Page 29 - Sportability

CHAMPIONING INCLUSIVITY: “ELEVATING PARA-ATHLETES:
COLONEL ASHOK MOR’S JOURNEY THE ROLE OF NATIONAL
FROM MILITARY EXCELLENCE TO RECOGNITION IN SHAPING NEW
EMPOWERING SPECIAL NEEDS PERSPECTIVES”

“Sports is an equalizer. It brings
together people from all backgrounds,
“We ensure equal opportunity it cuts across socio-economic barriers,
and equal appreciation to all it cuts across geographic barriers.”
in this environment.” Ms Himika Chaudhuri
General Manager (Media and Communication)
Colonel Ashok Mor National Film Development Corporation,
Principal, Motilal Nehru School of Sports Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Colonel Ashok Mor reflected on his career and Rishabh Gulati struck up a discussion with
his personal experiences as well as his early army days. Ms Himika Chaudhury over the changing
Despite losing his leg during a border operation in 1994, national narrative around para-athletes and the
he kept up his athletic prowess and set a 36-year school influence of high-profile encounters on public
record for the 100 meters. In 1996, he was instrumental opinion.
in bringing back foreign prosthetic limbs for Indian
soldiers, a move that has proven to be extremely Speaking on the larger national scene, Ms Chaudhury
beneficial to the armed forces. considered recent occurrences, such as the Prime
Minister’s meetings with para-athletes. She said that
Colonel Mor also talked about his work with para- public perceptions of people with special needs have
athletes, supporting Asian shot put and discus medallist shifted dramatically as a result of these high-profile
Nayab Subedar Virendar, among others. gatherings. Increasingly, people are recognizing
their accomplishments and abilities rather than
Colonel Mor has advanced social inclusion for kids with concentrating on their impairments. The terminology
exceptional needs in addition to his contributions to and attitudes around persons with disabilities are
parasports. He suggested that special schools in the also evolving, from “viklang” to “divyang,” which
armed forces be integrated with ordinary schools; this emphasizes their unique skills rather than their
initiative is currently in progress. The purpose of this limitations.
program is to encourage children with special needs to
participate in sports and inclusive education. Ms Chaudhury related a story about Sharad, a Modern
School para-athlete who had witnessed this change
Notable is also Colonel Mor’s participation in the in perspective. Sharad and his competitors were
National Cadet Corps. He pushed for the inclusion of deeply moved by a call they received from the Prime
NCC as an elective in the curriculum, a move that the Minister following their participation in the Tokyo
CBSE and several state governments have embraced. Paralympics. A US gold medalist was shocked that a
national leader would personally approach an athlete
Speaking candidly, Colonel Mor described his when he arrived late to the medal podium because
experience raising a son with special needs. Colonel of the call. This narrative emphasizes the dignity and
Mor and his wife were committed to helping their son respect that para-athletes are currently accorded,
grow, even in the face of early obstacles and medical underscoring the advantages of national recognition.
advice that said their boy might never learn to walk.
They showed their dedication to conquering challenges Rishabh Gulati talked about the reforms’ wider
and supporting their child’s development by teaching ramifications. He explained the cycle in which
their son to swim at an early age. improved financing, facilities, coaching, and scientific
backing result in improved performance and,
Colonel Mor’s narrative demonstrates his unrelenting eventually, increased status. Future generations are
commitment to helping people with special needs and motivated by this increased status, starting a positive
his dedication to diversity in both his personal and feedback loop that raises the bar for the country’s
professional life. para-athletic accomplishments.

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