5 students of Manovikas Kendra selected for Purple Fest 2025
Balodabazar. Five students from the Manovikas Kendra, Balodabazar, have been selected to participate in the prestigious Purple Fest 2025. The event is being held in Goa from October 9th to 12th, 2025. Before departing for Goa for the fest, the selected students met with Collector Deepak Soni on Thursday. Collector Mr. Soni congratulated the students, calling their selection for the fest a major achievement for the district.
Nodal Officer of the Manovikas Kendra, Asha Shukla, stated that the center’s students, Kuldeep Nirmalkar, Tushar Sen, Pushkar Kumar Sahu, Lokesh Kumar Verma, and Kishan Yadav, have been selected to participate in Purple Fest 2025. Yoga teacher Mr. Lalit Kumar Sahu and Center Head Mr. Durga Shankar Patnaik will also participate in the event. Representing the Manovikas Kendra and the Balodabazar-Bhatapara district, the selected students will present a 15-minute yoga demonstration that will highlight the capabilities of persons with disabilities and the spirit of inclusion. This partnership will be a proud moment for the Manovikas Initiative and the district administration, and will provide these students with international recognition and experience.
Purple Fest 2025 is envisioned as a vibrant celebration of the creativity, talent, and empowerment of persons with disabilities. The event is being organized in collaboration with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of India, the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, the Office of Persons with Disabilities, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and the United Nations India. The objective of Purple Fest is to promote inclusion, accessibility, and empowerment of persons with disabilities. This festival aims to spread awareness, showcase their talents, and work towards building a society where every individual has the right to live a life with dignity and equal opportunities. It is noteworthy that under the guidance of Collector Deepak Soni, the district administration is operating a Manovikas Center in Balodabazar under CSR funds for the development and rehabilitation of children with special needs. This center provides special education, medical assistance, vocational training, and holistic development facilities to over 45 children. The center opened in January 2025 and has already shown positive results in a short time. Special education, therapy services, vocational training, psychological counseling, and sports and cultural activities are offered. Children are also involved in skill development programs to help them become self-reliant.
