On September 6, 2025, 22-year-old Amanda DSilva, a young woman of Indian origin born and raised in Dubai, will be featured on the iconic Times Square screens in New York City. Selected from over 2,600 entries worldwide, Amanda’s photograph will be part of a powerful visual campaign by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), highlighting inclusion and representation on one of the world’s most visible stages.
Spotlight on Amanda at Times Square
Amanda DSilva, who has Down syndrome, is among more than 500 individuals whose photographs will be broadcast in the NDSS Times Square Video Presentation, a landmark event that celebrates the lives, stories, and presence of people with Down syndrome from around the world.This year’s presentation will take place on Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Eastern Time, and will be shown on two large Jumbotron screens located above the Dos Caminos restaurant in Father Duffy Square, at the heart of Times Square in New York. The event will be livestreamed globally via the NDSS Facebook page, allowing friends, families, and supporters around the world to witness the celebration in real time. For viewers in the UAE, the presentation will be available from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM UAE time.Amanda’s image was selected from a pool of more than 2,600 photo submissions received from families across the globe. The final presentation includes over 500 chosen photographs representing individuals from all 50 U.S. states and 11 countries, making the event a powerful visual symbol of global inclusion.The event is made possible through support from ClearChannel Outdoor, which provides the screen space for this awareness drive.
From Dubai classroom to global spotlight
Amanda was born and raised in Dubai to a family originally from Mangaluru and Mumbai. She is the youngest of two daughters. Her 26-year-old elder sister, who currently lives in Canada, will be flying to New York to join the family for this special occasion.Amanda studied in a mainstream school under the GEMS Education group, reflecting her upbringing in an inclusive educational environment. After graduation, she pursued a professional path that reflects both independence and passion: Amanda now works full-time as a hostess at a French restaurant inside the Sofitel Downtown Hotel in Dubai. Alongside her hospitality career, she has also carved a niche for herself as a freelance model, participating in photoshoots that celebrate diversity and inclusion.
The power and purpose behind the NDSS campaign
The Times Square video presentation is more than just a celebration, it also serves as the opening ceremony of the New York City Buddy Walk, a flagship initiative by NDSS. Established in 1995, the Buddy Walk is the world’s leading Down syndrome awareness and fundraising program, aiming to promote acceptance, advocacy, and inclusion. Today, over 150 Buddy Walk events are held annually across the United States and in selected international locations.This year’s Times Square event continues a tradition started by NDSS to place individuals with Down syndrome front and center on one of the globe’s most recognisable platforms, not just to raise awareness, but to create real momentum for societal inclusion. According to an NDSS statement, “Amanda’s picture is contagious, one smile and your heart feels lighter,” capturing the emotional resonance the campaign aims to deliver.Founded in 1979, the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) is the leading human rights organisation for individuals with Down syndrome in the U.S. Through nationwide programs, advocacy work, and public education, NDSS works across areas such as education, employment, health, and wellness, creating a future where inclusion is not the exception but the norm.