It was a fashion event with a difference and the purpose was to make a difference as Tamana, an NGO working with differently abled children along with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) organised its annual fashion show on September 15, titled ‘Unity in Diversity’, co-hosted by the Hyatt Regency Delhi.
Bringing together music fashion celebrities and a good cause, the event commenced with a live heartwarming performance by Diwakar of Sa Re Ga Ma Little Champs and H.E. Kenji Hiramatsu, Ambassador of Japan to India graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The show began with an inclusion walk where Patricia Hiramatsu, wife of H.E. Mr Kenji Hiramatsu, H.E. Ms Harinder Singh Sidhu, High Commissioner of Australia and H.E. Ms Joanna Kempkers, High Commissioner of New Zealand to India walked the ramp.
Then it was over to the children of Tamana who exuded confidence while matching their stride with the professional models wearing ensembles created by FDCI designers – 11.11 CellDsgn, Alpana Neeraj, Amit Aggarwal, Kiran Uttam Ghosh, Nitin Bal Chauhan, Payal Pratap Singh, Rajesh Pratap Singh and Rimzim Dadu, along with other designers – Asha Gautam by Gautam Gupta and Asha Rani Gupta, Ridhi Arora and Namita Bansal.
What made this years’ event extra special is that for the first time the ensembles designed and manufactured by the differently-abled at the sublimation unit at Tamana’s Skill Development Centre debuted on the catwalk. The evening concluded with Tamanna, dressed in Amit Aggarwal, expressing her gratitude to the distinguished audience at the show along with actress Soundarya Sharma in Alpana Neeraj ensemble.
Dr Shayama Chona, Founder and President, Tamana explained, “The idea behind the fashion show is ‘We are One’ irrespective of intellectual and physical differences. These kids are born with a mission to remind us that we may have everything, but they are much greater in their purity of heart.”
Sunil Sethi, President FDCI added, “It is delightful to be a part of an event that celebrates inclusion in the most graceful manner, driving home the point that all humans are equal. Dr.Shayama Chona has done wonders with Tamana, an organisation that works selflessly for the specially-abled.”
A little about Tamana, it was established in 1984 by Dr ShayamaChona. As the name suggests, Tamana navigates the dreams and longings of the children with special needs and those of their parents to see them as rehabilitated members of our society. Its contribution in the field of disability was also recognized by the United Nations, that granted it Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council.
Tamana provides comprehensive rehabilitative services to individuals with intellectual impairments, multiple disability and autism. The services provided include special education, therapeutic interventions, skill development and gainful employment, life skills training etc to enable them to become confident and integrated members of society.
