Before you watch Sitaare Zameen Par, what you should know about neurodivergence
Back in 2007, Ishaan's struggles in 'Taare Zameen Par' made India sit up and take notice of what dyslexia actually looks like. The film moved teachers to tears and prompted parents to hug their children a little tighter. It helped many realise, perhaps for the first time, that the child who couldn't spell 'umbrella' wasn't lazy or 'slow,' just different.Seventeen years later, we're being invited back into that dialogue. But this time, the scope is wider, and the terminology may be unfamiliar to many. The word is neurodivergence.advertisementBefore we head to the theatres tomorrow, popcorn and empathy in hand, it's worth pausing to get real. Because beyond the 70mm screen, in actual homes and classrooms across India, neurodivergent children are still misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and too often mistreated. They are invisible because most of us don't know what to look for. Or worse, they are dismissed as disobedient, their parents blamed for 'bad parenting,' or written off as something that needs to be 'fixed.'
So if you're planning to watch 'Sitaare Zameen Par' — and you care about the story it tells — here's what you really need to know.NEURODIVERGENCE IS NO FLAWWhat exactly is neurodivergence?Neurodivergent children experience and process the world through a different lens. This could mean a child with autism who finds loud noises overwhelming, or a child with ADHD who struggles to focus but bursts with creativity. It might be a teenager with dyscalculia who finds numbers confusing, or one with dyspraxia who struggles to button a shirt or hold a pencil.advertisementThese aren't problems to be corrected. They're simply natural variations of the human brain. But sadly, Indian society still treats these children as a problem. And that's where, as mental health expert Dr. Jitender Nagpal warns, 'lifelong damage' begins.SCHOOL UN-COOLIf you think schools today are equipped to handle neurodiverse children, think again. Sheetal Tyagi, who runs an NGO supporting neurodivergent children in India, says, 'Only a handful of progressive schools in urban areas have resource centres and trained professionals. Most schools, even in metros, are completely unprepared." Teachers have zero training in identifying or supporting neurodivergent students; special educators, where they exist, are overworked and underpaid. Not to forget, the entire system is obsessed with rote learning, rigid behaviour, and standardised performance.The fallout? A child who fails to cope with sensory overload is labelled 'naughty.' A child who can't sit still is dismissed as 'disruptive.' A child who needs extra time is written off as 'slow.'Labels that stick, and children who shrink under them.DIAGNOSIS IS A PRIVILEGEThe state of neurodivergence diagnosis in India is also bleak. 'Any mental health diagnosis is still seen as a luxury,' says Dr. Nagpal. "It requires awareness, time, money, and access to trained professionals. For rural areas or low-income families, that's nearly impossible.' And even when parents sense something's different, they're often met with indifference or denial: "Don't worry, he'll grow out of it.' 'Just discipline her more.'advertisementBy the time they find a qualified professional, the emotional and academic damage may already be done.INCLUSIVITY A SHAMWe love using the word 'inclusive' — in brochures, on school websites, and in social media posts. But inclusion isn't about a seat in a classroom or a token role in a film. As Tyagi puts it, true inclusion means 'creating environments where neurodivergent kids are not just allowed to exist — but are supported, understood, and celebrated every day.' More than a film, what we need is a culture that doesn't mock, sideline, or pathologise difference.Right now, we are nowhere close to that vision.If 'Sitaare Zameen Par' is anything like its predecessor, it will stir emotions. It might even change some minds. But let's be clear: it's still a film.It can show us glimpses of the neurodivergent experience — the beauty, the pain, the resilience. But it cannot fix the systemic ignorance, stigma, and lack of infrastructure that define life for most neurodivergent children in India.advertisementThat part is up to us.So, before you watch the film, ask yourself:Do I know the signs of autism, ADHD, or learning disabilities in children?Do I support policies that fund inclusive education and mental healthcare?Do I use words like 'crazy' or 'weird' to describe behaviours I don't understand?Have I ever spoken up when a neurodivergent person has been mocked, sidelined, or ignored?
