Guwahati, Sept. 15: Sangramjyoti Choudhury?s world is silent but colourful, Paben Taro?s is physically demanding but worth every effort he makes.

Deaf and dumb Guwahati-based artist Sangramjyoti, 33, translates his silence into vivid expressions on canvas, while Itanagar lad Paben fights his physical handicaps to prove his prowess in sporting events. Paben, who has won medals in the Abilympics, and Sangramjyoti are also among a group of ?specially able? people who have been chosen to play themselves in a pioneering television series commissioned by the ministry of social justice and empowerment.

The series will be the first of its kind on Indian television and feature talented people with disabilities from three states of the region ? Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura ? as well as Tamil Nadu and Bihar.

Titled Mass Awareness for Physically Challenged People and to be aired by Doordarshan, the 22 episodes of 23 minutes each will highlight the achievements of these people and make society more aware of disabilities, rehabilitation and empowerment.

?This is a laudable step. Real-life success stories will be enacted by real people whom society ignores,? Sangramjyoti said through sign language. The Composite Regional Centre, Guwahati, is the nodal agency for the implementation of the project in the three states of the region. ?We have completed the selection process and the scripts are ready,? said P.S. Srinivas, director of the centre.

?The motive behind communicating the stories of physically challenged persons through audio-visual media is to show that they too can succeed and inspire others,? he added.

Apart from a dramatic representation of a real-life story, each episode will contain a panel discussion on a particular form of disability. Some episodes will have a live audience in the studio. People watching the programme in their homes can communicate their views and queries through phone.

Shooting will commence after the technical aspects are cleared by the Doordarshan headquarters in New Delhi.

?Hopefully, the programme will help in early intervention and empower people with disabilities even in the far-flung areas,? Srinivas said.

Tamil Nadu has had the highest rate of success in empowering people with disabilities.