Nip India

April 16, 2025
Smt. Maneka Gandhi Honored by Neurodiversity Foundation with Inaugural Neuro Inclusive
Politician Award.
Neurodiversity Foundation Celebrates Pioneering Leadership in Advancing Rights for Neurodivergent
Communities

New Delhi, India – In a historic moment for India’s neurodiversity movement, the Neurodiversity Foundation presented its first Neuro Inclusive Politician (NIP) Award in India to Smt. Maneka Gandhi at a ceremony held on April 16 2025 at Maharaja Surajmal Institute of Technology. The event recognized her groundbreaking work in establishing The National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, and Multiple Disabilities in 1999 – a pivotal step in securing rights for
neurodivergent individuals in India.

Event Highlights and Quotes
● Smt. Maneka Gandhi: Smt. Gandhi received a standing ovation as she accepted the award, reflecting on her 25-year journey in neurodiversity advocacy. The honoree moved attendees with her vision for “an India where no mind is left behind and no one
feels powerless” and said “how the movement to set up the national trust was not just a legislative exercise but morally the right thing to do“. She emphasized “Inclusion is not about making room but believing room already exists and belongs to everyone. Inclusion is not charity, it’s justice. This award isn’t just for me – it’s for every parent who fought for their child’s right to exist with dignity.”

● Sachi Kaur, India Lead Neurodiversity Foundation: The organizer and India Project Lead for Neurodiversity Foundation, reflected on her personal connection with the cause and highlighted the importance of the National Trust Act by saying “ It was truly the first-of-its-kind law moving beyond physical disabilities that had been covered under earlier acts, Smt. Maneka’s work didn’t just
create policies; it declared that neurodivergent lives matter, belong, and deserve dignity. Maneka Ji’s work through the National Trust gives families of neurodivergent individuals hope – because it proves change is possible when leaders choose to see and value neurodivergent mind”

● Experts: Renowned psychiatrist Dr. R.P. Beniwal, senior research scientist Dr. Triptish Bhatia and Assistant Professor Dr.Supreet Bhasin presented groundbreaking data on prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders and the associated mental health issues in India, acknowledging “Individuals with autism can also live a full life if we provide them the rightful accommodations”

Notable Attendees
The ceremony brought together:
● Sh. Karnal Singh, IPS, Ex Director ED, Legal Advisor
● Sh. Kaptan Singh, Chairman, Maharaja Surajmal Institute
● Ms. Sachi Kaur, India Project Lead, Neurodiversity Foundation
● Dr. Archana Balyan, Director Maharaja Surajmal Institute of Technology
● Rajpal Singh Solanki, CA, Treasurer, Maharaja Surajmal Group of Institutions
● Ajit Singh Choudhary, General Secretary, Maharaja Surajmal Memorial Education Society
● Smt. Esha Jhakhar, Vice President, Maharaja Surajmal Memorial Education Society
● Dr. R.P. Beniwal, Consultant & Professor of Psychiatry, ABVIMS, Dr. R.M.L.Hospital
● Dr. Triptish Bhatia, PhD, Psychology and Senior Research Scientist, Dr. R.M.L.Hospital
● Dr.Supreet Bhasin, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Mata Sundri College for Women
● Around 200 staff members, students, clinicians and neurodivergent advocates

About the Organizer
The Neurodiversity Foundation (Netherlands, 2018) is a global non-profit dedicated to fostering neuro-inclusion through advocacy, education, and transformative projects The Foundation organized India’s first ND Pride Day across three cities in 2024 and this year marks its launch of the Neuro-inclusive Politician award in India. 

Articles in which the award was mentioned:

 

NEUROINCLUSIVE POLITICIAN AWARDs OF 2025-2026

Who are the politicians giving neurodivergents in India hope for their future?

