Akan turns Independence Day into call for inclusion

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Independence Day celebrations at Akan Hyderabad took on a deeper meaning this year, using food, music and art to raise awareness about the everyday freedoms and challenges experienced by people with disabilities. Akan Aahvaanam 2026 brought together more than 500 guests at SHERO for a “Pay-As-You-Please” lunch, with proceeds supporting accessibility initiatives, autism support programmes and skill-development workshops for neurodivergent youth through The Good Talk Factory Foundation (TGTF).

The event was attended by Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana, actress and educationist Dhaassyam Geetha Bhascker, Temple Architect Anand Sai, Dr Zelalem Birhanu Taffesse of UNICEF Hyderabad, journalists Anjali and Swapna, actor Kadambari Kiran and other guests. Jayesh Ranjan said Independence Day was an opportunity to reflect on whether the benefits of social and economic progress were reaching everyone equally. He stressed the need for greater attention to the challenges faced by people with disabilities.

Geetha Bhascker described inclusion as a shared responsibility and emphasized the importance of recognizing different experiences and perspectives. Conceptualised by Nihal Reddy, Aahvaanam seeks to combine hospitality with a social cause, focusing on awareness and fundraising each year. This year’s gathering featured an aritaku bhojanam, live acoustic performances and community participation.

The event also provided wheelchair access, low-sensory seating and sensory-friendly service hours. A screening of TGTF’s documentary The Dream We Share further highlighted personal stories and inclusion efforts. The proceeds will support accessibility improvements across Hyderabad, autism support for families and skill-development programs for neurodivergent youth, reinforcing the message that freedom is meaningful only when it is accessible to all.