Key highlights:
· To promote entrepreneurship among persons with disabilities, The Galleria Mall Yelahanka hosted pop-up stores promoting handicrafts
· Eight entrepreneurs were given a curated pop-up store to exhibit and sell their art, thereby financially empowering them
· Border Security Force Band performed live on August 14
Bengaluru, 16th August 2022: To encourage entrepreneurship and self-employment as a viable opportunity for persons with disabilities, Brookfield in association with Atypical Advantage, organized a two-day event for artists with disabilities and commemorated Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Atypical Advantage is India’s largest platform to generate economic livelihood for persons with disabilities, The event was held at Bengaluru’s The Galleria Mall – a marquee asset in Brookfield Properties India portfolio. The Galleria Mall, Yelahanka has always been at the forefront of initiatives like these to highlight the abilities of Persons with Disabilities (PWD).
The two-day power-packed event at the Mall celebrated dancers, musicians, painters & entrepreneurs with disabilities and gave them a platform to showcase their talent. The event also featured a live canvas painting sized at 60 square feet, which was made by four artists with disabilities namely Jyothi K Kumar (Hearing Disability), Niyaz Hussain (Locomotor Disability), Thyagraj (Locomotor Disability) and Aishwarya A (Spina Bifida). They worked simultaneously to create the masterpiece which can be viewed live by the public. This was the first time where artists with disabilities attempted to illustrate a grand canvas in less than five hours.
The second day of the event, on August 15, featured special Indian classical dance performances in addition to classical vocal performances by artists with disabilities from the Sunadha Samarthanam Trust.
Speaking about the occasion, Mr. Shantanu Chakraborty, Executive Vice President & Regional Head of South India, and Brookfield Properties said,
“At Brookfield properties, we believe that persons with disabilities can excel in any field and deserve every opportunity to grow and flourish in their respective domains. We undertake several initiatives to empower these individuals and celebrate their achievements. We believe in giving back to the community and this ideology is embedded deeply in all our business operations. From creating and transforming Grade A commercial spaces to celebrating people with different abilities, Brookfield Properties has always been at the forefront to drive change. This event recognized the talent of artists with disabilities and also received a phenomenal support from Bengaluru citizens.”
Vineet Saraiwala, Founder & CEO, Atypical Advantage said, “Brookfield Properties has always endeavored to serve the community and we are grateful to The Galleria Mall for taking this step and celebrating the event. We were pleased to collaborate with Brookfield Properties who has a brand ethos with an unbending will to build a better community.”
The Mall invited and encouraged the citizens of Bengaluru to visit on August 14 and 15 to support persons with disabilities.
This event sought to shed light on the incredible skills that persons with disabilities demonstrate with their masterpieces, dance in addition to running businesses. Each of the painters, dancers and entrepreneurs have a unique story to share which reflects the resilience and perseverance that persons with disabilities exhibit.