There are many politicians who work hard for neurodivergents people and their rights. In the Netherlands and in India, they are celebrated for their efforts. To designate our political heroes, who show a positive example for other politicians to follow, the Neuro-Inclusive Politician Award, also known as the “NIP” has been created. After multiple editions in the Netherlands, in April 2025, the very first NIP Award for India will be awarded to a deserving politician.

During the award event, which will host about 300 individuals, the winner will accept their award, and share their vision of neuroinclusion. The event is coordinated and created by the ND Pride India national organizer Sachi Kaur and has the full backing of the Neurodiversity Foundation.

When the winner is formally announcement, the above image will be changed, to show the winner of the NIP Award 2025 in the place where there is currently the grey questionmark.

 

🌍 A Landmark Moment for Neuro-Inclusion in India 🇮🇳

On April 16th, the Fondazione Neurodiversità will host the first-ever Neuro Inclusive Politician (NIP) Award Ceremony at Maharaja Surajmal Institute of Technology, New Delhi.

This historic event celebrates political leadership that has created lasting impact for neurodivergent individuals through visionary policies and systemic change.

🎓 Expert Talks

  • Dr. R.P. Beniwal, Consultant & Professor of Psychiatry, ABVIMS, Dr. R.M.L. Hospital — “Neurodevelopmental Disorders”
  • Dr. Triptish Bhatia, PhD, Psychology, Senior Research Scientist, Dr. R.M.L. Hospital — “How to Identify Autism”
  • Dr. Supreet Bhasin, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Mata Sundri College for Women — “Suicides in the Neurodivergent Population”

🎤 Speeches and Opening Remarks

  • Sh. Kaptan Singh, Chairman, Maharaja Surajmal Memorial Education Society
  • Sh. Karnal Singh, IPS, Ex Director ED, Legal Advisor — Keynote Address & Award Presentation
  • Ms. Sachi Kaur, India Project Lead, Neurodiversity Foundation — Welcome & Closing Notes
  • Dr. Archana Balyan, Director, MSIT — Event Launch Address

This gathering is more than an award ceremony—it’s a call to action for building a neuro-inclusive society where all minds are valued and supported.

📍 Event Details

  • Date: April 16, 2025
  • Time: 1:00–2:30 PM IST
  • Venue: Maharaja Surajmal Institute of Technology, Janakpuri, New Delhi

🫱🏽‍🫲🏾 Join us to connect with policymakers, experts, and advocates shaping inclusive futures.

Media & RSVP: sachikaur08@gmail.com

 

 About the Award:

The Neuroinclusive Politician Award, commonly called the “NIP”, is a competition between nominated politicians who have, each in their field of focus, shown a neurodiversity or neurodivergent friendly approach in the political arena. These are “the politicians that give hope to neurodivergents for a neuroinclusive future”. Each two years, nominees are chosen, after a research period, and the winner of this title is selected by a  jury of neurodivergents & allies, during a six month evaluation & analysis period.

In 2023 the third edition of the NIP Award is organized and the winning politician is made public on Neurodiversity Pride Day on June 16th.

 

In 2025 the fourth edition is organized in India and in the Netherlands. 

The Award is a project that started in the Netherlands, and we hope for the fifth edition to inspire and collaborate with partners, friends and others to create their own NIP awards in their own countries.

The Neurodiversity foundation is open to joining forces with our ‘friends’ to scale up the award to other nations, that have politicians worth being recognized for their efforts. 

 Award Winners 

  • Winner NIP AWARD 2019-2021: Lisa Westerveld of “Groenlinks”
  • Winner NIP AWARD 2021-2022: Sylvana Simons of  “Bij1”
  • Winner NIP AWARD 2023-2024: Don Ceder, made public on Neurodiversity Pride Day on June 16 2023
  • Winner NIP AWARD 2025 India: The winner is Maneka Gandhi, the announcement was made public on April 16 2025 in New Delhi.
  • Winner NIP AWARD 2025 NL: The winner will be made public on November 16 2025