Kanpur, 01 October 2026: The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur recently hosted UDAAN 2026, a pre-fest event of UDGHOSH, IIT Kanpur’s annual sports festival. Organised by UDGHOSH in association with the Cell for Differently Abled Persons (CDAP), IIT Kanpur, and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), the two-day event was centred on the themes of Inclusion, Opportunity and Empowerment.

UDAAN brought together more than 130 para-athletes from leading institutions, including IIT Roorkee, IIT Delhi, Dr Ambedkar Institute of Technology for Divyangjan (AITD), and host institute IIT Kanpur. The event provided participants a platform to compete, interact, and celebrate the spirit of sport in an inclusive environment.

The sporting competitions were conducted across four disciplines — Carrom, Chess, Table Tennis, and Badminton. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from athletes across the participating institutes, highlighting the importance of equal opportunities in sports and the role of sporting platforms in fostering confidence, interaction, and participation.

The event commenced with an opening ceremony, followed by a talk session titled “More Than a Medal” by Mr Sunil Kumar Sahu, a Paralympic Athlete. The session focused on perseverance, resilience, and the importance of inclusion in sports. Mr Vivek Saini, Director of the Paralympic Committee of India, attended the opening ceremony as the Special Guest.

The closing ceremony was attended by Mr Manish Rana, Director, Paralympic Committee of India; Mr Qasim Abidi, IPS; and Mr Praveen Kumar, CMD, ALIMCO, as Chief Guests. Mr Ramneek Jain, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), attended as the Special Guest.

As part of the closing ceremony, mementoes were presented to the guests as a gesture of gratitude for their presence and support. Trophies and medals were also awarded to the winners across the four sporting disciplines.

The event was coordinated by the UDGHOSH team in association with CDAP, IIT Kanpur. The team members also facilitated the guests' participation and hospitality throughout the event.

UDAAN 2026 concluded by reinforcing the values of inclusion, opportunity, and empowerment through sport. The event provided a common platform for para-athletes and students from participating institutions while highlighting the importance of creating accessible and inclusive sporting opportunities.

About IIT Kanpur

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, established in 1959, is recognised 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 specialised 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