Dr. Mallika Nadda, the President of Special Olympics Bharat, has recently assumed the role of chairperson for the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Advisory Council. This appointment is for a duration of three years.
Mallika Nadda, the spouse of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader JP Nadda, is actively involved in managing an organization named Chetna Sanstha in Bilaspur. This sanstha is dedicated to promoting women’s empowerment, fostering the personal growth of young individuals, and supporting the differently abled community.
Chetna Sanstha began with only two children attending the special school, but now it has grown to accommodate over 200 children. Throughout its existence, the school has provided education and training to approximately 1,500 disabled children. Remarkably, around 500 of these children have successfully found employment in various fields. Chetna Sanstha, which originated in 1999 in 10 panchayat regions of Bilaspur, has expanded its reach and is currently operating in more than 10 panchayat regions.
Dr. Mallika Nadda took on the role of Chairperson of Special Olympics Bharat in 2021. She is a prominent social activist who has been committed to advocating for the rights of the differently-abled, underprivileged, and women’s empowerment for more than three decades. With a Ph.D. in history and a focus on urban studies, she is also involved with Himachal Pradesh University in Shimla.
Dr. Nadda, as the Chairperson of APAC, will represent the unified voice of the entire Special Olympics Asia Pacific region spanning 34 countries. Serving as the SO Bharat representative on the APAC, Dr. Nadda holds a permanent seat where Special Olympics Bharat is based. Her tenure is set to last for three years, starting from May 1, 2024, until March 31, 2027.
Dr. Mallika Nadda initiated Special Olympics India Himachal Pradesh in 2002, opening doors for the specially abled to take part in the World Olympic Winter Games through snow sports and winter games. Her remarkable contributions led to her receiving the Rajiv Gandhi Manav Sena Award in 2010. Fast forward to 2021, she was appointed as the President of Special Olympics India.