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Experts from India and Nepal share insights on yoga
Lucknow: The importance of various asanas and pranayam was highlighted at an event organised by the Land Ports Authority of India in Bahraich on Friday, the eve of International Yoga Day . Experts from India and Nepal shared their insights. A renowned yoga and Ayurveda expert Sadanand Sharma emphasised the significance of yoga and meditation. A special International Yoga Day T-shirt was unveiled during the event. Krishna Pandey from Nepal discussed the physical impact of yoga asanas. Among other speakers were Pradeep Kumar, customs superintendent Rajeev Pandey, SSB assistant commandant Shivam and Nepal's Sardar Amreek Singh. The event saw participation from officials of Nepal's food quarantine and customs departments, as well as Indian counterparts from customs, immigration, plant quarantine, SSB and social workers. Chief guest Adarsh Nagar panchayat chairman Umashankar Vaishya praised Patanjali's contribution in giving a new direction to yoga. Manager of the Land Ports Authority of India Sudhir Sharma and seminar coordinator lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts in putting yoga on the global stage.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
International Yoga Day 2025 Live Updates: PM Modi to perform yoga with 3 lakh people in Vizag; UNHQ to join global celebrations
The 11th International Day of Yoga is being celebrated on June 21 with great enthusiasm across India and the world. This year's theme, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health,' highlights the deep connection between individual well-being and planetary health, echoing the Indian ethos of 'Sarve Santu Niramaya' (May all be free from disease). Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the national celebration from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, performing the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) with over 3 lakh participants. This massive demonstration is being held as part of the 'Yoga Sangam' initiative, which includes synchronised sessions at over 1 lakh locations across the country. In total, more than 2 crore people are expected to participate. To mark the decadal edition, the Government of Andhra Pradesh is also coordinating a Guinness World Record attempt and distributing over 50 lakh yoga certificates. A special highlight includes 25,000 tribal children performing 108 Surya Namaskars in 108 minutes at Andhra University. Across the country, events are taking place in full swing, including at 109 locations in Delhi, with a grand program at the Red Fort. The Ministry of Ayush has also launched 10 Signature Events—such as Yoga Bandhan, Harit Yoga, and Yoga Unplugged—to engage all sections of society. Globally, Indian embassies and cultural centres are hosting yoga demonstrations, while a major celebration is being held at the UN Headquarters in New York. Stay tuned as we bring you real-time updates, visuals, and key moments from across the globe in this grand celebration of India's wellness tradition. 00:47 (IST) Jun 21 International Yoga Day 2025 Live: Delhi to join with Red Fort event The national capital will see yoga events at 109 locations, including a major programme at the historic Red Fort, organised by Brahma Kumaris and supported by the Ministry of Ayush. 00:47 (IST) Jun 21 International Yoga Day 2025 Live: Surya namaskar by 25,000 tribal children In a powerful symbol of grassroots participation, 25,000 tribal children performed 108 Surya Namaskars in 108 minutes at Andhra University, reflecting yoga's expanding reach in rural India. 00:47 (IST) Jun 21 International Yoga Day 2025 Live: Global participation & guinness attempt in Andhra Pradesh With over 2 crore people expected to join yoga sessions across Andhra Pradesh, the state government is also coordinating a Guinness World Record attempt and issuing over 50 lakh yoga certificates to registered participants. 00:47 (IST) Jun 21 International Yoga Day 2025 Live: PM Modi to lead mass yoga event in Visakhapatnam Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the national celebrations from Visakhapatnam, joined by over 3 lakh participants. The Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) will be synchronised across more than 10 lakh locations under the ambitious 'Yoga Sangam' initiative. 00:46 (IST) Jun 21 International Day of Yoga 2025: India leads a global wellness revolution The stage is set for the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY), to be celebrated with unmatched scale and spirit on June 21. This year's theme, "Yoga for One Earth, One Health," reflects India's vision of aligning personal well-being with planetary health — rooted in the ancient ethos of Sarve Santu Niramaya and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. The 11th edition of International Day of Yoga (IDY) is being celebrated on June 21 with grandeur across India and the globe. This year's theme, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health,' reflects India's integrated vision of personal and planetary wellness, rooted in the ethos of 'Sarve Santu Niramaya' (May all be free from disease). Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the national event from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, where over 3 lakh participants are joining him in performing the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP). This mass demonstration is part of the 'Yoga Sangam' initiative, synchronised with yoga sessions at over 1 lakh locations across the country. Over 2 crore people are expected to participate in this historic event, which also includes a Guinness World Record attempt and the distribution of over 50 lakh yoga certificates by the Andhra Pradesh government. Major highlights include- 25,000 tribal children performing 108 Surya Namaskars in 108 minutes at Andhra University. Yoga celebrations at 109 venues in Delhi, including a grand event at the Red Fort, organised by Brahma Kumaris and supported by the Ministry of Ayush. A strong grassroots push, with Gram Panchayats, Anganwadis, and Community Health Centers actively participating following a letter from PM Modi to all Gram Pradhans. The launch of 10 Signature Events by the Ministry of Ayush, including Yoga Bandhan, Harit Yoga, Yoga Samavesh, Yoga Unplugged, Samyoga, and more, engaging diverse communities and showcasing yoga's evolution in modern times. Globally, Indian Missions and cultural centres are marking the day with yoga demonstrations, while the UN Headquarters in New York is hosting a celebration organised by the Permanent Mission of India to the UN. With over a decade of consistent growth and enthusiastic participation, IDY 2025 stands as a landmark in India's global leadership in wellness, celebrating yoga not just as a practice—but as a movement for holistic health, unity, and sustainability.
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
Over 11,000 Navy Personnel, Their Families To Join Yoga Day Event In Andhra
New Delhi: Over 11,000 naval personnel and their family members from the Navy's Eastern Naval Command would be participating in the grand Yoga Day celebrations in Visakhapatnam that will be led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, according to officials. These naval participants would be occupying around 10 enclosures along the scenic R K Beach stretch, forming an integral part of the historic gathering, a spokesperson of the Navy said on Friday. "In a parallel display at sea, yoga would also be practised on board Indian naval ships anchored off Visakhapatnam," he said. The impressive maritime lineup would include frontline Eastern Fleet ships and two Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessels, stationed at Visakhapatnam anchorage off the R K Beach, the official said. The ships, silhouetted against the Visakhapatnam skyline, stand as powerful symbols of the Indian Navy's commitment to the national vision of yoga . This year's theme of International Day of Yoga is 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health'. Elaborate arrangements have been made across the 26-km stretch from RK Beach in Visakhapatnam to Bhogapuram for the Saturday's grand event. Eastern Naval Command is proud to join in 'YogAndhra 2025', a landmark initiative spearheaded by Union Ministry of Ayush and the state government of Andhra Pradesh, celebrating the International Day of Yoga in the coastal city. Demonstrating commitment to holistic well-being, "over 11,000 naval personnel and their family members from Eastern Naval Command would be participating in the grand morning yoga session", he said.
