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| Location: | Sir Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Concert Hall,
No. 7, Harrington Road,
Chetpet, Chennai 600 001. |
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| Jury: | Mr. A R Rahman, Oscar award winning Music Composer,
Mr. N Murali, Director – The Hindu
Ms. Leela Samson, Director, Kalashetra Foundation, Ms..
Mohini Giri, Chairperson, Guild of Service,
Mr. Radha Mohan, Film Director, and
Mr. Yatish Rajawat, Group Editor, Dainik Bhaskar Group |
| Guest of Honor: | Shri.Mukul Wasnik - Hon. Union Minister for Social
Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India |
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| The Recipients of Year 2012 |
THE CAVINKARE ABILITY AWARD FOR EMINENCE
Mohammad Iqbal, Leh-Ladakh : |
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In the stark terrain of Ladakh is an organization that has been doing remarkable work in awareness and capacity building for persons with disability. Through the People’s Action Group for Inclusion and Rights (PAGIR), Mohammad Iqbal has been working relentlessly for years to ensure economic and social empowerment of persons with disabilities in the Leh district. He has also tied up with various travel ventures in order to make the scenic town barrier-free, and works actively in preserving the environment. His severe orthopedic disability is belied by his passion to promote rights and participation of disabled persons, making him a force to reckon with.
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THE CAVINKARE ABILITY MASTERY AWARDS
Bhavana Botta, Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
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In an extraordinary story of inclusion, Bhavana Botta, a young girl with athetoid cerebral palsy (due to which she can neither speak, nor walk) has completed her schooling and B.Com in Corporate Secretaryship in mainstream educational institutions. Today, she runs her own entrepreneurial venture known as ‘Saahaagika’, a boutique for Ahimsa and Organic silk products. From managing the accounts to banking and paying taxes, Bhavana insists on doing everything on her own. In order to communicate, she uses a unique eye-pointing chart and is the first person in Tamil Nadu, and possibly India, to have written exams with this form of communication. For her, it is the attitude that determines inclusion, not a disability.
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| Azeem Bolar, Bangalore, Karnataka |
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It takes a lot of optimism and strength of the mind to come to terms with a disability. But for Azeem Bolar, it has taken twice the amount of strength to reach where he is today. Already battling with deteriorating vision as a result of juvenile arthritis, Azeem had to change his career from a successful hotelier to a counselor, when a stroke rendered him completely blind and paralyzed in the left side of his body. Undeterred, Azeem has fought every battle with a remarkably optimistic attitude, teaching himself how to walk, talk and write, all over again. Today, he is a much sought-after counselor in a software firm in Bangalore. He also provides free counseling services at the very centre he trained from, instilling optimism in many more people every day.
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| Riitesh Sinha, Karnal, Haryana |
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From the boy who was refused admission in most schools in his town, to a person who has shaped many careers in the field of computer science, Riitesh Sinha has proven that mental strength can win over any physical disability. Born with cerebral palsy in a town that was largely ignorant of his condition, Riitesh began a computer training centre in order to teach the basics of computers to many. Initially, doubts arose about his ability to teach, but his passion for the subject and dedication to teach, won him many students who still regard him as an excellent teacher. He also empowered himself by building a motorized vehicle that would help in his mobility. Today, Riitesh works in a government job but is still sought after by his colleagues to resolve all technology-related issues at work. In his spare time, he pursues philately, numerology and mudras passionately.
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Courtesy : www.cavinkare.com |
