(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

Move over mega events where the glitterati walk down the red carpet or stars bring the house down with their dazzling performances. Step aside models who sashay across the world's sassiest ramps. All these fall pale before a rare event, 'United in the Emirates', that happened on Sunday, November 23, in Dubai. It was a show that will give high-octane galas a run for their money with its intent, inclusivity and the soul-stirring human dimension.

Nearly 60 people aged between seven and 34, all with a range of developmental conditions, including Down syndrome, global developmental delays, and autism spectrum disorder, came together to own the stage with a show that was not only incredibly moving but also life-affirming.

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Organised by G3Enable, a voluntary service initiative founded by Indian couple Gayathri and Shankar Subramanian to open doors to the dynamic world of creative and performing arts, yoga, speech and drama to differently-abled individuals, the show was a declaration of determination, effort and talent.

Love, patience and the art of possibility

It wasn't just the scale of the event that was mesmerising, but also the heart that was poured into it by the participants, their parents, teachers and trainers. To the couple, who started G3Enable as an organic extension of fulfilling and supporting the growth needs of their eldest daughter born with special needs, the show was a dream come true. To those who witnessed it in the audience, it was nothing short of a miracle. How else would someone explain the synchronicity displayed by 22 participants who performed the surya namaskar (sun salutations) without any on-stage instructions by their trainers?

“It took 10 months for us to get them here, teaching them each pose, slowly connecting with them through expressions of love, hugs and holding hands,” says Mary Leo, banker and yoga practitioner who partnered with another banker and yoga teacher Priyesh Uthman to induct the children and young people into regular yoga practice at G3Enable's premises. Elaborating how the experience was valuable and humbling to him, Priyesh says,“Initially, I thought I was here to teach them something, but in the end, I was the one who learnt from them and their parents - the qualities of patience, persistence and unconditional love.”

Talent beyond limitations

The vibrance of love and energy that emanated from the children was visible when this writer visited their rehearsal venue a day before the event. It was also an attestation of how specially gifted they were to live in the moment with no worry about the future or regrets about the past.“All they know is this moment that they enjoy and have fun,” says Shankar Subramanian who has stood steadfast in his wife's mission to provide a platform where any person of determination would get a chance to showcase their talent.

Their decision to incorporate right-brain therapy focusing on creative arts, dance and music into their eldest daughter Twaritha's life in her childhood was crucial in their journey as special parents. The improvements they saw in her movement, speech, and overall development led the couple to eventually establish G3Enable in Dubai, where differently-abled people were taught and involved in learning various forms of art, craft, yoga and culinary activities. It also became a support group for parents who found it a safe place to take their children to practise and develop various interests.

On an evening when a group of children danced with definite rhythm to the tune of Savage Daughter without a misstep, it seemed as if they were echoing the lyrics of the song, I will not lower my voice. Ancy Alexander, PR specialist by profession and dancer by passion, who trained the children says their dance was not mere mimicking of steps and actions; they were mindful moves accomplished by sheer discipline and training of the brain by repetition.“It is not easy, but certainly possible,” says Ancy, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy in her childhood and found recourse in dance to overcome her disability and claim her own space in the world.

Finding strength in every step

The children of G3Enable too are now on a path to finding their own footing in a society where complete, unconditional inclusion and acceptance of differently-abled people is still a work in progress. That these individuals are exceptionally talented was proven by their performances, one of which was the band that included a vibrant drummer, soulful and hearty vocalists, keyboard players, a melodica specialist and others. One of the most heart-warming moments was when Vignesh and Ananya, whose wedding was in the news in 2023, did a gentle duet dance to oriental music. Their presence was telling evidence of how inclusion and acceptance can change lives for these extraordinary people with exceptional challenges that the world doesn't often acknowledge and welcome.

As a volunteer who works for G3Enable, interior designer Ashita Mehta says,“There is nothing these children cannot do. And the love that these children give us when we are in their midst is incredible.” It is for this unconditional love they receive and the fulfilment that the association with G3Enable brings that a devoted batch of volunteers have offered their time and services unreservedly.

“I wouldn't have been able to do any of this without my core team, the extended family of volunteers and committed parents,” says Gayathri who has made inclusion a motto and the mainstay of her life.

From the moment 22-year-old Abhishek Nair melodiously sang the UAE national anthem at the beginning of the show to the catwalk spectacle where the models strutted in costumes from 33 countries to the band display in the end, it was all the way a show that nailed the fact that determination doesn't come easily, but when it comes, it leaves a mark like no other.

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