Bollywood singer Sukhbir performs for children at Dubai’s Autism Center

Bollywood singer Sukhbir performs for children at Dubai’s Autism Center - Videos by Nilanjana Gupta/Khaleej Times

It was a night for all Sukbir Singh lovers... The Bollywood singer who is known for his earthy and rustic voice was in town on Thursday night to perform some heart thumping numbers at Grand Hyatt hotel. More than 300 people came together for the charity gala dinner to fund a new school for children with special needs in Dubai.

Sukhbir Singh, who performed Dil Laga for the Bollywood blockbuster Dhoom 2, said he didn’t have in-depth knowledge of autism till his friend asked him to get involved.

“I am very happy to be associated with Dubai Autism Center. I thought this event would be a great opportunity to create awareness about autism,” he said. “I want to be more closely linked with them and help them as much as possible.”

Bollywood singer Sukhbir speaks to Khaleej Times about his support for Dubai’s Autism Center

The event was organised by Dubai businessman and friend of Singh, Mahender Bhojwani, who has a son attending the autism centre.

“Through my son I came to know the term autism. Initially it was very difficult to accept it. Then we started brainstorming on ways to help him. My son has been going to the Dubai Autism Center and that has helped him tremendously,” said Mr Bhojwani.

“With this event, I am trying to give back to the Dubai Autism Center which has done so much for my son.”

His son Rahul, 17, who is borderline on the autism spectrum, has been attending Dubai Autism Center for the last 5 years. 

Rahul, 17, who attends Dubai Autism Center describes his daily ordeal

“When I was little, I was told that over a million children around the world have the same problem as mine. But we also need to make our mark in life. I usually find it difficult to handle situations where I do not feel comfortable. Hopefully soon I will learn to adjust.”

Growing up, Rahul said, he wants to become a textilist or a movie director.

Sara Ahmed Baker Head of Community Service at Dubai Autism Center, said their main aim was to spread awareness.

“Each child is very unique – you cannot have one education programme for everyone. It has to be need-based. We have more than 370 children on the waiting list and we are unable to accommodate them all in our facility. The present center is in a villa and it is not so well equipped. The new centre will be a 4-floor building well qualified to be accredited internationally,” she said.

Currently the autism centre accommodates 53 children which is its maximum capacity. The new facility, which is expected to be ready by the first quarter of 2016, will help more than 200 children.

Sara Ahmed Baker Head of Community Service at Dubai Autism Center speaks to Khaleej Times about the new facility for autistic children

Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, donated his $6 million Dubai World Cup prize money in March to the centre which is being used in building the school. They now are trying to raise funds to meet the running costs of the new facility.

Founded in 2001, Dubai Autism Center is the largest non-profit organization in the United Arab Emirates serving children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.