Honor to those who dare: CavinKare Ability Awards 2012

Admittedly, what the disabled cannot do is obvious. What is amazing is what they can do. If you are looking for examples of unparalleled resolve to struggle for personal achievement, both in society and in personal life, just look at the winners of the 10th CavinKare Ability Awards. The (annual program), jointly organized by the (Ability Foundation) and (CavinKare Pvt. Ltd.), honors achievers with disabilities who have broken conventional barriers to realize their potential.

Created in 2003, the purpose of the CavinKare Ability Awards is to build awareness about the capabilities of the disabled. The awards are given in two categories: CavinKare Ability Award for Eminence and CavinKare Ability Mastery Awards. The Eminence Award is given to a disabled person who has shown a commitment to others that goes beyond personal achievement. The Mastery Awards are given to three people who have achieved excellence in any specific field.

For the 2012 Award ceremony on February 18 in Chennai, the four winners were selected from 131 nominees from 19 different states. Mohammed Iqbal from Ladakh received the CavinKare Eminence Award for his struggle to empower the disabled. In his fight for the rights of others, he has set up the People’s Action Group for Inclusion and Rights (PAGIR). BhavanaBotta, an amazing young woman from Chennai, received the CavinKare Ability Mastery Award. Asteroid cerebral palsy hasn’t stopped her from completing B. Com in corporate secretarial skills. She currently runs Saahaagika, a boutique selling Ahimsa and Organic silk products. CavinKare Ability Mastery Awards were also given to AzeemBolar, a hotel consultant from Bangalore struggling against deteriorating vision, and RiiteshSinha from Karnal, Haryana, who has set up and runs a Datamix computer Center; the boy who was refused admission to most schools has made a dazzling career in computer science.

The disabled want to be taxpayers, too. They also want to contribute to the country’s economy. Striving to build an inclusive society, with equal opportunities for all, is not an act of pity. People need people. Food for thought…

Ability is Possibility: Disability awareness program with the support of Ability Foundation

Persons with disabilities have talents, just like everyone else. However, they need motivation to bring out their hidden talents. Motivation comes from possibility. Having the right opportunity at the right time is the core idea underlying the disability awareness program Michelin India organized with the support of the Ability Foundation, a national cross-disability organization based in Chennai. (Ability foundation link)

The one-day program was held on February 4, 2012 at Government middle school in Soolaimani village and drew 150 people with different disabilities. Participants and their families were given guidance and counseling for enhancing the self-esteem and vocational skills of the disabled.

Mr. Joseph Ravi, District Disability Rehabilitation Officer, and Dr. Krishna Chandra, Deputy Director of Employment, Vocational Rehabilitation for Handicapped, attended the camp and disseminated information on the state and central government schemes available to the disabled. Participants received advice on how to access benefits provided in different government schemes and on employment opportunities, by the Ability Foundation staff team.

“We chose the Ability Foundation as partner for the program because of our shared belief that empowerment is a direct result of awareness of your talents, your rights and your knowledge of opportunities available to you.” Inspired by Jayashree Raveendran, Founder and Managing Trustee of the Ability Foundation, Michelin India is committed to underscoring the positive side of employing people with a disability. “It is not pity. It is not charity. It is not CSR,” as Jayasree says. It makes business sense. On the one hand, there are qualified persons who need opportunities and on the other, there are employers who can reap the benefits of hiring innovative, determined and dedicated persons. The opportunity is there for the taking!