Dr. Mallika Nadda, President of Special Olympics Bharat, has been working in the field of disability and social development for the past 30 years. Driven by a deep sense of social responsibility, she has played a significant role in fostering social change, inclusive development, and character building in society. After completing her Doctorate in History, she served as an academic at Himachal Pradesh University. Born in Jabalpur, Dr. Mallika Nadda inherited the values of selfless service from her parents, who were prominent social and political figures of their time. Her father was a Pracharak (full-time volunteer) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, while her mother was an active member of the Jan Sangh and served as a Member of both the Legislative Assembly and the Lok Sabha. Inspired by her mother and deeply influenced by eminent personalities such as Shri Sadashivrao Deodhar, then Organising Secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Dr. Nadda was naturally drawn towards the path of service and nation building.
As an elected Student Union President, she played an active role in both her college and Rani Durgavati University. She was also a founding member of Viklang Sewa Bharati in Jabalpur and has consistently worked to ensure dignity, inclusion, and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. In 1991, after her marriage to Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, she founded Chetna Sanstha in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. The organisation works towards the empowerment of persons with disabilities, women empowerment, and youth personality development. In 2002, she initiated Special Olympics Bharat Himachal Pradesh and, for the first time, introduced snow sports and winter games for persons with intellectual disabilities, enabling Indian athletes to participate in the Special Olympics World Winter Games. Dr. Mallika Nadda has been honoured with several prestigious awards for her exemplary contribution towards child development, education, inclusion, and social service. In 2010, she received the Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India. In 2011, she was conferred with the Derozio Award for her contribution in the field of education and human development. She was also honoured with the Rotary Shreyas Award in 2015–16 for her outstanding social service and commitment towards inclusive development. Over the years, she has received recognition from several national and international organisations for her dedicated work in the field of disability inclusion and community service. In 2021, Dr. Mallika Nadda took charge as the President of Special Olympics Bharat. Under her leadership, the organisation witnessed remarkable expansion in outreach, athlete participation, health initiatives, and unified inclusion programmes across the country. Post-COVID, on the occasion of World Health Day in April 2022, she spearheaded the Divyang Health Fest at 133 locations across India. More than 100,000 persons with intellectual disabilities were digitally registered and provided health services through this nationwide initiative. The extraordinary effort earned Special Olympics Bharat recognition in the Guinness World Records, Asia Book of Records, and the World Talent Organization. Dr. Mallika Nadda currently serves as the Chairperson of the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Advisory Council, where she plays a key role in strengthening inclusion, athlete leadership, and regional collaboration across Asia Pacific nations. In April 2026, she was appointed as a Member of the Special Olympics International Advisory Board, where she now serves as a Board Member, contributing towards the global vision and strategic direction of the Special Olympics movement worldwide.
Biography
Dr. Mallika Nadda, President of Special Olympics Bharat, has been working in the field of disability and social development for the past 30 years. Driven by a deep sense of social responsibility, she has played a significant role in fostering social change, inclusive development, and character building in society. After completing her Doctorate in History, she served as an academic at Himachal Pradesh University. Born in Jabalpur, Dr. Mallika Nadda inherited the values of selfless service from her parents, who were prominent social and political figures of their time. Her father was a Pracharak (full-time volunteer) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, while her mother was an active member of the Jan Sangh and served as a Member of both the Legislative Assembly and the Lok Sabha. Inspired by her mother and deeply influenced by eminent personalities such as Shri Sadashivrao Deodhar, then Organising Secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Dr. Nadda was naturally drawn towards the path of service and nation building.
As an elected Student Union President, she played an active role in both her college and Rani Durgavati University. She was also a founding member of Viklang Sewa Bharati in Jabalpur and has consistently worked to ensure dignity, inclusion, and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. In 1991, after her marriage to Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, she founded Chetna Sanstha in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. The organisation works towards the empowerment of persons with disabilities, women empowerment, and youth personality development. In 2002, she initiated Special Olympics Bharat Himachal Pradesh and, for the first time, introduced snow sports and winter games for persons with intellectual disabilities, enabling Indian athletes to participate in the Special Olympics World Winter Games. Dr. Mallika Nadda has been honoured with several prestigious awards for her exemplary contribution towards child development, education, inclusion, and social service. In 2010, she received the Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India. In 2011, she was conferred with the Derozio Award for her contribution in the field of education and human development. She was also honoured with the Rotary Shreyas Award in 2015–16 for her outstanding social service and commitment towards inclusive development. Over the years, she has received recognition from several national and international organisations for her dedicated work in the field of disability inclusion and community service. In 2021, Dr. Mallika Nadda took charge as the President of Special Olympics Bharat. Under her leadership, the organisation witnessed remarkable expansion in outreach, athlete participation, health initiatives, and unified inclusion programmes across the country. Post-COVID, on the occasion of World Health Day in April 2022, she spearheaded the Divyang Health Fest at 133 locations across India. More than 100,000 persons with intellectual disabilities were digitally registered and provided health services through this nationwide initiative. The extraordinary effort earned Special Olympics Bharat recognition in the Guinness World Records, Asia Book of Records, and the World Talent Organization. Dr. Mallika Nadda currently serves as the Chairperson of the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Advisory Council, where she plays a key role in strengthening inclusion, athlete leadership, and regional collaboration across Asia Pacific nations. In April 2026, she was appointed as a Member of the Special Olympics International Advisory Board, where she now serves as a Board Member, contributing towards the global vision and strategic direction of the Special Olympics movement worldwide.