Mumbai’s ADAPT Fest created a runway to empowerment on December 2nd – fashion show with Kalki Koechlin, Fatimah Shaikh, Bhupendra, Maheika Sharma and popular ‘Ziddi Girls’, & celebrated the I ternational Day of the Disabled by awarding achievers from all over India on 3 rd december
Mumbai, November 2025 – ADAPT (Able Disabled All People Together), the pioneering NGO championing disability rights for 53 years under the leadership of Dr. Mithu Alur, hosted its annual ADAPT Fest on December 2-3, 2025, at the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Vaastu Sanghralaya (CSMVS), Kala Ghoda. This accessible platform brought together influencers, policymakers, and change makers to spotlight neuro divergent voices and advocated for inclusion through dialogue, celebration, and social change.
ay 1: December 2 – ‘Runway to Empowerment’ Adaptive Fashion Show
The festival opened with a transformative inclusive fashion show where every walk redefined beauty, strength, and self-expression.
EK Soot Mein Sab Bandhe” &” Samanvaya” celebrated the idea of Kabir that we
are all connected by threads of humanity and compassion. Just
as a single thread weaves many colours into fabric, this show
brought together people of all abilities, body types, sizes, ages,
and backgrounds – to share the runway as equals.
The collection highlighted adaptive and inclusive fashion crafted
from Indian textiles and weaves, showing that comfort and style
can belong to everyone. It is a reminder that fashion is not
defined by perfection, but by connection – where every person,
every form, and every fabric has its own beauty and story to tell.
This was not just a runway – it is a tapestry of togetherness, where
every step celebrates unity in diversity.
Adapt partnered with Nikayi Fashion Studio and their rural embroidery unit Reach to create fashion with compassion
Headlining the ramp were Bollywood actor Kalki Koechlin, actor Fatima Shaikh, acclaimed filmmaker Shonali Bose, actor Bhupendra and celebrated cast members from the popular television series ‘Ziddi Girls’actor Bhupender of ‘ Raat Rani’ fame – whose participation amplified visibility for disability inclusion. They walked the ramp.with our beneficiaries with disability to underline that we all should and can own our style and comfort.
Another highlight of tbe festival was the ‘ jugalbandi ‘ of renowned Israeli pianist Guy Hershberg and Martin Melendez an iconic Cuban cellolist. A monumentally compelling perfprmance that was telling us that music has the power to unite all diverse chords and create symphonies of Inclusion.
Our event on 2nd December was inaugurated by our chief guest Minister of IT and cultural Affairs Maharashtra Shri Aashish Shellar . He appreciated the arts and crafts and textiles made by our beneficiaries and expressed support through his ministry and I vited us to join hands in creating a blueprint to make Maharashtra accessible through infrastructure and assistive technology
Day 2: December 3 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities Awards Ceremony.
Commemorated International Day of Persons with Disabilities and World Cerebral Palsy Day, the second day honoured extraordinary achievers with disabilities through a prestigious awards ceremony. The program featured inspiring talks, inclusive performances, song and dance by ADAPT’s talented community reflecting resilience, creativity, and unity.
The award winners came from all over India and each story was a saga of struggle & perseverance but they stood strong. Despite institutional discrimination, lack of effective policy, entrenched prejudices, non existent infrastructure our winners soared and scaled the heights of success…
Sanghursh se kaamyaabi tak
WINNERS
Ramitha Kulal, Bangalore, Karnataka, Category: CP
Karthik Chandrasekar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Category: CP
Chaitanya Mukund, Panchkula, Haryana, Category: CP
Mr Devidas Kengar, Pelhar, Palghar, Special Jury Award Category: CP
Dr. Rajat Malot, Jaipur, Rajathan, Professional Category: CP
Dr. Jasmine Shaikh, Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra, Professional Category: CP
Vrishali Gandhe, Pune, Maharashtra, Parent professional winner Category: CP
Tariq Ahmed, Srinagar, J&K, Category: Muscular Dystrophy
Varun Naren, Mumbai, Maharashtra, Category: Intellectual Disability
Raju Waghmare, Mumbai, Maharashtra, Category: Visual Impairment
Nikhil Waidya, Tirora, Maharashtra, Category: Chronic Neurological (Epilepsy)
Shilpa Juwatkar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, Category: Locomotor impairment
Anirudha Mirikar, Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra, Category: Locomotor Impairment
Vishnu Mohan, AB, Trivandrum, Kerala, Special Jury Award, Category: Locomotor Impairment
Ananya Halarnkar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, Category: Autism
Our Chief guest Shri Tukaram Munde Commissioner of the Department of people with Disability said that Government and social sector should work together on Inclusion and now is the time to not just work for ” betterment but empowerment “of the people with disability.
Event Details:
• Dates:Held on December 2 & 3, 2025
• Venue: Chhatrapati Shivaji Vaastu Sanghralaya, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai
• Time: Day 1 & 2 – 5:00 to 8:00 PM
• Highlights: Celebrity fashion show, Awards for Persons with Disability, art exhibitions, stalls showcasing products by persons with disability, inclusive cultural performances
About ADAPT
Founded in 1972 by Dr. Mithu Alur, ADAPT (Able Disabled All People Together) is India’s leading NGO dedicated to the empowerment and inclusion of persons with disabilities. Through education, livelihood programs, advocacy, and policy intervention, ADAPT has been at the forefront of creating an equitable society where ability shines beyond disability.