New Delhi: To create a feeling of sensitivity and equality in the minds of young children, over 5000 children from different schools along with a contingent of para athletes, children with disabilities, skaters, cyclists and NCC cadets - all under one roof – participated in a 3 km run on Sunday 6 at Major Dhyan Chan National Stadium on the occasion of the International Day of Sports for Development as Change Makers.

Padam Shri and Flying Sikh Milkha Singh flagged off this run in the presence of renowned sports persons like Padma Shri H. N. Girisha, 2012 London Paralympic Silver Medalist high jumper and other distinguished Sports personalities and guests.

The event was organized by the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) supported by the Sports Authority of India and Ministry of Social Justice, Government of India. “We at PCI strongly believe that any change we desire to see in the society should start from our young citizens, our children and youth who bear the burden of crafting a new society on their tender shoulders. A child’s heart is the purest place and we are putting a huge effort to positively influence and bring ample sensitivity in their perception and attitude towards specially-abled and people with impairment,” said Mr. Rajesh Tomar, the President of PCI.

“This entire sports event is designed in a way where we will be teaching and instilling sensitivity in normal children by bringing together normal children and people with impairment, showing them that children with disability can also perform and talking extensively about the issue to them. This is a small but solid step towards creating the sensitivity in children,” added Tomar.

PCI made all arrangements to celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship in a gala manner with a troupe of colourfully adorned horses from 61st Cavalry Regiment at the venue. Alongside, the 9 Garhwal Rifles band played to keep up the spirit of participants. There was an interactive Q&A session at National Stadium after the Run followed by an audio-visual programme on the paralympic movement and a mesmerizing performance by Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi and Diwakar Sharma, the visually impaired Singer of Indian Idol fame.

Among the distinguished guest who were present at the event : Asian Game and Commonwealth Game Champion Mohinder Singh Gill, Stuti Kakkar, Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. Of India, Crickter Ashish Nehra, Former Cricketer Atul Wasan, Sandeep Singh, Member Indian Hockey Team and Sunita Tanwar, Principal, Delhi Public School, Dwarka.

PCI is actively participating in Change Makers campaign of Agitos Foundation, the development arm of International Paralympic Committee (IPC) created to fulfill its strategic goal in terms of development and education. “Change Makers campaign is aimed at gathering and publishing stories from people around the world whose lives have changed due to para-sport participation, as well as sports teams and organisations that use sport for development and peace to change the lives of people with disabilities. Raising awareness of individual stories and projects, the campaign aims to strengthen the network of development in para-sport, to uncover low-profile organisations and shine a light on the progressive work that takes place,” added Tomar.