ASEAN Disability Forum aka ADF - Dec 2014 Forum - Tvam's Story

The ASEAN Disability Forum (ADF) is a network composed by DPOs of the ASEAN region. It is a platform, where DPOs coordinate actions to advocate for disability inclusive policy formulation and implementation. ADF works in all areas, aiming to the main stream and the needs of disabled people to enter their perspectives in the policy framework of ASEAN. The main goal is to represent the disability movement from the ASEAN region, providing opportunities for DPOs to build their advocacy and organizational capacity, to facilitate the sharing of mutual support, information. In addition, the ADF plays many roles at the local, national and international for the disabled, in collaboration with the government, service providers and the general public. In many cases, the ADF is the best vehicle to carry the aspirations of people with disabilities before the ASEAN community; ADF is a platform action to bring the voice of DPOs at grassroots level to policy makers and to connect people to the policy makers who live in its member countries.

ASEAN disability forum (ADF) was hosted at Sedona Hotel in Yangon, Myanmar on 15th - 17th December 2014. There were around 200 delegates from the ASEAN countries i.e Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, Brunei, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Burma; some of the delegates had come from USA as well and there were 20 resource persons that were invited to give their views to the august assemblage. Out of the 20 resource people two people were from the non ASEAN countries - one from Japan and the other one from India. Tvam was overwhelmed when Harshit Sehdev was invited for the forum as the only representative from India. Harshit was invited as a resource person in the forum where he gave a presentation on Effective and Efficient Education and Public Services for ASEAN Disablity Society.

Following are excerpts of his experience in the ASEAN disability forum 2014 and Myanmar-

It was a wonderful experience to be a part of the international group and the learning was immense, claims Harshit. Harshit brought a whole new dynamics to the presentation by challenging the audience with the understanding of word disability. He met some so called disabled people and told them that he does not see them as disabled people rather he sees them as differently abled people who can do amazing things in life. He further went on to boldly say to them that he does not want to look at them with pity and sympathy but rather he wants to look at them with empathy and treat them with warmth and compassion as he would treat any other citizen of the planet. His ideas were highly appreciated by the participants specially the so called disabled people.

At ASEAN Disability Forum, Yangon, Myanmar - Dec 2014

After his presentation that lasted for about one hour participants raised questions about what is happening in India in context of disabled people. Harshit responded by saying, 'Though my mother could not walk properly and had a handicapped certificate I never saw her as a disabled person. She was able to inspire faith and confidence in so many people that were working under her'.

Delivering presentation on Effective and Efficient Education and Public Services for ASEAN Disablity Society

Harshit also pointed out to the audience about the various schemes and policies that government of India has for it's so called disabled people. He also told them about the National Institute for the Visually Handicapped aka nivh people in his own city Dehradun. He told the audience about how movie star Aamir Khan has bought issue of dyslexia in his famous movie, 'Taare Zameen Par' and also in his television serial, 'Satyameva Jayate'. People in India are more aware of Autism, thanks to the superstar Shahrukh Khan's movie, 'My name is Khan'.

The greatest psychological need of a human being irrespective of caste, colour, creed, gender, age, ability or disability is the need to be understood. Having a background in non-directive counselling and life coaching methods of listening, Harshit emphasized on this want in the human beings and demonstrated to the august audience, how effective few moments spent in understanding others can be. The message was appreciated and received delightfully by the people from different countries.

Receiving Souvenir after the speech at ASEAN disability forum at Hotel Sedona, Yangon, Myanmar

Apart from the disability issue people in Myanmar and people from different countries specially women were concerned about security of women in India. Most people raised their concern about visiting India. Harshit responded by saying that, 'women's security and safety is a global issue and I do not want to defend about the wrongs that are happening in India. Not every women who visits India is raped or looted, if you visit my country the chances of you getting raped or looted are very less and this danger lies even if you visit USA. Are women in other countries completely safe or are men completely safe. If you visit my country you will definitely find gem of men and women, completely free from blemish; of-course you will also find mischievous people and you need to be careful. I assure you that, if you come to the place where I live you will be relatively as safe as you are in your own country.' He also said that according the right to education law, ' every Indian citizen irrespective of his economic status or physical or mental disability must get access to proper education and that normal schools cannot suspend or dismiss a child just because he/she happens to be dyslexic.

Harshit Sehdev also got an opportunity to visit The Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) where he met Mr Cho Thiri Maung, Central Executive Committee Member of UMFCCI; Mr  Sisamouth Chanthavong, head division of planning in Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare Department of Myanmar; Mrs Thinn Thinn Sett, Central Executive Member and Joint Secretary of the Republic of UMFCCI and various other dignitaries of Myanmar.


Thereafter Harshit also did a workshop on life skills and stress management at Zifam Pharamaceuticals, Yangon, Maynmar. The managerial staff of the company attended the training program wherein Harshit shared powerful ideas to increase their potential, improve their productivity at work and home and how to strike a balance between work and personal life. The entire staff took active participation in the workshop and enjoyed it thoroughly.

Zifam Pharmaceuticals, Yangon, Maynmar

Tvam's Life skills workshop at Zifam Pharmaceuticals, Myanmar by Harshit Sehdev

Tvam's Life skills workshop at Zifam Pharmaceuticals, Myanmar by Harshit Sehdev

Harshit utilized the last three days of his stay in Myanmar to visit the beautiful places such as Bagan and Mandalay which are popular tourist destinations in Mynamar.

With all the fond memories of an eventful trip to Myanmar, Harshit returned back to India on 28th Dec 2014 and has since been engaged in other activities of Tvam and building awareness of people towards ASEAN disability forum.