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Victory – Rise of Champions: A Grand Celebration of Talent, Inclusion, and the Human Spirit

BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE

Cumming, GA, November 14, 2025: On November 2, 2025, the Wonders of World (WOW) Foundation proudly celebrated the grand success of its inclusive talent showcase, “Victory – Rise of Champions.” At North Forsyth High School.  The event illuminated the stage with extraordinary performances by both neurodiverse and neurotypical individuals, proving that true talent knows no boundaries.

The evening was graced by distinguished guests, including Mr. Todd Levent, District 3 Commissioner, Forsyth County; Mr. Karthik Bhatt, Board Director, Bharatiya American Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Hanuman Nandanampati, CEO of SVK Systems; Mr. Mustafa Ajmeri, Indian Cultural Ambassador in Atlanta; and Mr. Krish Goyal, Cultural Pioneer in Atlanta.

Experts in healthcare, psychology, and neurodiversity, including Dr. Deepthi Talluri, Behavioral Therapy Coach, MHA, and Hospital/Healthcare Administrator associated with the Forsyth Mental Health and Drug Awareness Council; Dr. Ayesha Suneja, Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Director for the Brothers Keeper Veterans Foundation (BKVF); Dr. Monal Shah, Pediatrician and Pulmonary Specialist at Peach Clinic and Neurodiversity Advocate; Dr. Hiral Lavinia, Founder and Owner of One Family Pediatrician and Neurodiversity Ambassador; and Dr. Madhuri Viswanadam, Pediatrician at Dare2Care and Advocate for Children with Neurodiverse Abilities spoke at the event.

Many other community leaders and supporters were recognized, making the evening an inspiring and memorable celebration of talent and inclusion.

The showcase brought together performers of all abilities, presenting music, dance, art, and creative expression in its purest form. Each performance was a testament to resilience, dedication, and the unwavering belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to shine.

“Victory – Rise of Champions” was not just a performance, it was a movement. The event embodied WOW Foundation’s mission to celebrate neurodiversity, inspire inclusion, and empower every individual, regardless of ability. Audiences were moved not only by the exceptional talent on stage but also by the profound demonstration of unity, compassion, and creativity.

The success of the event reaffirmed the foundation’s belief that when opportunities are created with love and inclusion, every individual becomes a champion, said Madhu, Founder of the Wonders of World Foundation. “Our performers did not just entertain, they inspired us all to see the beauty in differences and the strength of togetherness.”

The evening concluded with heartfelt applause, emotional moments, and a deep sense of pride as participants, families, and supporters celebrated the rise of true champions.

Victory was more than a celebration of talent; it was a celebration of courage, connection, and community. The event marks a significant milestone in WOW Foundation’s journey to create inclusive spaces where every ability is recognized, celebrated, and empowered. The WOW Foundation team expressed gratitude to the community for its continued encouragement and support and invited everyone to stay tuned for exciting new projects in 2026.

Understanding Neurodiversity

Neurodiversity refers to the natural variation in how human brains develop and function, including differences such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and other learning or cognitive profiles. Globally, it is estimated that roughly 15 to 20 percent of people may have some form of neurodivergent trait, according to JusCorpus (2023). In India, studies suggest that approximately 9 to 12 percent of the population, particularly children, are neurodivergent or have neurodevelopmental disorders (PMC, 2016; IDR Online, 2022). NASSCOM (2021) reports that around 39 percent of Indian young adults aged 18 to 24 self-identify as neurodivergent. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2022) states that about 3.2 percent of children aged 8 years were identified with autism spectrum disorder. These figures highlight the prevalence of neurodiversity across age groups, countries, and communities, underscoring the importance of creating inclusive opportunities and support systems for all individuals.

WOW – Wonders of World Foundation

Madhu, Founder of WOW Foundation, shared, “WOW – Wonders of World Foundation was founded in honor of my late father, Dr. Rajanna, an educator and philanthropist. I wanted to turn his legacy of giving back into a living reality. The foundation celebrates neurodiverse talent, creates opportunities for self-expression, and empowers individuals of all abilities to thrive.”

She added, “In collaboration with our sister organization, Shaurya Art Foundation in India, we have seen how holistic mind-body training in performing arts nurtures talent, builds confidence, and improves the quality of life for children and their families. Inspired by this, WOW Foundation is creating similar opportunities here, providing inclusive spaces where neurodiverse individuals and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities can showcase their talents and gain confidence.”

“As an artist in Indian classical and folk dance, I believe talent knows no boundaries, yet many face barriers to participation, recognition, and acceptance. That is why WOW Foundation was created, not just as an organization, but as a movement to embrace and celebrate abilities in all individuals,” Madhu said.

She expressed her gratitude, “I am deeply thankful to everyone who has supported this journey, especially my family—my mother Satya, my daughters Samira and Sindhura, my husband Venkat, and friends Bhanu, Sindhu, and Prakshep Mistry, a celebrated award-winning choreographer and neurodiverse coach. I also want to acknowledge my mentor and the founder of Shaurya Art Foundation in India, who inspired this journey.”For more information, visit www.wondersofworldfoundation.org

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