4th Blind Chase Bhopal Heritage Car Rally 2010 The 4th Blind Challenge Car- Rally was organized in association with Sight Savers International in Bhopal on 14th February 2010. There were 50 cars with 100 participants - drivers and the visually impaired (blind) navigators took part. The rally was flagged off by Shri Babu Lal Gaur, Minister Government of Madhya Pradesh from Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, at 10 AM. This year the theme of the rally was based on heritage of Bhopal. The rally covered around 30 km within Bhopal Municipal limits. Starting from Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, it moved around old Bhopal touching various heritage points like Bada Talab, Gohar Mahal, Moti Masjid. Shauqat Mahal, Fatehgarh Fort, Tajul Masjid, Taj Mahal, BHEL, Bittan Market, PNT Chauraha and culminated at the Indira Gandhi Rashtrya Manav Sangrahalaya. En-route there were five time control and passage control check points.

The prize distribution ceremony took place at the auditorium of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya. The chief guest for the prize distribution ceremony was Shri Umashankar Gupta, Home Minister Government of Madhya Pradesh. There were cash prizes from Sightsavers International for first three winners. All navigators were given Braille watches sponsored by Sightsavers International. The program was conducted by Mr. Ashish from Big 92.7 FM. All participants were given prizes and the gifts by various sponsors.

The event was covered by the media and a short documentary featuring the event was also made. A number of Corporate and Private organizations sponsored gifts and support in kind for the event. The major sponsors were Sightsavers International, Mittal Institute of Technology, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, IES Group of Institutions, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Chirayu Hospital, Aquarius Inc. and Hotel Noor-us Sabah.
Volunteers of Arushi actively participated along with Event Management Group (Genius) in the smooth conduct of the event.

The objectives set out for the event were largely achieved. It was able to generate awareness regarding visual impairment. Visually impaired persons were able to showcase their talents. The event was able to instill confidence in them. It was also a good platform for their social inclusion.

6th International Film Festival on Disability    The 6th International Film Festival dedicated to Persons with Disabilities was held in Bhopal from 22nd Jan to 18th Feb 2010 in association with Sightsavers International. The idea was to use the medium of mainstream films to show disabled persons in positive light bringing out the challenges faced by them; the role of other stakeholders in mainstreaming them; and for generating awareness and sensitization of masses.   The inauguration of the Film Festival was held on 22nd January 2010 at Bharat Bhavan Bhopal with screening of the popular Hindi film KOI MIL GAYA which was based on the story of a developmentally disabled boy. The Inaugural function was presided over by Shri Laxmikant Sharma, Culture, Higher Education and Public Relation Minister, Government of Madhya Pradesh. Posters on disability and inclusion developed by Arushi were also displayed at the venues. There was a great response during all the three shows at Bharat Bhawan. The audience had a number of queries related to disability which were answered by the organizers.  The audience included college students, parents, senior citizens, teachers, artists, social workers and volunteers from various organizations. Films were also screened at various other places in and around Bhopal. Film Shows: Bharat Bhawan 22nd January 2010: KOI MIL GAYA (Hindi) Director- Rakesh Roshan, TARA, a documentary on positive story of an orthopedically handicapped girl. 23rd January 2010:  MY LEFT FOOT (English) Director- Jim Sheridan, TINA, a documentary on a girl with amputee arms. 24th January 2010: WARM SPRINGS (English) Director- Joseph Sargent, SAURABH KI KAHANI, a documentary on a boy with Cerebral Palsy.

Other Venues

Central Reserve Police Force, (CRPF), Bungrasia, Bhopal, 20th February 2010. Three films were shown: EK NAZAR, TARA, TINA. Interaction of the staff with kids in the movie was facilitated. Around 250 people attended.  A sensitization session was also undertaken after the movie which evoked a very good response and participation from people. An identification and counseling camp was also conducted for the CRPF staff.

JICM, Bhopal, 19th February 2010. Two film shows and a sensitization program were held for the students and faculty members. 35 students and 5 faculty members were present. Students interacted with children with visual impairment and tried to gather information about different aspects of their life. As a follow up activity, a batch of students and a team of professors celebrated Holi at Arushi with the students.

Mittal Institute of Technology, 10th and 12th February 2010. Two film shows at the Mittal Institute of Technology were screened. Films included TARA, RAJA, BLACK and SPARSH.  Many students got themselves registered as volunteers to read for the blind.

NRHM, Ramlila Mela, Vidisha, 18th February 2010. Two films KOSHISH and EK NAZAR were screened in Vidisha at NRHM, DAVP, Government of India as a follow up to an identification camp. 27 children were identified at the camp. Parents and caretakers were counseled.

Yashratna College of Special Education for Mental Retardation, Nagpur, 25th February 2010. 42 students and 7 teacher visited Arushi for a sensitization program during which they were shown EK NAZAR -  a positive story of two visually challenged children.

EK NAZAR and SAURABH KI KAHANI were shown at an early identification camp organized by Dainik Bhaskar Group and the Gayatri Shakti Peeth on 24th January 2010. 67 infants needing specialized care were identified. Later parents were shown these movies as part of a counseling session.