Delhi, Chandigarh: To celebrate “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” – 75 years of India’s glorious independence, The Lalit has joined hands with Special Olympics Bharat as its Happiness Partner for National Health Fest for Divyangjan (people with disabilities) to be held across the country. The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group has always supported the marginalised and is contributing as happiness partners for the Delhi and Chandigarh chapters of Special Olympics; by providing breakfast, lunches, and snacks at the Aanchal Special School & Ananth Centre for Learning & Development in New Delhi and Government Rehabilitation Institute for Intellectual Disabilities in Chandigarh.

The national health festival, under the guidance of its Chairperson, Dr. Mallika Nadda, aims to screen 75,000 athletes by 7500 medical professionals at 750 sports centres in 75 cities across the country, on April 5 and April 7, 2022.  “We believe that India’s march towards progress and empowerment is incomplete without including each and every section of the population, especially the most disenfranchised. It is important for each and every citizen to join this Inclusion revolution which we have highlighted on the occasion of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav,” said Dr. Mallika Nadda, Chairperson, Special Olympics Bharat.

Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson and Managing Director, Bharat Hotels Ltd. The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group has been invited as the Chief Guest for the event. “The practice of ‘giving back’ and supporting the marginalised intersections of our society is deeply ingrained into The Lalit DNA. Being a part of the hospitality industry, we want to be of service to the people, especially the disparaged intersections of society. We are celebrating #AzadiKaAmritMahotsav with the mission to create opportunities and bring the neglected intersections to the fore,” said Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson, and Managing Director, Bharat Hotels Ltd. (The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group).

The hotel group is renowned to usher inclusion for the LGBTQIA+ communities of the country, has several people with disabilities in their team, including India’s first wheelchair-bound DJ, visually impaired & autism spectrum pianists across Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, and acid attack survivors, across functions and roles. The group believes in affirmative action that resonates with the organisation’s core values, i.e., respect for individuals and love for all. With this ethos, they are building a discrimination-free platform. This opportunity is a great way to encourage the participants to achieve their dream regardless of their disabilities and The Lalit is proud to be by their side.

About Special Olympics:

Founded in 1968 by Ms. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown to more than 6 million athletes and Unified Sports partners in more than 190 countries. With its inception in 2001, Special Olympics Bharat is recognized by the Government of India as a National Sports Federation for the development of sports opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. The programme has so far drawn a number of coaches to work with 8,50,875 athletes across the country.  Special Olympics Bharat has registered over 30,000 Athletes with Intellectual disabilities in Delhi and over 2000 in Chandigarh.