KARACHI: Alishba’s Art n Café located in the Metropolis’ chique milieu (Bukhari Commercial DHA Phase VI: known for its high-end brand outlets, eateries for gourmets and outdoor dining) was the venue where a group of Szabist* students (MS- ELM Advanced Psychology) converged recently with their HoD (Edu) Dr. Najam-un-Nisa Khan.
Here they witnessed the real essence of Social Inclusion.
Students appreciated the art work and met with the artist Syeda Alishba Amin-ud-Din.
It is pertinent to mention here that this is the first kind of Art café in Pakistan which is owned by a girl with Down Syndrome.
Dr. Iffet Sultana, co-founder Alishba’s Art n Café gave a brief presentation to the students.
She shared the journey of her daughter Alishba and highlighted the objectives of the Art café.
I. Celebrating diversity through socially conscious art;
II. Embracing differences, representing uniqueness, creating heartfelt art;
III. Expressing a world of possibilities through different strokes;
IV. Painting the world as one with art that speaks;
V. Taking chances, making changes through art that inspires action.
VI. Creating art so intense it impacts.
VII. To create socially conscious art today to inspire a consciously social tomorrow;
She stressed the importance of social inclusion and its importance; Social inclusion means in part that people with disabilities have “full and fair access to activities, social roles, and relationships directly alongside non-disabled citizens.”
In her presentation she has created awareness regarding Down Syndrome. She stated:
“Down syndrome occurs when an individual has an extra partial (or whole) copy of chromosome 21.
“It is not yet known why this syndrome occurs, but Down syndrome has always been a part of the human condition.
“It exists in all regions across the globe and commonly results in variable effects on learning styles, physical characteristics and health.
“Adequate access to health care, to early intervention programmes, and to inclusive education, as well as appropriate research, are vital to the growth and development of the individual.”
In December 2011, the General Assembly declared 21 March as World Down Syndrome Day (A/RES/66/149).
The General Assembly decided, with effect from 2012, to observe World Down Syndrome Day on 21 March each year.
In order to raise public awareness of Down syndrome, the General Assembly invites all Member States, relevant organizations of the UN system and other international organizations, as well as civil society, including non- governmental organizations and the private sector, to observe World Down Syndrome Day in an appropriate manner.
Researches showed that estimated incidence of Down Syndrome is between 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 1,100 live births worldwide. Each year, approximately 3,000 to 5,000 children are born with this chromosome disorder.
The quality of life of people with Down syndrome can be improved likewise Alishba and other.
Prominent personalities with Down syndrome, by meeting their health care needs, including regular check-ups with health professionals to monitor mental and physical condition.
To provide timely intervention be it physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, counselling or special education.
Individuals with Down syndrome can achieve optimal quality of life through parental care and support, medical guidance, and community based support systems such as inclusive education at all levels.
This facilitates their participation in mainstream society and the fulfillment of their personal potential.
At the last Alishba gave a vote of thanks and appreciated the visit of Szabist students to her Art Café where diversity isn’t just appreciated but celebrated.
Syeda Alishba Amin-ud-Din, is reckoned by critics as an ordinary girl with an extraordinary vision and drive.
Alishba is an Artist, a disability right activist, a social entrepreneur, a languages enthusiast with fluency in Urdu, English, French, German and Italian.
Now, she is also an aspiring socially responsible business woman with Art n’ Café` as her first major milestone towards inspiring a more healing, peaceful and tolerant world.
Newspakistan.tv
*The Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST) is a fully Chartered Institute established through a Legislative Act of the Sindh Assembly (Sindh Act No. XI of 1995) and is approved and recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan, as a degree awarding institution. At present, SZABIST has campuses in Karachi, Islamabad, Larkana, Hyderabad, Dubai and Gharo.
