New Delhi : Tamana, a charitable, non-profit voluntary organisation, presented a fashion show “I Have A Dream” previewing the collections of renowned fashion designers at Hyatt Regency, Delhi in the gracious presence of Mr. Thaawarchand Gehlot, Honourable Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India and Ms. Stuti Kacker, Honourable Secretary, Department of Disability Affairs, MSJE, Govt. of India.

The annual fashion show of Tamana is a platform for showcasing inclusion- an effort to integrate fashion in the world of differently abled. It is a step forward towards raising public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with special needs. This year’s theme I Have A Dream showcases the belief that every individual irrespective of caste, creed, colour, abilities, disabilities has the right to participate fully in the community, make the same choices and avail the same opportunities. It is a portrayal of the organization’s longing desire and dream of an inclusive society symbolizing oneness in the modern world. This initiative by Tamana is an initiative to make the society aware of specially abled invidual’s talents, their skills and for them to be accepted fully by the society.

The evening opened with enlightening the path of inclusion by the students of Tamana. The special guests joined the students of Tamana on the stage bearing torches with the song “Taare Zameen pe” being played at the background. Some of the special guests who joined the students of Tamana on stage were Mr. Shiv Jatia and Mrs. Archana Jatia, Mr. Sudhir Mathur, Mr. Sunil Sethi, Mr. Aditya Ghosh, Dr. Ashok Chauhan and Mrs. Amita Chauhan, Mr. Bernard Philip to name a few. This was followed by invocation by the talented students of Tamana on the song “Bande Hain Hum Uske”. It was followed by Naga Dance by Tamana and EWS students depicting Reverse Integration. Public Awareness film on Inclusion, “Even Me”, directed by Ms Gauri Chadha was inaugurated by Ms Stuti Kacker, Secretary, Department of Disability Affairs, Ministry for Social Justice and Empowerment. Inclusion walk by specially enabled students of Tamana along with the Principals and students of leading schools of India followed the inauguration. Tamana’s early intervention students accompanied by their mothers also walked the ramp followed by a Barbie Dance.

The Chief Guest, Honourable Mr. Thaawarchand Gehlot, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India, addressed the guests and students followed by the Award presentation.

Following the ceremony India’s leading designers came together to support this worthy cause. The participating designers were – Tarun Tahiliani, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Payal Pratap Singh, Namrata Joshipura, Pankaj & Nidhi, Payal Jain and Anuradha Ramam. The evening progressed with the main fashion show where the specially abled students of Tamana took to the runway, walking shoulder to shoulder with professional models. Actor Mohit Marwah of the movie Fugly fame lended his support by participating in the fashion show as the showstopper for Tarun Tahiliani. The show concluded by ramp walk and expression of gratitude of Tamana Chona.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Shayama Chona, President, Tamana said: “The 2014 show ‘I have a dream’ is a portrayal of the organization’s longing desire and dream of an inclusive society. It symbolizes oneness in the modern world where the Tamana students showcase the latest fashion trends along with professional models and renowned fashion designers. In the inclusion walk which is an important component of our show, we have invited students of mainstream schools to hold hands of Tamana students and walk the ramp. The holding the hands of the specially enabled and abled, requires in the first place awareness of the existence of the specially enabled; then acceptance, tolerance, and appreciation of their presence and different abilities; and finally enabling them through the support of families, society, special schools and regular schools. Through this show we endeavor to enlighten a selected few about the hidden and overlooked potential of the special needs individual, though a lot still needs to be done. We request you to join us and be the part of our rainbow so that its colors become more vibrant. ”

The Hyatt Regency, Delhi as part of the CSR is committed to help the cause and showed tremendous generosity and support for the show.