whats_new

The “Purple Runway of Dreams” was a transformative event that challenged social perceptions; this beauty pageant-cum-fashion show provided visually impaired participants with an opportunity to showcase their talent, unique styles and personalities on the ramp
Radio Udaan, an initiative under the Udaan Empowerment Trust, hosted the 8th Radio Udaan Convention 2025—a two-day event, in Panchkula. The convention celebrated diversity, empowerment, and the redefinition of beauty standards. Established with a mission to empower visually challenged individuals, Radio Udaan offers a platform that fosters inclusion and provides opportunities for growth and self-expression.
read complete article here 
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/panchkula-radio-u…

Hello Everyone!

Greetings from Radio Udaan, India’s first-ever online disability community radio. We are delighted to bring you the 8th Radio Udaan Convention, a celebration of inclusivity, empowerment, and inspiration.

Many famous Bollywood personalities and disability activists will be part of the event, making it a truly star-studded and impactful gathering.

Visit us at: [www.radioudaan.com](http://www.radioudaan.com)

---

Day 1: February 15, 2025

• - **9:15 AM** - Saraswati Vandana 
• - **9:30 AM** - Welcome Address 
• - **9:30 AM to 11:30 AM Current Challenges and the Road Ahead for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
• - **11:30 AM to 11:45 AM** - Tea Break 
• - **12:30 PM** - Theater Play on Disability Awareness 
• - **1:00 PM** - Lunch Break 
• - **2:00 PM** - Inclusive Game Show 
• - **3:00 PM** - Kavi Sammelan 
• - **5:00 PM** - Cake Ceremony 
• - **5:15 PM** - Cultural Evening 
• - **7:00 PM** - Dinner 

---

Day 2: February 16, 2025

• - **9:00 AM** - Welcome Song 
• - **9:15 AM** - Welcome Address 
• - **9:30 AM** - RJ Honours Ceremony 

  - Success Stories and Presentations 

• - **10:00 AM** - "Be Smart on Smarton" 
• - **10:30 AM** - Self-Defense Basics for the Visually Impaired 
• - **10:45 AM** - Presentation 
• - **11:00 AM** - Finance Management 
• - **11:30 AM to 11:45 AM** - Tea Break 
• - **12:00 PM** - Importents of Education.
• - **12:15 PM** - Legal rights.
• - **1:00 PM** - Lunch Break 
• - **3:00 PM** - Beauty Pageant (Ms. and Mr. Visionary) 
• - **6:45 PM** - Vote of Thanks 
• - **7:00 PM** - Dinner 

---

Thank you for joining us at the Radio Udaan Convention 2025! 

Let’s continue to work together for a more inclusive and empowered future.

For more updates, visit: [www.radioudaan.com](http://www.radioudaan.com)

Have you applied for jobs but faced rejections everywhere? Radio Udaan and Saarathee invite you to a Baithak on June 14 at 6-7 PM! The Baithak will be a space to ask queries on: • Facing rejection in the job space • Skills required for corporate career • Confidence building • Am I lacking skills? and many more! Saarathee, an inclusive employer committed to hiring people with disabilities will be happy to attend to your queries. So don't miss your chance to jumpstart your career in the corporate world! Register now! https://saarathee.com/pwd-courses/coursedetail?course_code=Baithak_with…

Major Update Alert Just a heads up, I wanted to share a significant development regarding accessibility on Vande Bharat trains.

Back on April 14th, 2024, I filed a complaint with CCPD regarding the absence of quotas for seat reservation and concessions for disabled individuals on Vande Bharat trains. Despite no immediate action or notice being issued, today brings a pleasant surprise!

Railways has revamped their norms, now allocating quotas for disabled passengers in **all** trains. This is a fantastic step towards inclusivity! While the fight for concessions continues, it's heartening to see progress in the right direction.

Here's the link to the original article for more details: [Original Article Link](https://www.thehindu.com/.../differen.../article68142046.ece)

I want to emphasize that this victory belongs to all advocates fighting for accessibility. Let's keep pushing for further positive changes!

