Sat Jan 25 12:25:50 UTC 2025: ## Chennai to Host Awards Ceremony for Inclusive Arts Program

**Chennai, January 25, 2025** – Over 200 children will gather in Chennai on February 2nd for the awards ceremony of “Art to Connect 2.0,” a unique initiative fostering inclusivity in arts and education. The program, culminating at the Kalakshetra Foundation, pairs children from mainstream schools with their peers who have special needs.

This year’s event saw participation from over 100 schools and 300 “buddies” across major Indian cities, a significant increase from the 2020 launch. The program involves collaborative projects in music, dance, painting, and singing, with awards presented in categories such as “Harmony and Diversity” and “Inclusive Creativity.” Four teams have been selected as national winners.

The initiative, founded by Nirmala Krishnan, aims to reduce inequalities (SDG 10.3) and promote empathy, art, and cultural understanding. Student testimonials highlight the transformative impact of the program, with participants recounting overcoming personal fears and developing deep bonds with their buddies. One student described adapting her communication style to make her buddy feel safe, while another detailed the patience required to teach dance steps to a dyslexic peer.

The program’s expansion demonstrates its growing success, with Tamil Nadu boasting the highest participation this year, following Pune’s lead in 2024. Krishnan emphasizes the importance of mainstream schools actively seeking out partnerships with special needs schools to facilitate participation. The ultimate goal, she says, is to cultivate compassion and empathy in the children and inspire future inclusive policies. The program even includes a pledge for participants to advocate for inclusive policies in their future careers. An international winner from Tajikistan further exemplifies the program’s expanding global reach.

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