Indian-origin woman from Dubai to feature in Times Square video on Down Syndrome

Amanda’s photo was selected from more than 2,600 entries for the annual event, the New York City Buddy Walk by the National Down Syndrome Society.

By: Express Web Desk
August 25, 2025 07:03 PM IST

3 min read

Amanda DSilva works as freelance model and has appeared in shoots that celebrate diversity and inclusion. (Photo: Instagram)

Amanda DSilva, a 22-year-old woman from Dubai, will be one of the nearly 500 faces shown on New York’s iconic Times Square as part of a Down Syndrome awareness video.

New York City Buddy Walk

The hour-long video by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) will be on display at Times Square on September 6. The Indian-origin model will join children, teens, and adults with Down syndrome from all 50 US states and 11 countries as part of NDSS’s annual presentation.

Amanda’s photo was selected from more than 2,600 entries for the annual event, the New York City Buddy Walk.

Who is Amanda DSilva

Born to parents hailing from Mangaluru and Mumbai, Amanda now works as a hostess at a French restaurant in Sofitel Downtown Hotel. She is also a freelance model and has appeared in shoots that celebrate diversity and inclusion.

Will inspire others: family

Her journey has been marked by resilience, moving from a childhood of health struggles and shyness to becoming a confident young woman breaking barriers in modelling. Her appearance in the NDSS video is seen as both a personal milestone and a message of empowerment for the Down syndrome community.

Amanda’s family hopes her story will inspire others and reinforce the message that Down syndrome is not a limitation, but a part of diversity that deserves recognition, inclusion, and support.

“Having her photo displayed at Times Square is a rare and special moment, and I hope her story encourages other families to believe that a diagnosis is not the end of the world. With acceptance and support, these individuals can shine,” her mother, Anita DSilva, said

“Amanda has always been determined. She works hard at her job, greets guests with confidence, and even learns new French words like bonjour (hello), merci (thank you), s’il vous plaît (please), au revoir (goodbye) every day to make visitors feel welcome. It’s her grit and joy that inspire us,” the proud mother told Khaleej Times.

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The youngest of two daughters, Amanda, will be joined by her sister, who lives in Canada, and her parents in New York on September 6 to celebrate her achievement.

A student of Gems School in Dubai, Amanda found her passion for modelling at a young age.

“I love to pose. I love the camera,” she said in a 2002 interview.

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