Project Junoon: How One Teen is Making the Arts Accessible for All

Aanya Jain, a grade 12 student at Modern School, Vasant Vihar, has launched Project Junoon, an initiative focused on creating equal opportunities and accessibility for individuals with disabilities within the realms of art, education, and culture. The project’s debut earlier this year saw the staging of "Akbar and Birbal," a bilingual musical production held at Delhi’s Akshara Theatre.

The performance brought together more than 50 students, with 12 Deaf and Hard of Hearing participants, utilizing Indian Sign Language (ISL) to ensure the show was inclusive and representative. By partnering with the Tamanna Autism Centre, Tamanna School of Hope, and Modern School, the initiative successfully connected different communities through an accessible creative stage. Aanya Jain managed the entire project, from its initial concept to the final performance, with the help of 25 volunteers and organizers.

The sold-out event welcomed notable attendees, including Ms. Vibha Khosla, Principal of Modern School, Ms. Malvika Singh, Board of Trustees member at Modern School, and Dr. Ritu Juneja, Director of Tamanna Autism Centre. The initiative proved highly successful, raising more than ₹2.5 lakh to fund disability inclusion efforts and demonstrating significant community support.

"Project Junoon is about transforming aspirations into reality by making creative spaces truly inclusive and accessible for everyone, regardless of ability. Through art, we can unite communities and celebrate diversity," said Aanya Jain, Founder of Project Junoon.