Introduction

Empower to Rise Fellowship 2024

Empower to Rise Fellowship 2024

Systemic, structural, and social barriers often hinder the path of youth with disabilities from realising their full potential, pursuing their dreams, and contributing meaningfully to society. At Rising Flame, we are committed to addressing these challenges and fostering an inclusive environment where every individual has the opportunity to thrive, and so announced the next edition of the Empower to Rise Fellowship – 2024-25.

Through the Empower to Rise Fellowship, we aim to dismantle barriers and empower youth with disabilities to achieve their academic and professional aspirations. By providing financial support and individualised mentoring, we seek to create an environment where every youth with disabilities can flourish, contribute, and lead change.

Four youth with disabilities were selected for this fellowship in the year 2024-2025. Each of them receives a financial award of Rs 50,000 and gets access to a six-month individual mentoring programme that supports their academic and professional goals. The cash amount can be used to set up their digital and technology requirements, improve accessibility of their physical and educational infrastructure, upgrade or buy assistive devices and software, pay for sign language interpreters and other support for inclusive participation and to gain further skills.

The Four Empower to Rise Fellows for 2024-2025 are:

1) Ankita Kasabe, 19, Blind, Daund, Maharashtra. Ankita is pursuing her second year in BA Economics at Fergusson College.
2) Laxmi, 22, Low-vision, Palwal Haryana. Laxmi is a first-year MBA student at FMS Delhi.
3) Siddhi Somnath Kunjir, 20, Blind, Pune Maharashtra. Siddhi is pursuing her second year BA in English literature at Fergusson College, Pune.
4) Tarun Paul Mathew, 19, Autistic, Kochi, Kerala. Tarun is pursuing his 10th grade.
We were delighted to have a stellar jury of Chitra Shah, Director Satya Special School, Pratishtha Deveshwar, Consultant, Girl Up and Nipun Malhotra, Founder, Nipman Foundation.
On a mustard background is a bio, photo and details of an Empower to Rise Winner. On the left side is a photo of Ankita Kasabe. Next to her image are golden sparkles. Next to it is her bio: "Ankita Kasabe is a second year BA Economics student at Fergusson College. A bronze medalist at the 2019 national level, she consistently demonstrates academic excellence. Beyond her studies, Ankita enjoys reading and music. With a keen interest in finance, she aspires to a career as a Corroborator in Banking." At the bottom is the text in red with a white background: "Ankita Kasabe, 19, Blind, Daund, Pune, Maharashtra." On the top left is the Rising Flame logo.
On a pale red background is a bio, photo and details of an Empower to Rise Winner. On the left side is a photo of Laxmi. Next to her image are golden sparkles. Next to it is her bio: "Laxmi, who has low vision, is from Pangaltu. She completed her schooling from her village, where she developed a strong academic foundation. After that, she pursued a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) from Gargi College, Delhi University. With a keen interest in management and business studies, she dedicated herself to preparing for the CAT exam. Her hard work paid off, and she secured admission to the Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi. Currently, she is a first-year MBA student at FMS Delhi, eager to enhance her knowledge and skills in business administration." At the bottom is the text in red with a white background: "Laxmi, 22, Low-vision, Palwal Haryana". On the top left is the Rising Flame logo.
On a mustard background is a bio, photo and details of an Empower to Rise Winner. On the left side is a photo of Siddhi Kunjir. Next to her image are golden sparkles. Next to it is her bio: "Siddhi Somnath Kunjir is from Pune, Maharashtra and is currently pursuing second year. BA. with English literature in Fergusson College, Pune. Apart from her education she is working as a teacher coordinator for students with disability at Niwant NGO Pune. She has been learning classical and light music since the age of 17 and has qualified 5 Exams from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mumbai. She has gotten many opportunities to perform in front of various artists & film stars. She has won the Aryan & Udan award for best singing [2020-2024], the excellence award for multiple achievements in academics & music [2024], and has worked on 2 music albums which were released in [2019-23]. She has run a YouTube channel since 2023." At the bottom is the text in red with a white background: "Siddhi Somnath Kunjir, 20, Blind, Pune Maharashtra". On the top left is the Rising Flame logo.
On a pale red background is a bio, photo and details of an Empower to Rise Winner. On the left side is a photo of Tarun Paul Mathew. Next to his image are golden sparkles. Next to it is his bio: "Tarun Paul Mathew is a 19-year-old non-speaking autistic adult from Kochi, India who types to communicate. He considers himself to be a free thinker, and a totally peace-loving individual. He enjoys everything connected with music. Something that interests him a lot is studying Math. Poetry is another fascinating hobby. He is a keen observer and student of the natural world and loves watching nature documentaries especially about life underwater. He is passionate about advocating for his community of non-speaking autistics (Purple Ambassador @ Autism Conclave, National Trust, New Delhi; Panellist @ India Inclusion Summit, Bangalore; Co-author, ‘Talking Fingers – Voices of Non-Speaking Indian Autistics’). He was selected for the international HundreED Youth Ambassador program in 2024." At the bottom is the text in red with a white background: "Tarun Paul Mathew, 19, Autistic, Kochi, Kerala". On the top left is the Rising Flame logo.