New Delhi, Nov 28, : Devanshi Joshi, 27, has been working in Big Bazaar’s fashion department in a posh area of south Delhi for the past two and a half years.She is a team member and contributes on par with the others, completing all tasks with enthusiasm and dedication. Her managers often recognize Joshi’s achievements and reward her with appreciation and prizes.She has her own bank account and credit card, where her monthly salary is deposited.
She has eight years of experience working as a full-time, regular employee.
This sounds like a normal young woman working in Delhi.
Joshi is the Future Group’s first employee with an intellectual disability in the category neuro-diversity.She also has Down Syndrome.
Joshi has been chosen by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to receive a ‘Role model’ award.On December 3, 2021, International Day for Persons with Disability, she will receive the award from the President of India.
The Ministry presents awards in different categories every year to Persons with Disabilities (PwD) to recognize and encourage their significant achievements.
Joshi, along with her parents Anil and Rashmi, interacted with media people before the award ceremony.
Joshi, dressed as any other young woman, spoke confidently and answered questions clearly, even dropping a few witty comments.
Joshi stated to IANS, “An award for my role model should serve as an inspiration to parents of Down Syndrome children.”
Joshi was chatting with her about the latest fashions, taking photos for her Facebook page, and generally engaging in lively conversation about her work.It is a form of intellectual disability, which was discovered by Dr Langdon Down (hence the name).
It is caused by a genetic disorder that causes cognitive and developmental delays.
Joshi was motivated by her parents to study in an inclusive school until class 8, after which she passed her XII board examination at National Open School.
Joshi’s father Anil, and her mother Rashmi are actively involved in organizing and participating in various indoor or outdoor events to encourage parents to participate and raise awareness about the issue.The couple’s constant endeavor is to mentor and counsel thousands of families with special needs, as well as their daughter.
Rashmi, a homemaker, has dedicated her whole life to Devanshi’s upbringing and holistic development, starting in her earliest years.She has shared her valuable insights with mothers from all ages in India, helping them overcome many difficulties and challenges.
Anil Joshi was appointed programme director for the Human Abilities and Accessibility initiative at IBM India Research Labs in New Delhi.
He has been involved in the field disability in India and abroad for over 30 years in a variety of roles, including accessibility evangelist and counsellor, pan-disability communicator and policy researcher, speaker, and activist.
Devanshi is a champion for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and focuses on the needs of people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.As a self-advocate, she is regularly invited to speak on various platforms online and offline.
This helps raise awareness about the rights and challenges faced by persons with disabilities.She was invited to speak at the UN Geneva 2020 programme.
The event was postponed because of the pandemic.She instead shared her thoughts online, in the presence of international dignitaries.
While receiving an award from the President is a special honor, it is not something she has done before.On December 3, 2016, she received a similar award under the category of ‘Best Employee’.
This award was again instituted by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.It also includes the Helen Keller award and many others from state, local, and social organizations in recognition and appreciation of her achievements and inherent qualities, skills, and well-rounded personality.
Her past achievements include being honored by Special Olympics India as a ‘Youth Leader’, being identified by the Election Commission of India in their National Awareness Campaign in 2019, to encourage persons with disabilities to vote, and being part of the award-winning documentary, “Raising the Bar”, which featured the stories of selected Down syndrome families and individuals from Australia and India.
She was invited to speak at the UN Geneva 2020 programme, but she was unable to travel due to pandemic.Instead, she shared her thoughts online.Joshi exclaimed, “Hopefully, if everything is well, they invite us in 2022.”
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