Date: March 9th and 10th, 2024
Venue: Hotel Sakura, Gurgaon
The Radio Udaan Convention and Udaan Idol 2024 held at Hotel Sakura in Gurgaon on March 9th and 10th, 2024, was a profound experience that left a thoughtful impact. This two-day event, attended by 500 individuals each day, garnered an impressive 2000 views on YouTube within a single day, emphasizing its significance and reach.
Attendees and Participants 
The convention saw participation from representatives of over 50 organizations, with special focus given to disability-related issues through 5 dedicated stalls. Esteemed guests included over 20 doctors, 20 professors, 5 IAS officers, Bollywood singers, the President and Secretary of IMA Gurgaon, lawyers, bankers, corporate representatives, individual disability rights activists, and RJ from Big FM.
Accommodations & Logistics 
We happily took on the task of arranging accommodations for 150 individuals in luxurious 4-star hotels for a 3-day stay. The event featured thought-provoking discussions, informative presentations, and a special play named "Umeed," highlighting issues of sexual harassment faced by people with disabilities. This made the event more meaningful for everyone, making it special.
Engagement and Talent Showcase 
The event showcased a super talent hunt show where winners were awarded cash prizes of 51k, 31k, and 21k, along with an array of gift hampers. Notably, the Udaan Idol winner received a remarkable opportunity for a singing tour in the USA, courtesy of the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled.
Inauguration and Highlights 
The inauguration ceremony, graced by Secretary DEPWD Shri Rajesh Agarwal, renowned Bollywood singers Mr. Kartik Raman, Mr. Jazim Sharma, Mr. Sarvjit Singh, RJ Nitin from Big FM, and IMA President of Gurgaon Shri Ajay Ji, was a highlight of the event. Special thanks to H.H. Manju Baisa Ji, who graced the event with her presence and bestowed her blessings!
Gratitude &  Acknowledgment 
We extend our warm gratitude to all attendees, participants, and sponsors for their invaluable support. Special thanks to Savlon Swasth India Mission, HDFC Mutual Fund, Mitrajyothi, Deepstambh, Glow Health, and Babosa Commando Force for their generous contributions.
The Radio Udaan Convention and Udaan Idol 2024 was a resounding success, emphasizing the importance of inclusion and raising awareness about disability rights. We look forward to continued collaboration and advocacy in the future.
Live Links –
Udaan  Idol 2024 | Day 1 LIVE
https://youtube.com/live/iGTPGoDSD_w?feature=share
Udaan  Idol 2024 | Day 2 LIVE
https://youtube.com/live/RP2Ize34gZA?feature=share

Radio Udaan Team

It is with great pleasure that we 
Extend this invitation to you to attend the Radioudaan Convention and
Udaan Idol Grand Finale, organized by Udaan Empowerment Trust.
*Event Overview: *
*Date: * March 9th and 10th, 2024
*Venue: * HOTEL SAKURA BY MAPS GROUP, Plot No. - 2019 P, Block A,
Greenwood City, Sector 45, Gurugram, Haryana 122003
The event promises two days filled with inspiration, celebration, and
Talent, all aimed at empowering individuals with disabilities.
*Day 1 - March 9, 2024*
9:30 AM - Sarasvati Bandhana: Join us in a moment of reflection and unity.
9:45 AM - Welcome Address by Danish Mahajan, General Secretary of
Radioudaan: Commence the convention with a warm welcome and an
overview of the agenda.
10:00 AM - Our Achievements: A showcase of UDAAN's accomplishments in
empowering people with disabilities.
10:15 AM to 11:00 AM - Empowering People with Disabilities in Rising
India: Advocacy, Awareness, and Accessibility. Moderated by N.
Annavaram, Faculty at Central University Hyderabad. Panellists: Dr.
Satendra Singh, Director Professor, University College of Medical
Sciences; Mr. Muralidharan Vishwanath, Secretary NPRD; Mr. Gautam
Agarwal, General Secretary NFB Karnataka.
11:00 AM to 12:30 PM - Disabled-Friendly Investment and Insurance
Environment by Piyush Rakhecha, Financial Coach and IIM Alumnus.
12:30 PM to 1:15 PM - Play: "Umeed" Directed and written by Danish
Mahajan: A powerful theatrical performance exploring the lives of
individuals with disabilities.
1:00 PM - Lunch: Networking and refreshments.
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Presentations:
   - Importance of RPWD Act by Mr. Ajay Arora, IAS.
   - Green Mobility by Mr. Rahul Gambhir, Secretary VIBEWA.
   - Filing Complaints in Office of CCPD by Corporate Lawyer and
Accessibility Professional Mr. Amar Jain.
3:00 PM - Game Show by Ms. Minal Singhvi and Mr. Ashish Singla: An
entertaining and inclusive game show promoting teamwork and friendly
competition.
4:00 PM - Cake Cutting and Tea Break: Enjoy a delightful break with
cake and tea.
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM - Cultural Program: A celebration of diversity and
talent through music, dance, and art.
*Day 2 - March 10, 2024*
9:00 AM - Welcome Song: Start the day with an uplifting melody.
9:15 AM - Welcome Address: A brief recap and introduction to the UDAAN
Idol competition.
9:30 AM - Honouring RJs: Recognize and honour the contributions of Mr.
and Ms. Radio Jockeys in promoting inclusivity.
10:00 AM to 12:30 PM - UDAAN Idol - First Round: Witness the initial
performances of talented individuals.
12:30 PM - Lunch: Take a break for a delicious lunch and networking.
1:30 PM to 3:00 PM - UDAAN Idol - Second Round: Watch the top
contestants compete for the coveted UDAAN Idol title.
3:30 PM - Announcement of UDAAN Idol Winners: Celebrate the
exceptional talents and achievements of our winners. The winners will
receive exciting prizes as follows:
   - First Place: ₹51,000
   - Second Place: ₹31,000
   - Third Place: ₹21,000
4:00 PM - Valedictory Session by Ms. Minal Singhvi, Director of
Radioudaan: Conclude the convention with gratitude and a look forward
to the future.
*Guests of Honor: *
- Chief Guest: Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary DEPWD MSJE, Government of India.
- CMO Gurgaon: Dr. Verinder Yadav.
- Dr. Ajay Sharma, Owner of Eye Q Hospital and IMA Gurgaon President.
Dr. Inder Mohan Rastogi.
- Secretary IMA Gurgaon.
- Bollywood Singer: Mr. Jazim Sharma.
- Renowned Singer: Mr. Kartik Raman.
RJ. Nitin famously known as Khurafati Radio Jockey 92.7
- Dr Sarika Verma,ENT Surgeon, Director AllergyDoc Clinics and Social Activist
, along with several guests from the disability sector,
will participate in this two-day event.
We believe your presence would significantly contribute to the success
of our mission. Kindly consider this invitation and honour us with your
presence.
Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to welcoming you
at the Radioudaan Convention and Udaan Idol Grand Finale.
 

