Aasra 2026

The classroom is great for theory, but seeing inclusion happen on the SPJIMR lawns is a whole different world. Usually, I’d spend my Saturday catching up on sleep or finally tackling the mountain of assignments building up. I decided to volunteer for Aasra 2026 on Saturday, 17^th January instead; because I wanted to see if the stuff we talk about in class actually works in the real world.

Aasra is the annual sports and cultural festival organised by our Development of Corporate Citizenship (DoCC). The energy was just wild with 18 different organisations and 475 participants and their caregivers joining us at the campus. About 100 of us students were out there as volunteers. I spent my morning right in the middle of the sports action. I started by playing volleyball with a group of autistic kids. Then I moved over to play with a group of students from the blind school. They were so good that they basically pushed me to the sidelines and I was benched.

While I was catching my breath, I started talking to one of the mothers watching from the shade. She told me that for her family, Aasra literally means a safe and supportive space. She said it is the one day where she doesn’t have to worry about people staring or judging. To her, it is a day where her son is just another kid playing and performing.

Our campus looked incredible. There were colorful buntings and paper lanterns everywhere. We even had decorated umbrellas hanging from the trees. It made the whole place feel like a huge neighborhood party rather than a formal event. Later in the day, we all moved into the MLS Auditorium for the cultural performances.

The auditorium was completely packed. The energy during those performances was intense. You really had to be in the room to feel how electric it was. Aasra reminded me that inclusion is not just a policy. It is built through small, everyday actions. It is in how we talk and how we play together. Looking at the event images, I am mostly struck by the smiles. It was a long Saturday, but it was easily the most meaningful thing I have done since I got here.