Karishma’s journey as the contributing member of the society began in 2011 with her 4 solo exhibitions and Two auction events, in India and Vietnam and has donated over 150 paintings ! Her exhibitions and auctions has raised over 135, 000 USD for charities supporting infant heart surgeries, pre-mature babies and special education in Vietnam and India.
Karishma is the recipient of the ‘World Downs Syndrome International Award’ 2014 and again in 2018 for self-advocacy from India International Down syndrome Federation.
Karishma has modelled for a prestigious jeweller CKC & Sons in Bangalore and walked the ramp for the Karnataka Women Achievers Award Event. Karishma Participated in India’s largest fashion show organised by Aasmaan foundation. She is also the recipient of the 2019 Karnataka Women Achievers Award.
Karishma has spoken at the United Nations, Geneva in 2019 on the occasion of the World Downs Syndrome Day Celebrations. She is now part of the NGO Atypical Advantage, selling her artwork through their platform and raising funds to support pre-mature babies. Karishma has also spoken in several events as a Self-advocate – Small Big Wins Podcast, Avtar – Diversity Mahautsav, Indian leadership Academy – Women Leadership Program “STREE”. Leadership Et’ Humanite – The Game Changer Dialogue Series, July 2024. She conducted an art workshop for Enable India in 2025 on the occasion of the World Down syndrome day. She is the Ambassador for Art to Connect, supporting their initiative every year connecting 300+ schools Nationally
Karishma has modelled for a prestigious jeweller CKC & Sons in Bangalore and walked the ramp for the Karnataka Women Achievers Award Event. Karishma Participated in India’s largest fashion show organised by Aasmaan foundation. She is also the recipient of the 2019 Karnataka Women Achievers Award.
As a self-advocate, Karishma was the Ambassador for Downs Syndrome at the International Purple Fest Goa 2022. Represented Enable India for their events. Karishma trained in mountaineering with The HAATA (High Altitude Adventure Training Academy-Katmandu Nepal). She recently walked at the Changla Pass, Ladakh at 17,866 ft for High Altitude acclimatation.
Apart from painting and Yoga, she has developed many interests. Karishma contributed her services briefly in a Café, where she along with few other special friends served customers and ensured happy customer-care. Karishma enjoys music and lately has been learning to play key-board. ‘Que sera, sera…what ever will be, will be…’ is currently her favorite number and she relentlessly attempts to perfect it no mater how challenging it is for her to play! Bowling has now become a family activity for the weekends as she enjoys it very much. She loves travelling and has been to 9 countries so far. She enjoys adventure sports and has explored (under water) ocean-walking in Bali, jet-skiing, Para-sailing and swimming in the sea in the beaches of Vietnam. She has ventured to take worlds fastest rides at the Ferrari world, Abu Dhabi, experienced sand dune rides in the desserts of Dubai. Occasionally gardening, cooking, caring for her pet, exercising daily, dancing and watching movies is her favorite pass time.
At present,(as of July 2013) Karishma can independently deal with all her normal ‘activities of daily living’ like for example she begins the day waking up, taking her prescribed medicines, brushing teeth, bathing-shampooing, choosing her cloths from ward-robe, grooming self and joining family for break-fast. She can help with fixing a simple meal and all other normal domestic chores like setting table for lunch/dinner, serving, clearing, cleaning after meals, washing, gardening etc. She enjoys being a very caring host! She can independently use electric gadgets like music systems, TV, i-pad, hair-dryer, tread-mill and some exercising equipments. She prefers to have supervision while using gadgets like microwave, washing machine, ironing box, grinders and cooking stoves. Outside home, she conducts herself safely and prefers company. As she is not very comfortable with money-concepts because she had to deal with different currencies, she prefers elder’s company while shopping but chooses what to shop independently. She cannot yet use public transport independently. She served in a café briefly and was acknowledged for building good customer relationship. She can assist her teacher in yoga camps.
Sometimes a sudden change in her planned schedule for the day upsets Karishma. She likes to plan ahead all her activities and participates in discussing all details. Although she understands when explained but there is an initial display of disturbance if there is a change. The communication gaps due to foreign language and culture or lack of awareness in general sometimes disturbs her and causes her stress when she feels she is not being understood by others. Talking to her and making her aware of the differences mostly helps the situation. Sometimes avoiding situations and company where she feels her self image is affected seems the best solutions and sometimes as parents we do make the effort of building awareness amongst her immediate circle of influence.
To us, Karishma has always been a blessing and a guiding angel. She has taught us the true meaning of ‘life’ and ‘living’! Talking about her personality, she is a very independent young adult. She is warm, caring and affectionate and always ready to reach-out. She likes to relate and likes a ‘happy family’ around her. She lives in the moment totally. She has a very good self-image and positive attitude. Karishma is aware of her limitations too. She is very vulnerable and emotional person and hence can get disturbed easily. She respects and loves people who are close to her. Her love is unconditional. She is adaptable and loves surprises. She likes good attention from people around her. Karishma is very expressive and demonstrative. She dreams about a happy family life and a ‘prince charming’ like any other young adult. Karishma is beautiful, in her looks and also in her outlook to life. She is gifted with inner and outer beauty!
As parents we are enjoying dedicating ourselves to our children and we are happy that both our children are doing very well in their respective lives. Our younger one, Kajol is moving on in life, graduating as a Lawyer in Australia and now employed in Brisbane. Karishma continues to support social causes and is a contributing member of the society. While we can dedicate rest of our lives in creating a better world around Karishma, our major concern will always be ‘what after us?’ Finding answers…!
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