03/09/2026
31st January 2026.
NR Foundation Hosts 10K Run for Persons with Disabilities, Promoting Inclusion and Equal Opportunity
The NR Foundation organized a 10K Run for Persons with Disabilities on 31 January 2026 at Fun City, Sovima, Chümoukidema, Nagaland, under the theme “Run with Purpose, Run for Inclusion.” The event was held as part of the White Owl Literature Festival & Book Fair 2026 and brought together Persons with Disabilities, supporters, and members of the community in a celebration of inclusion, dignity and equal opportunity.
Vikengunu Fatima Kera, President of the Nagaland State Disability Forum, noted in her address that several participants with disabilities were making history by taking part in their first marathon in the state. She said that when given the right opportunities, persons with disabilities can demonstrate their abilities and contribute meaningfully to society. Kera also highlighted the forum’s continued efforts to promote inclusivity across different spheres of life, including within the Church.
Shri Limawabang Jamir, IAS, Secretary to the Government of Nagaland Department of Social Welfare, said the run was not merely about speed or distance but about inclusion and ensuring that no one is left behind. He acknowledged the efforts and participation of everyone involved in building a more inclusive society. Jamir emphasized that every individual deserves respect and opportunities simply by virtue of being human, adding that discrimination only holds society back. “When we choose inclusion, we choose strength. Our differences are what make us stronger, not weaker. Let us build a society where everyone belongs and no one is left behind. This run shows that when we come together, communities thrive,” he observed.
Addressing the gathering, former State Disability Commissioner Smti. Diethono Nakhro stated that disability itself is not the issue; rather, it is the barriers that people with disabilities encounter in their daily lives that create exclusion. She pointed to inaccessible buildings and public spaces, as well as social attitudes and perceptions, as some of the most significant barriers. Nakhro said that it is the mindsets and attitudes surrounding disability that need to change. She commended the 10K Run for Persons with Disabilities, presented by the NR Foundation, describing it as more than a sporting event but as a statement of values. “Inclusion does not belong only in policy documents or speeches, but it is in the action that we take; it is in public spaces, on our streets, in our everyday life and in our shared civic life,” she said. Nakhro also thanked festival director Viketuno Rio and the White Owl team for envisioning and organizing the run. She stated that although the event was centered on persons with disabilities, its larger purpose was to reflect on the kind of society people want to build. According to Nakhro, the run represented much more than speed or endurance—it was a run for dignity, inclusion, and solidarity. Drawing from her own lived experience of acquiring a disability following a 2006 accident, Nakhro spoke about the challenges faced by persons with disabilities. She said the greatest difficulty is often not the physical impairment itself but the way society responds to disability. Nakhro pointed out that assumptions and misconceptions about disability can be deeply damaging. She observed that when society assumes that a person’s life is over because of a disability, such attitudes can close doors before individuals are even given the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities. “Assumptions replace conversations; capabilities are questioned even before disabled people are able or given the chance to show what they can do,” she said. She emphasized that persons with disabilities face not only physical barriers but also social and attitudinal barriers. Disability, she stressed, should not be viewed as a tragedy or something that calls for pity. Instead, she advocated for a shift in the narrative, recognizing disability as a part of human life that may come with challenges but should never be a reason for pity or exclusion. Nakhro called for respect and equal opportunities, stressing that persons with disabilities deserve the same opportunities available to everyone else. With equal opportunities, she said, people with disabilities can realize their potential, pursue their dreams, and contribute fully to society. She also underscored the importance of ally-ship and thanked participants without disabilities who joined the run in solidarity. “Ally-ship is not about charity; it is about standing beside us, asking tough questions, and taking action,” she said. Encouraging the participants, Nakhro reminded them that they were present because they belonged, were worthy, and were equal citizens. She urged everyone to carry the spirit of the event beyond the marathon and continue working towards a society where inclusion is reflected not only in words but also in everyday actions.
The 10K Run for Persons with Disabilities thus stood as a powerful reminder that inclusion is not simply about participation in an event—it is about creating a society where every person is respected, valued, and given the opportunity to realize their full potential
