On Monday, significant landmarks in Delhi, including Rashtrapati Bhavan, the South Block, and the Parliament, were illuminated in red to raise awareness about dyslexia. This initiative is part of the nationwide ‘Act4Dyslexia’ campaign, aimed at highlighting learning disabilities that affect an estimated 20% of India’s population, which includes around 35 million students, as stated by the ChangeInkk Foundation, the event’s organizer.
What is Dyslexia ?
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability often misconstrued as a sign of being a “slow learner.” Individuals with dyslexia face challenges in comprehending, speaking, reading, writing, spelling, and performing mathematical calculations. Despite these difficulties, they often possess crucial skills essential for higher-order thinking, such as logical reasoning, critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation.
Noopur Jhunjhunwala, co-founder and Trustee of the ChangeInkk Foundation, expressed the importance of this event: “In a bold step towards spreading awareness about dyslexia, the highest offices of the government and key monuments in Delhi have collaborated with UNESCO MGIEP to illuminate these sites in red, the color representing dyslexia awareness.”
Nationwide Engagement
The campaign is not limited to Delhi. Similar illuminations took place across major cities, including Patna, Ranchi, Jaipur, Kohima, Shimla, and Mumbai, reinforcing the message to eliminate stigma and foster understanding of dyslexia and other learning disabilities. Jhunjhunwala emphasized, “By lighting up our cities and walking together, we hope to inspire a shift towards a more inclusive society where every individual, irrespective of learning disabilities, not only survives but thrives.”
Notably, the impact of dyslexia is underscored by the fact that 40% of self-made millionaires have dyslexia, and numerous celebrated inventors, such as Albert Einstein, also faced this challenge.
Foundation’s Mission
The ChangeInkk Foundation, established by a family with dyslexic members, is dedicated to unlocking the potential of 200 million Indians with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD). Recognized under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act of 2016, SLDs, including dyslexia, are mandated to receive equal opportunities in education and employment. The National Education Policy 2020 further emphasizes the importance of inclusive education at all levels.
This year, the ‘Act4Dyslexia’ campaign has significantly expanded, featuring over 1,600 walks across the country, including state capitals, districts, blocks, and villages. October is recognized as Dyslexia Awareness Month, and these walks, which began on October 8, are being led by state education departments, parent groups, and educational institutions, in collaboration with more than 150 organizations. Jhunjhunwala noted that the initiative has engaged over 400,000 participants, who collectively took over 2 billion steps towards raising awareness for dyslexia.
This comprehensive campaign reflects a growing commitment to support individuals with learning disabilities, fostering a society where all can thrive, regardless of their challenges.
