By Ms Michelle Pereira for BIS Mumbai

Navi Mumbai witnessed history on the ground on December 21, 2025 as Don Bosco Academy, Nerul, transformed into a vibrant, compassionate carnival of inclusion with the grand success of FUNTOOSH Mega Mela 2025—a first-of-its-kind initiative dedicated to autistic and special children and their families. What unfolded was not just an event, but a powerful social movement that seamlessly blended adaptive sports, therapy, creativity, community bonding, and pure joy under one roof.

 Over 2,000+ children and parents participated in thoughtfully designed game stalls, creative zones, therapy interactions, and adaptive sports activities, ensuring that every child could participate with dignity, confidence, and joy.

 The event began on a high note with the ceremonial release of balloons at the inauguration by Ms Wenonah Castellino, Founder and Director of Wading Through Life – FUNTOOSH. This was followed by an inspiring address by Fr Barnabe D’Souza, Director of Don Bosco Academy, Nerul. The dignitaries on stage included Fr Leon Cruz, Director DBYS, members of the Rotary Club of Smart City Navi Mumbai, including Chief Guest Mr Sirjit (DGND) and President Ms Nazia Momin. The Rotary Club played a crucial role by sponsoring participation for many children from underprivileged backgrounds.

 Children enthusiastically engaged in inclusive games such as Ring Toss, Bowling, Treasure Hunt, Bubble Station, Pom Pom Transfer, Color Sorting, Feed the Cow, Feed the Clown, Knock the Pyramid, and One Minute Fame. Each activity was carefully curated to support sensory needs, motor skills, emotional expression, and confidence-building.

 The Adaptive Sports Arena emerged as the heart of the mela. Activities including football, basketball, coordination drills, and movement-based games were facilitated by trained sports coaches from WTL and Prafulta Psychological Services, powerfully demonstrating how sports can serve as a medium for healing, confidence, and social connection.

 The stage came alive with spellbinding performances throughout the evening—Bharatanatyam solo, mime acts, a magic show, ramp walks featuring parents and children, flash mobs, dance performances, Christmas carols by the choir from Don Bosco Matunga with Santa Claus, and heart-warming family acts. These performances celebrated participation over perfection, redefining success through joy. Each child received game, food and a party pack coupons to enjoy the evening.

 Parents watched with visible emotion and pride as their children participated freely, many for the first time in a public space. One parent shared, “Everything was top-notch and exceptionally well organized. Our children had the proud opportunity to participate on stage as part of the mainstream. This was incredibly unique—because in most fun fairs, they are often side-lined.”

 Dedicated zones offered free counselling, psychological guidance, therapy interactions, rapid assessments, and parent workshops, allowing families to connect directly with psychologists, special educators, counsellors, and occupational and speech therapists from Prafulta—turning confusion into clarity and isolation into community.

 The success of FUNTOOSH Mega Mela 2025 stands as a testament to meaningful collaboration between Don Bosco Academy, WTL – Wading Through Life FUNTOOSH, Prafulta Psychological Services, Social Services team at DBA, student volunteers, media partners, and countless supporters. Above all, it reaffirmed a simple yet powerful truth: Inclusion is not charity—it is shared humanity in action.