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'heART of the MATTER'- A Therapy of Love and Compassion | Gitanjali Sarangan | TEDxBITSHyderabad

3,249 views · Published 10 November 2014 · 22:08 · Indexed 2 October 2026

Channel: TEDx Talks · 2014 · Nonprofits & Activism

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This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Gitanjali Sarangan is challenging the mindset of a society that leaves very little room for tolerance, acceptance and understanding as she works with children and adults with special needs. She reveals her idea of incorporating art as a method of teaching them and as a tool to communicate in this intriguing and interactive talk. 

Gitanjali Sarangan, the Executive Director of Snehadhara Foundation  is an Arts Based Therapy (ABT) Practitioner and Guide who works closely with children and adults with special needs and their families. Her message here is strong and clear. What would it mean to create and learn of a world that does not discriminate, that has people who love you for who you are and not what you do; and become world citizens who are not quick to judge, but rather quick to embrace. What would it mean to pledge to make everyday count towards breaking mental barriers and building a world that accepts unconditionally?
She wishes to dedicate her life to giving these children a chance at an even playing field. It is an ongoing process, one that requires sacrifices and commitments every day. But for her, even shattering the biases of one person through efforts is an achievement.  She doesn’t want to change the world by herself. She wants the world to join her in her efforts, without judging one or each other. That is a victory like none other.
This buoyed her to set up Snehadhara Foundation, an organization based in Bangalore that is the first centre in India which uses Arts Based Therapy as the only methodology for working with children and adults with disabilities. The creative initiatives of Snehadhara team - overnight stays, buddy learning system, kitchen project (Oota-Tota) and several others, have uniquely integrated the ABT approach with learning and therapy. She has been recognized by Global Ethics Forum for being an individual who has stood up against inequality and taken action towards establishing a more equal, impartial and fair world. She is also one among two artists to be awarded the Artist’s Grant 2014 for the ‘Art in Education Program’ by the India Foundation for the Arts.
Gitanjali’s efforts towards social inclusiveness is not just to show these children a world outside of their own cocoon but also to get people who are moving on in their mundane lives, to sit up and attempt to move out of their own prejudiced shells. The twain shall meet, she believes, and with the fledging foundation’s efforts so far, we are already taking big strides

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

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