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- Yumnam Naresh Singh and Abujam Srunkumar Meitei win medals in Crafts and Services category
Manipur, November 22 2025: Manipur delivered an inspiring performance at the National Abilympics 2025—India’s prestigious Work Skill Olympics for Divyangjan—with two exceptional participants from the state winning top honours. The national event, held at the Civil Services Officers Institute (CSOI) in New Delhi, brought together 59 finalists from more than 20 states following regional competitions across India. Organized by Sarthak Educational Trust in collaboration with the National Abilympic Association of India (NAAI) and supported by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), TPCDT, and IndusInd Bank, the event followed the successful completion of four Regional Abilympics across Chennai (South), Mumbai (West), Lucknow (North), and Guwahati (East & North East). A total of 26 medals were awarded at the National Abilympics 2025, including 8 Gold, 10 Silver, and 8 Bronze across key skill categories.
Manipur’s Yumnam Naresh Singh, who is Visually Impaired, won Gold in Massage Services, emerging as one of the strongest performers across all service categories. Known for his exceptional technique and precision, Yumnam outperformed competitors from Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, and Delhi. His win drew special applause from jurors and guests, reaffirming that mastery and talent transcend disability.
Sharing his emotional journey, Yumnam Naresh Singh said, “Massage is an art for a visually impaired person. I dedicate this award to my mother—every step I have taken is because of her. I want more people in Manipur and the Northeast to know about Abilympics so that hidden talent can be recognised and supported.”
Manipur’s second winner, Abujum Arunkumar Meitei, who has a Locomotor Disability, earned a Silver medal in Basket Making—a category that highlights traditional craft and fine motor skills. Competing against participants from Jammu & Kashmir and other northern states, Meitei’s skill, design precision, and technique placed him firmly among India’s leading craft artists in this category.
Abujum Arunkumar Meitei added, “This Silver medal is not just mine—it belongs to my family and my state. Winning a medal at the Abilympics means the world to me. Basket making has always been my strength, and today it feels like my hard work has finally been seen.”
These victories reflect the growing visibility of the Northeast in India’s skilling and disability-inclusion ecosystem. Manipur has consistently demonstrated exceptional performance in vocational arts and therapeutic skills, and this year’s results further strengthen its reputation.
Dr. Jitender Aggarwal, Secretary-General of NAAI & Founder–CEO of Sarthak Educational Trust, congratulated the winners, stating “Manipur’s performance stands out for its depth of skill, discipline, and spirit. Naresh and Abujum are shining examples of how talent thrives when given the right platform. We look forward to seeing them train for Finland 2027 and represent India with pride.”
This year’s national winners are one step closer to achieving their dream to represent India on international stage at the 11th International Abilympics in Finland (2027), the global Work Skill Olympics for Persons with Disabilities. Their achievements reflect not just individual excellence but India’s growing capacity to build inclusive, skill-driven pathways for economic empowerment.
The National Abilympics 2025 was organized by Sarthak Educational Trust and the National Abilympic Association of India (NAAI), with support from the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), TPCDT, and IndusInd Bank.
For Manipur, these wins are more than medals—they are powerful reminders that opportunity, training, and recognition can unlock extraordinary human potential
