International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Magic show stresses social inclusion of differently abled
The national capital was transformed into a hub of inclusivity and wonder on Tuesday, as the celebrations for International Day of Persons with Disabilities took a magical turn.
The grand finale of the “Inclusive India” campaign, led by renowned magician and social activist Gopinath Muthukad, captivated audiences with a spellbinding performance designed to raise awareness about social inclusion for the differently abled.
The two-month-long campaign, which began on October 6 (World Cerebral Palsy Day), had toured the length and breadth of India, staging 42 performances from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. The event aimed to promote a culture of inclusion and acceptance for individuals with disabilities, a mission that Muthukad and his students brought to life in the heart of the nation’s capital.
The evening’s event kicked off with an energetic rendition of “Jai Ho” by students of the Differnet Art Gallery (DAG), an NGO founded by Muthukad. The song was performed in both vocal and sign language, setting the tone for a night of extraordinary performances. The audience was then treated to a series of mesmerising magic tricks by Muthukad himself, including a particularly enchanting act where he appeared to make a watch disappear, only for it to reappear in an entirely different locked box.
After his performance, Muthukad shared a thought-provoking message about the true meaning of inclusivity. “The actual watch we need to see is W-Words, A-Action, T-Thoughts, C-Collaborations, H-Humanity,” he said. “Only after we apply these in our lives, can we achieve true inclusivity.”
The evening also showcased the remarkable talents of students with special needs. Vishnu, a student with cerebral palsy, took the stage to perform a magic trick that left the audience in awe. He made a girl float in the air by removing the box she was standing on — a stunning feat that was a testament to the power of determination and skill. Vishnu, who has performed over 3,000 shows in more than five countries, is a shining example of the success of the “Inclusive India” initiative.
Several dignitaries attended the event, including Minister of State for the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary of the Ministry, spoke about the future of the initiative, announcing plans for local awareness campaigns yatras in 100 cities starting in the New Year.
The performances continued with a beautiful violin piece by Ruksana Anwar, a keyboard performance by Christine Rose, and a tabla performance by Hari Govind. Internet personality and Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar winner Aaditya Suresh also took the stage, singing the popular Bollywood song “Bohot Pyar Karte Hain”.
Muthukad continued the night with a poignant message: “These children are like innocent flowers; we need to remove the barriers of perception and approach them with an open heart.”
The event was a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusivity and how magic —whether through performance or awareness — can bring people together and inspire change.
