Chandigarh (Naval Kishore): The State-Level National Inclusive Theatre Festival (NITF) 2026 commenced today at PM SHRI Government Girls Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 18, Chandigarh, with great enthusiasm and a spirit of inclusivity. Organised under the aegis of the Government of India, Ministry of Education, Department of School Education & Literacy, the festival provides a unique platform for children with and without disabilities to express themselves through theatre, celebrate diversity, and promote equal participation.
The inaugural event was graced by Sh. Nitish Singla, Director School Education (DSE), Chandigarh Administration, as the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries present on the occasion included Ms. Bindu Arora, Deputy Director School Education (DDSE); Ms. Nirmal Sharma, DDSE-IV; and Sh. Sanjeev Singla, District Education Officer (DEO).
Around 400 students including CWSN are participating in the four-day state-level festival, scheduled from 12 to 15 October 2026. Five teams will present their performances each day, showcasing their creativity, talent, confidence, and collaborative spirit. A distinctive feature of the festival is that each participating team comprises a mix of children with and without special needs, fostering meaningful interaction, mutual understanding, and a sense of belonging.
Addressing the participants, Sh. Nitish Singla, Director School Education, congratulated the students and encouraged them to perform with confidence and enthusiasm. Emphasising the importance of participation over competition, he remarked that participating itself is winning. He urged all schools to encourage maximum student participation in such initiatives, which provide children with valuable opportunities to discover their potential and develop essential life skills.
The Director highlighted that inclusive programmes such as NITF go beyond artistic expression and play a significant role in nurturing cooperation, collaboration, empathy, leadership, and social responsibility among students. He reiterated the importance of creating educational environments where every child feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute.
The festival is being organised under the inspiring theme, “Together on Stage, Equal in Spirit,” reflecting the belief that differences in abilities should never become barriers to shared dreams and achievements. Through theatre and performing arts, students are encouraged to build friendships, challenge stereotypes, and appreciate diversity.
The festival will culminate on 15 October 2026, when the best-performing team will be selected for an opportunity to represent Chandigarh at the National-Level Theatre Workshop, which Chandigarh will host. This milestone will provide the selected students with a valuable platform to showcase their talent and engage with inclusive theatre at the national level.
The National Inclusive Theatre Festival 2026 stands as a significant step towards strengthening inclusive education and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to participate, perform, and shine. The initiative reinforces the message that when children learn and perform together, they build not only artistic skills but also the values essential for a compassionate, equitable, and inclusive society.
