"Young people are architects of change, building inclusion with every action. Their energy, ideas, and resilience hold the key to transforming societies and shaping a world where everyone can thrive. Inspired by the timeless vision of Swami Vivekananda, we at CBM India, are dedicated to empowering young people, with and without disabilities, to develop their capabilities and lead with confidence.
India's youth are not just the leaders of the future but also the changemakers of today. Through access to education, skills development, and opportunities for growth, we aim to dismantle barriers and create a future where every young person's talent is recognized and celebrated. Inclusion is not just a principle but a practice that has the power to transform communities and ensure that everyone is included.
On this National Youth Day, we honor the courage and determination of our young generation and reaffirm our commitment to supporting their journey. By promoting their growth and working towards building an inclusive society, we can create a future where every young person has the opportunity to take charge and inspire transformative progress."
Sony Thomas, Executive Director, CBM India
Dr Sara Varughese is the Managing Trustee of CBM India. A renowned disability-inclusive development and public health expert, she is on several national and international expert committees as an advisor and active leader.
Her previous positions include Programme Manager, Disability & Rehabilitation at the WHO South East Asia Regional Office and Regional Director of CBM South Asia and Country Director of CBM India. She is one of four experts selected from across India to develop a government training programme for community-based inclusive development workers. A regular contributor to and peer reviewer for international journals, she was invited to peer review WHO's World Report for heir vision in 2018. She is also the Secretary of Right to Sight India, a forum of over 150 NGOs, and was the President of the forum between 2014 and 2017 in Vision 2020.
A graduate of CMC Vellore and a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh
(Ophthalmology), Dr Varughese did her Master's in Public Eye Health from ICEH, LSHTM. She is passionate about disability-inclusive development and promoting healthcare equity.