🌟 Join us in making a difference! 🌟 We're thrilled to announce the upcoming Radio Udaan Convention and Udaan Idol, and we need YOUR support to make it a grand success! 🎤✨ 🙏 Every little contribution counts, and it's your chance to be a part of something special. Together, we can empower the persons with disabilities and create lasting memories. 💖 Click the link below to show your support: 👉 https://www.gocrowdera.com/campaign/support-the-radio-udaan-convention Your donation will help us bring talented individuals together, celebrate diversity, and foster unity. Let's make a positive impact and uplift voices that deserve to be heard. 🙌 Be a part of this inspiring journey! Share this post, donate, and spread the word. Together, we can make a big difference. #SupportUdaanConvention #UdaanIdol #DonateNow #CommunityUnity

Purplefest Registration start

Purplefest Registration starts

Early bird discount offer till 30th November 2023:
▪Individuals: INR 1000 INR 700
▪Groups of ten members and above: INR 500 INR 300 per head

Registration is free for students with disabilities 

Register in the following link: https://purplefest.goa.gov.in

Typically, dating and marriage for people with special needs has always been a challenge. In spite of being independent and employed, many of them have had to face rejections when it came to finding a life partner. To bridge this gap Punjab-based visually impaired journalist and founder of RadioUdaan, Danish Mahajan launched a matrimony service on his website radioudaan.com a few years ago. “Our matrimony service caters to both individuals with disabilities and warmly welcomes non disabled individuals who want to marry a person with a disability,” shares Danish. The service operates through the website where interested candidates register and share their profile and preferences. “We also organise offline and online matrimony get-togethers for our participants to meet and interact in a safe environment. There is even a personalized service where we assist in connecting potential matches with their consent,” he explains.
At Inclusive Matrimony, the first point of contact is through Facebook messenger. The profiles are then collected and saved on an excel sheet and matched according to religion, language and location. “We then move parents to a WhatsApp group for discussions and interaction. There is also a separate social media group for young adults, where we help them mingle, hold zoom meetings with fun activities, playing antakshari, sharing quizzes and jokes,” says Anu.
prateek
Prateek and Swati
RadioUdaan played cupid for Prateek Agrawal, a Jaipur-based IT professional and entrepreneur, who found the love of his life through the website. In fact, his wife Swati, was the host of a sports show on the channel. Both Prateek and Swati are visually impaired. “I was fascinated with her voice and her in-depth knowledge about sports. The first time we spoke, we ended up talking for hours. A few weeks later, our families became involved. Now we have been married for five years and have a four-year-old child,” shares Prateek.

https://gulfnews.com/friday/friday-partner/how-matrimonial-websites-are…