Kanpur, January 10, 2026: The Cell for Differently Abled Persons (CDAP) at IIT Kanpur successfully organized its Annual Day in observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2025, bringing together students, faculty, alumni, and distinguished guests to celebrate inclusivity, resilience, and empowerment.

The programme commenced with the Lighting of the Lamp by the dignitaries Prof. Braj Bhushan (Deputy Director, IIT Kanpur), Dr. Alma Chopra (Chief Guest), Mr. Vishwa Ranjan (Registrar, IIT Kanpur), and Prof. Anubha Goel (Head, CDAP), symbolizing hope and a collective commitment towards building an inclusive academic ecosystem.

This was followed by the Inaugural Address by Prof. Bhushan, who highlighted the institute’s ongoing efforts towards creating accessible physical and mental spaces. He also spoke about CDAP’s ongoing initiatives and reaffirmed the cell’s commitment to supporting and empowering students with disabilities.

A touching role-play performance by Pratha Tiwari and Supriya Tiwari, school students, captivated the audience and conveyed strong messages on empathy, inclusion, and social awareness.

The event featured an inspiring Motivational Talk by Dr. Alma Chopra, who shared her insights on perseverance, self-belief, and the importance of inclusive education and societal support for persons with disabilities. During her address, she emphasized the importance of self-belief, stating that no one can replicate an individual’s uniqueness and that comparing oneself to others only diminishes one’s true potential and individuality.

Prof. Gowdham and his team showcased their work in assistive technology, focusing on advancing human–computer interaction through interdisciplinary research, design, and prototyping, with a strong emphasis on accessibility and inclusive technologies. Their work spans diverse domains, including artificial intelligence, AR/VR/XR, creative technology, music technology, new media, and assistive systems. It has been presented at leading international conferences such as CHI, UIST, ISMAR, and NIME, as well as in reputable exhibitions and academic journals.

An insightful Alumni Talk by Mr. Gorank Dudeja reflected on his campus experiences at IIT Kanpur and his professional journey, motivating students to pursue their aspirations with confidence and determination.

The programme also included Prize Distribution for the Drawing Competition, held on 3 December 2025 in connection with International Day of Persons with disabilities, recognizing the creativity and awareness of participating students from Campus School, Kendriya Vidyalaya, and Opportunity School.

The event concluded with a presentation on “Highlights of the Year 2025: CDAP”, showcasing key achievements, initiatives, and milestones of the Cell over the past year.

The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks, delivered in the presence of Dr. Alma Chopra, Prof. Anubha Goel, Prof. Siddhartha Panda, Prof. Ashutosh Modi, and other institute authorities. This was followed by a Group Photograph, marking a memorable celebration of inclusivity and collective progress.

About IIT Kanpur

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, established in 1959, is recognized as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India. Renowned for excellence in science, engineering, and interdisciplinary education, IIT Kanpur spans a 1,050-acre lush green campus and comprises 20 departments, 27 centres, three interdisciplinary programmes, and three specialized schools. With over 570 faculty members and more than 9,500 students, the institute continues to lead in innovation, research, and holistic development.

For more information, please visit: www.iitk.ac.in.