Lucknow, April 15 -- For Arpit Chaurasiya, a visual arts student at Dr Shakuntala Mishra National Rehabilitation University (DSMNRU) here, art is both a medium of expression and a beacon of hope.

Born with a hearing challenge, Chaurasiya, 26, says he faced discrimination and was even mocked on several occasions. But when people question his abilities, his artworks narrate his inner joys and turmoil. "Art gave me a new identity. It has become synonymous with my hard work, emotions and passion. It imbibed in me freedom and confidence. Art not only made me seen and heard but also understood. This is the biggest achievement for me. Colours, lines and shapes became my language, which helps me express my feelings, thoughts and imagination," Ch...