Candor TechSpace, the leading provider of IT/ITES office spaces, hosted a special event to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities at Roseate House, Aerocity in New Delhi, on 28th November. The event saw distinguished persons from various walks of life engage in a stimulating dialogue on the role of infrastructure in facilitating the inclusion of people with disabilities and sensitizing the masses on the need for the same. The event hosted a few specially-abled achievers from across various domains, along with about several CEOs and top corporate executives.
The event began with a panel discussion on the topic ‘Transformation towards Sustainable and Resilient Society for All’, wherein the speakers shared some extraordinary stories from their lives and their experiences of continually challenging the stereotypes associated with disability and their remarkable achievements in life. Among the panelists at the event was Ira Singhal, the first differently-abled woman to top the Civil Services exam in the general category. She is also the first physically challenged person to join the Indian Revenue Services. Internationally renowned table tennis player Suvarna Raj, who participated in the Asian Para Games 2014 in Korea and won two medals in the Thailand Para Table Tennis Open 2013, Dorodi Sharma Former Disability Rights Specialist, United Nations,Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Officer (MEAL Officer), International Disability Alliance, Nipun Malhotra – Co-founder and CEO, Nipman Foundation (A Foundation for health and advocacy for persons with disabilities) and Mr Vittalkumar A Dhage – VP, Sustainability, Accenture Workplace solution were also a part of the panel.
Speaking on the event, Mr. Shantanu Chakraborty – VP – Brookfield Properties said, “At Candor TechSpace, we have consistently worked towards promoting a culture of inclusivity. We firmly believe that differently-abled people have the ability to excel in any field irrespective of their physical constraints. The event is just one among many of our efforts to support differently-abled individuals and celebrate their remarkable achievements across various domains. As an organization, we also believe in practicing what we preach. To this end, the infrastructure at Candor TechSpace has been designed with a strong emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility, as the office spaces are equipped with wheelchair parking areas, access ramps at entrances and specially built washrooms. To further our commitment to this cause, we have embarked on a program to make our campuses including existing buildings compliant with Harmonious guidelines in the future.”
Ms. Ira Singhal said during the panel discussion, “I believe that disability is more a mental state rather than a physical one. When we speak of equal opportunities for people with disabilities, we also need to consider the environment and the infrastructure around us, which for the most part, is not disabled-friendly and constricts them greatly. We have a habit of judging people’s capabilities solely based on their physical attributes, and it’s a habit we need to get rid of soon. Unless you don’t create an infrastructure that is easily accessible to everyone, you are not allowing them to realize their full potential. When the infrastructure is made in a way that allows everyone equal access, they will be ‘able’ enough to pursue their goals, irrespective of their physical disabilities.”
Speaking on her experiences, Ms. Suvarna Raj said, “Accessibility in the physical infrastructure is extremely crucial to ensure a dignified life and opportunities for people with disabilities. It goes without saying that there is a need for basic infrastructure in the country such as schools, hospitals, commercial spaces, transportation, etc. to be more disabled-friendly. I believe that the government, as well as those who are responsible for delivering infrastructure, need to incorporate the perspectives of differently-abled individuals by listening to their experiences, and keeping their interests in mind when taking major decisions related to infrastructure. The private sector is leading the charge for the cause of inclusivity in the industry and the government should look to collaborate with leading players in the infrastructure space to bring about change on a large scale.”
To further celebrate the extraordinary abilities of differently-abled people, the panel discussion was followed by a beautiful performance act by “We Are One”, a differently abled group consisting of wheelchair users and hearing & speech-impaired artists. The group has the unique distinction of having a “Guinness Book of World Record” under its belt.
Taking forward the legacy of its parent company Brookfield Properties, Candor TechSpace has emerged as a prominent name in the business space and workspace solution provider segment, offering built-to-suit and customizable state-of-the-art office spaces with superior landscaping and world-class amenities. Its vast clientele includes top global companies such as Amazon, Accenture, Barclays, Genpact, Mercer, Aricent, Alight, Evalueserve, Sapient, Fidelity, TCS, Capgemini, and Cognizant, among others.
