- Dimple Goenka receives IFIP Distinguished Fellowship for advancing inclusive education and empowering neurodiverse individuals
- Saaransh Foundation and Pehchaan create pathways from education and skills to dignity and independence
- Recognition spotlights Bholaram Education Society and Delhi Public School, Gandhinagar’s inclusive education vision
- WIC India 2026 honours practitioners shaping a more equitable, accessible and inclusive society
NE FEATURES BUREAU
NEW DELHI, AUG 19
When inclusion moves beyond a slogan and becomes a pathway to education, skills, dignity and independence, the impact reaches far beyond institutions—it transforms lives. In a significant recognition of such purpose-driven work, Dimple Goenka, Founder of Saaransh Foundation and Co-founder of Bholaram Education Society, has been conferred the Distinguished Fellowship of the International Forums of Inclusion Practitioners (IFIP) for her contribution to inclusive education and initiatives creating meaningful opportunities for neurodiverse individuals.
Global recognition for a grassroots mission
The prestigious fellowship was presented to Goenka at the inaugural World Inclusion Conference (WIC) India 2026, held at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. The conference brought together educators, inclusion practitioners, institutions and organisations to deliberate on strategies for making inclusion an integral part of education and society.
The WIC India 2026 was organised by AFAIRS, IFIP’s exclusive Strategic Partner for the South Asia region, providing a common platform for stakeholders working towards more equitable and inclusive systems.
From education to empowerment
Goenka’s recognition honours her sustained work through Saaransh Foundation and Pehchaan, the foundation’s vocational arm, which focuses on education, skill development and creating pathways towards greater independence for neurodiverse individuals.
Through these initiatives, the foundation has been working to expand opportunities for people with diverse learning and developmental needs, with a strong emphasis on education, vocational preparedness, self-reliance and dignified participation in society.
The fellowship thus reflects a larger philosophy—that genuine inclusion is not merely about providing access, but about enabling individuals to discover their abilities, acquire skills and participate meaningfully in the community.
Gujarat’s inclusive education story gains global spotlight
The honour also assumes significance for Bholaram Education Society and Delhi Public School, Gandhinagar, reflecting their wider commitment to creating educational environments where diversity is recognised as a strength and every learner is given the opportunity to progress.
For Gujarat, the international recognition of a practitioner associated with Gandhinagar adds another dimension to the state’s growing narrative around progressive education, skill development and inclusive learning.
A milestone—and a fresh responsibility
The IFIP Distinguished Fellowship places Goenka among practitioners recognised for their contribution to the field of inclusion, while highlighting the growing global importance of inclusive education in India’s broader social and educational development agenda.
For Saaransh Foundation and Bholaram Education Society, the honour is more than an individual achievement. It is a morale-boosting milestone for their continuing mission to build bridges between education, employability, independence and community participation for neurodiverse individuals.
As inclusion increasingly moves to the centre of conversations on education and social development, Goenka’s recognition underlines a powerful message: when education opens its doors to every learner, society itself becomes more capable of opening doors to every individual.
