Mumbai, 10th October– Tata Power Community Development Trust (TPCDT) collaborated with the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID) to host an inclusive Fun and Awareness fair at Navi Mumbai regional centre, under the flagship 'Pay Autention', India’s first phygital Autism Support Network. Launched in 2022, Pay Autention aims to create grassroot awareness on Autism by creating a network of support champions & synergies through government and non-govt organizations. The event, which was a major milestone in the Pay Autention journey, aimed to promote art, dance, music, and play therapies for holistic development of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other intellectual disabilities.
The event, graced by the esteemed presence of Mr. Rajesh Aggarwal (IAS) - Secretary, Government of India (Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities), and Mr. Himal Tewari, CHRO and Chief - CSR & Sustainability Tata Power, witnessed a vibrant display of inclusive activities, workshops designed to showcase the positive impact of integrated alternate therapies on the lives of special children and explained how it can be easily used by parents, care-takers and teachers as part of home based care and by the youth themselves for selfsupport. The inclusive fun fair seamlessly integrated into Tata Volunteering Week, fostering a spirit of inclusivity among volunteers, alongside their family members - who actively participated, enriching the community through shared experiences and contributing to the broader scope of Pay Autention initiative. In his address, Mr. Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Government of India (Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities) said, "Witnessing the collaborative journey of Tata Power’s Pay Autention and NIEPID is heartening.
The teams are developing a dynamic phygital platform that will make first level support and guidance for intellectually challenged available across regions through its network. Such collective efforts further multi sectoral involvement & awareness regarding inclusivity for neurodiverse and autistic people and we urge more influencers to join the cause." In a resounding testament to Tata Power's ethos Mr. Himal Tewari, CHRO, and Chief - CSR & Sustainability, expressed, "At Tata Power, we believe in enabling inclusive development and our ‘Pay Autention’ network is a significant stride in this direction—a path where different minds count, and their talent is celebrated. Our collaboration with NIEPID underscores our profound belief in the transformative power of Public Private Partnerships to weave inclusivity into our societal fabric. This milestone is a shot in the arm for us to advance our phygital and multi-sectoral approach to further mainstream society’s engagement with this cause.”
The inclusive fun fair served as a platform to demonstrate the effectiveness of art therapies in promoting sensory integration, communication skills, and overall well-being for individuals on the Autism spectrum. Various art and play therapy stations were set up, allowing children to engage in creative activities that cater to their unique needs. Taking the initiative to a larger dialogue, the event also hosted a panel discussion on the topic ‘Creative Arts based Home Care and Self Support for Neurodiverse Individuals’ with cross-domain experts and practitioners like Ms. Paramita Majumdar, Principal – Sunshine School for Special Children, Ms. Devika Mehta Kadam, Co-Founder of ‘Synchrony’, Program Head -St. Xaviers College, Ms. Sohini Chakraborty, Founder, Sanved. Highlighting the synergy of arts in inclusion, the event also featured a Shiamak Davar Dance & Music Workshop by Victory Arts Foundation forNIEPID Students, Teachers, and Volunteers.
This workshop aimed to empower participants and showcase the transformative potential to channelize energy and creative expression with sense of community and joy. The event also saw other experiential sessions conducted by differently abled artists like rock painting, doodling, DIY Diya Painting Workshops etc. Tata Power's Pay Autention initiative continues to lead the way in raising awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder and fostering a supportive community for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The collaboration with NIEPID marks a significant step forward in the journey towards a more inclusive and aware society
