Source: UN News: Sunday, January 18, 2026 00:01 AM
‘Breaking Barriers Fellowship’ has been launched with the aim of strengthening disability-inclusive governance in India. Under this, ten young professionals selected from across the country will work with government institutions for the next one year and contribute to policy formulation and implementation. These professionals, coming from diverse backgrounds such as rehabilitation, public policy, psychology, human rights, education and data analytics, will work with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, its national institutions and the Office of the Chief Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities. These individuals will contribute to policy research, program implementation, and strengthening civic engagement. According to organizers, the group includes fellows with direct experience of disability as well as young professionals with strong policy and governance skills. It aims to strengthen government capacity for disability-related policies in areas such as health, education, employment and social security. Manmeet Nanda, Additional Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, while discussing the Fellowship, said, “Initiatives like the Breaking Barriers Fellowship are exactly what the disability sector needs – fresh perspectives, youth energy and a streamlined route to access policy making.” “I look forward to connecting with the emerging ‘Purple Economy’, fostering learning across sectors, and seeing how this first cohort contributes to making policies more simple and effective, stimulating new ideas and advancing inclusive governance.” The diverse group of future policy leaders selected Fellows includes Saumya Bhardwaj, an All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation trained prosthetist and orthotist with practical experience in assistive devices and rehabilitation services. Are. Rashmika Sharma, a sociology graduate, has experience in the field of legislative consultation and policy analysis. The group also includes Niharika Mehra, who has experience of working at the grassroots level in mental health and community-based disability programs. Jaykrishna Vardhan Mutyala is a disability rights activist and storyteller. He brings with him experience in inclusive communications and public engagement. The fellowship also includes Ishita Kalra, a postgraduate in psychology. He has first-hand experience of disability and has worked in the field of research and program support. Aaqib Rehman is a professional in human rights and international relations. She has over a decade of experience working on disability rights and is visually impaired. Ashish Dixit is an MBA graduate with experience in data analysis and program evaluation. The group also includes Ashley Phillips, whose work focuses on gender and social inclusion. Baishali Mukherjee is a social entrepreneur working in the field of inclusive education, skill development and health services. Yusra Hadi has experience in large-scale education projects and policy related drafting. © Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC) During the launch of the ‘Breaking Barriers Fellowship’, organizers stressed the need for long-term capacity building in disability governance. Working directly with government institutions, these professionals will be deployed in Delhi, Mumbai, Secunderabad and Dehradun from January to December 2026. They will work closely with government teams to strengthen disability-inclusive governance. They will also participate in public policy-related training programmes, expert sessions, mentorship and peer learning forums. The Fellowship is designed to strengthen institutional capacity, linking learning and practical experience to everyday government work. Building Long-Term Capacity for InclusionThe ‘Breaking Barriers Fellowship’ was launched by YLAC (Young Leaders for Active Citizenship) and NIPMAN The Foundation has done it. The initiative is supported by the India Autism Centre, while the UN in India is the knowledge partner, with UNICEF Youth (GEN U) and UNFPA India providing technical lead. Andrea M Wojnar, UNFPA’s local representative in India, says, “We are connecting these professionals to global processes, through platforms such as UNICEF Youth Working Group, UNFPA Youth Advisory Group, UN learning systems and policy dialogues. “This will strengthen their leadership and professional skills. We look forward to learning from the experiences of professionals and fostering a meaningful, two-way exchange of ideas.” According to the organizers, the aim of this fellowship is to develop young professionals who are committed to rights-based and inclusive policy making. Its goal is to establish disability not as a separate issue, but as a common and important priority of governance.
