience, Ms. Uma has spearheaded various initiatives, including guiding gram panchayats, reviving rural libraries, and empowering women’s groups in local management. Her commitment to inclusive development and women’s empowerment has garnered widespread recognition, reflecting her dedication to making a tangible difference in the lives of marginalised communities. As a seasoned administrator and advocate for social change, Ms. Uma’s insights and leadership make her a valuable addition to any discussion or event focused on rural development, inclusion, and gender equality.
Gayatri Gupta
Gayatri Gupta, a freelance photographer and acrylic artist, is celebrated for her talent in portrait and product photography. With multiple awards under her belt, Gayatri’s unique perspective and ability to capture emotions through her lens have earned her recognition in the industry. Supported by her mentor, Mohit Ahuja, Gayatri’s journey as a photographer defies stereotypes, showcasing her passion and dedication to her craft.
Shalini Gupta
Shalini Gupta, the visionary behind ‘The Art Sanctuary,’ is dedicated to providing platforms for young adults with disabilities to showcase their talents. Inspired by her daughter Gayatri’s passion for art and photography, Shalini embarked on a mission to create inclusive spaces where neurodiverse artists can thrive. Through The Art Sanctuary, a charitable trust and Artytude, a for-profit enterprise, Shalini empowers them with creative skills, fostering independence and self-reliance. Her doctorate in management from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and exposure to the corporate world help her in catalysing change in the neurodiverse space through these initiatives.
Liz Albuquerque
Liz (Elizabeth) Albuquerque is a parent, advocate and board member at various organisations, including Biswa Gouri Charitable Trust, the NGO that runs Bubbles Center for Autism, Pragati Skill Center, and Ek Prayas. She is a facilitator at Pumpkin Patch Design Studio and Mission4life. With over 17 years of experience in supporting individuals with autism and promoting livelihood opportunities, Liz brings a wealth of expertise to her role. As a loving mother to Alyx Albuquerque, Liz is deeply involved in supporting her daughter’s journey as a vibrant entrepreneur. Additionally, Liz pursued special education after Ally came into their lives, further enriching her understanding and advocacy for individuals with disabilities. Her commitment to inclusivity and empowerment shines through her work, making her a valuable voice in the community.
Sanjana Govindan
With over 13 years of dedicated experience in the development sector Sanjana is an advocate for social change and inclusion. Her expertise lies in navigating the intricate landscape of program design and deployment, policy formulation, and strategic partnerships. She specialises in pioneering pilots and fostering innovation to generate tangible, scalable impact. Driven by a passion for building transformative solutions and communities, Sanjana focuses on promoting women’s entrepreneurship. She firmly believes that empowering women with access to dignified and self-sustaining livelihoods can profoundly impact households.
Sanjana serves as a board member for the Association for People with Disabilities, where she lends her expertise to various initiatives, including horticulture, sports programs, and product innovation for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, she contributes to institution building within the organisation. She is also on the board of Friends of Women’s World Banking, an institution that has reimagined, accelerated and enabled entrepreneurship for women across the country.
With a rich background in strategy and entrepreneurship, Sanjana has played pivotal roles in designing and deploying several national projects for women’s entrepreneurship. She contributed to the strategy development of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) initiated by Niti Aayog and served as the Vice President of Women Entrepreneurship at the Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship. Recently, she has been instrumental in scaling the social sector vertical of the Open Network for Digital Commerce, focusing on women entrepreneurs, very small sellers, and those from backgrounds of poverty and vulnerability.
Rajika Seth
Rajika Seth is the head of IDR Hindi, where she is responsible for strategy, editorial direction, and growth. She is a development sector professional with more than 15 years of experience working across the social sector. Rajika has also worked with Accountability Initiative, Centre for Policy Research, Teach for India, the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, and CREA in the past. She has a BA in English Literature from Delhi University and an MA in Development Studies from IDS, University of Sussex.
Mrunmaiy Abroal
PR Head for Devices & Services, Amazon India
Mrunmaiy Abroal is a communications professional with 20 years of experience. A road accident in June 2011 gave her a cervical spinal cord injury, resulting in quadriplegia. However this has not in any way prevented her from growing in her career as a communicator, travel blogger, or a para-athlete. At Amazon India, she heads public relations for Amazon devices and Alexa. Previously she has worked as the Director of communications for South Asia at Opera Software. She blogs at https://mrunmaiy.com/about living with a spinal cord injury, the joys & challenges of traveling with a disability. Mrunmaiy has participated in national and international para athletics championships in the club throw event F51 category and won several medals. She is also a peer mentor to other people with SCI, champions disability-advocacy and PWD inclusion in the workplace, and leads the PWD affinity group for Amazon employees in India.
Aarti Laxman
Aarti Laxman is the founder of Artinci, a leading brand in diabetic-safe sugar-free indulgence. With over 15 years of experience in human resources, Aarti’s transition to entrepreneurship was marked by her unwavering commitment to inclusive products and inclusive employment practices. As an entrepreneur with a hearing disability, she continues to navigate through various challenges, leveraging her unique perspective and determination to create opportunities for marginalised communities. Aarti’s journey serves as an inspiring example of overcoming adversity and advocating for inclusivity in the entrepreneurial landscape. Through her entrepreneurial endeavours, Aarti continues to break stereotypes and pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse business ecosystem.
Anushka Thachil
As the Project Lead for the Women Entrepreneurs with Disabilities (WEDO) initiative at Youth4Jobs Foundation, Anushka spearheads efforts to enhance opportunities for women with disabilities through entrepreneurship. With a background in project management and strategy, she previously served as the Manager for Women Entrepreneurship at the Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship, contributing to national projects like the Women’s Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and raising substantial funding for women’s initiatives. Anushka’s diverse experience includes economic research, academic liaison, and community engagement roles in various sectors, reflecting her commitment to inclusive development. Holding a Master’s degree in International Affairs, complemented by a Bachelor’s in Economics and International Relations from The Pennsylvania State University, she is dedicated to driving meaningful impact and fostering inclusive ecosystems for entrepreneurship and social innovation.
Shailesh Kulal
Shailesh Kulal, hailing from Mangalore, brings a unique blend of corporate expertise and social advocacy to the table. With an impressive 8 years of experience across various sectors, Shailesh has dedicated himself to fostering inclusion and breaking barriers.
As a visually impaired individual, Shailesh’s journey is marked by resilience and determination, inspiring others to embrace diversity and accessibility. Beyond his professional endeavours, Shailesh is a passionate Bhangra dancer, known for his innovative teaching methods, including Blind Bhangra, which encourages sighted individuals to experience dance through a different perspective.
Shailesh’s commitment to volunteerism extends to organising inclusive activities like Blind treks, providing opportunities for both blind and sighted participants to explore the outdoors together. As the founder of Indi Tripper, he curates group trips that emphasise inclusivity and accessibility. In his spare time, Shailesh indulges in hobbies like singing, travelling, and mimicry, where he holds a state-level gold medal.
Currently, he serves as the Inclusion Manager at the Museum of Art & Photography (MAP) in Bengaluru, where his dedication to accessibility and diversity shines through in all his endeavours.
