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Asian Star- Chaitanya Mukund


Native Village/Country parent’s background:
I hail from Chandigarh, Capital of Punjab & Haryana States, India.
My father is a radio broadcaster, radio and TV personality/host. stage anchor, voice over artist, radio/ TV documentary producer,actor, play writer, poet and a storyteller who is actively involved in social service and community welfare.
And my mother is a Medical Doctor (Dermatologist) by profession and an artist by passion. Film actor, voice over artist. Passionate about raising social issues through different creative mediums.
Your early education:
I am a person with Cerebral Palsy, a condition that occurs when your brain suffers from lack of oxygen at the time of birth.My disability went undetected until the age 1, after which, the real hustle and habilitation began. I was refused admission by many schools, just because of my disability.
During my school days, I struggled a lot in studies, due to dyslexia (which got diagnosed at the age of 5) and slow handwriting. Classmates often refused me to lend their notebooks for completing my notes. But despite these setbacks, I achieved a distinction in the 10th standard and many newspapers covered my story.
Your career advancement initiatives, volunteer work and present occupation:
I am a disability rights activist, author and a model. I made my modeling debut at a fashion event, which went on to make the Guinness Book of World Records for The Most Designers to Present in a Single Continuous Fashion Show in 2018
In 2019, with my first book Shivay: The Wonder Boy, I introduced India’s first superhero, whose alter-ego is physically challenged.
In 2021, I was among the top 25 PWDs from all over India, who were awarded the prestigious NCPEDP – Javed Abidi Fellowship on Disability,
I worked on the issue of Maintenance of data on crimes and abuse against Persons with Disabilities
As a part of my endeavours to highlight and spread awareness about the sensitivity of disability abuse in India, I kick-started a social media campaign called  #AbusingTheDisability, where I shared some hard hitting facts, media reports accompanied by heart wrenching narratives of dynamic and dauntless PWDs, who got vocal about their experiences of humiliation, exploitation and discrimination. The campaign went viral and was widely appreciated for its boldness and hard hitting approach. The campaign is available on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
My efforts first reached the global audience when I got invited on a California based award winning podcast to share about my life journey and my work in the Indian disability sector.
Owing to my advocacy efforts in the fellowship, I got invited by the US State Department to be a part of IVLP in March 2023. The International Visitor Leadership Program is a flagship program of the United State of America’s State Department that invites current or potential leaders in government, politics and other fields.
My earnest efforts also resulted in orders from the Haryana State Commissioner of Disability for the Haryana Police Department, recommending it to issue enforceable guidelines for recording the crimes against persons with disabilities in the state. 
Apart from this, I also got chosen as the Purple Ambassador by the State Government of Goa to represent cerebral palsy at the International Purple Fest 2024, where I raised the issue of nationwide scarcity of data on crimes against persons with disabilities before all the State Commissioners of Persons with Disability as well as the Deputy Chief Commissioner of Persons with Disability. Consequently, the Court of Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities took due cognizance of the matter and issued a notice to Ministry of Home Affairs and National Crime Record Bureau for a response on this pertinent issue.
My life’s journey has also been featured on prominent story telling platforms like The Better India, Humans of Bombay, Storiyaan etc.
Your regret in Life
I can regret about many things in life, but that won’t change my past. So rather than regretting in life, respect what you have right now: The Present. Who know, a respectful present might just turn into a ravishing future!
Pick any one of the best achievements:
My modeling debut at a fashion event, which went on to make the Guinness Book of World Records for The Most Designers to Present in a Single Continuous Fashion Show in 2018
Any comments on modern culture:
Being culturally modern is good, but never forget where you came from. Remember: Even Tony Stark built his first Iron Man suit while being captive in a cave.
What brought you success?
Support and encouragement of my parents who have instilled in me the mindset of being ‘Limitless’, and gifted me the ‘NEVER GIVE UP!’ attitude.
Are you willing to help upcoming professionals and how?
As a disability rights activist, I will conduct advocacy and awareness sessions to ensure that upcoming professionals are sensitive enough towards the rights and requirements of persons with disabilities so as to create an inclusive and empowering environment that not only provides better opportunities to persons with disabilities, but also fosters an empathetic approach among the professionals without disabilities for a conducive and compassionate world.
Your message for Canadians of Asian Origin:
Spread the legacy of our rich cultural heritage, share love, and try your best to pass on this treasure to your children by having some family time together, involving them in the cultural activities so that the world can be a better and happy place for everyone.

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