News

Volume 2 Issue 19 - October 01, 2004

NCPEDP launches 6th annual Shell-Helen Keller Awards

DNIS News Network - National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People has invited applications from individuals, corporates and organisations for its NCPEDP-Shell Helen Keller Awards 2004.

These Awards were instituted by NCPEDP with the support of Shell India in 1999 to honour those people and organisations that have contributed to the cause of promoting employment opportunities for disabled people. The nominations for the awards have been requested under five categories.

Nominations for three awards under category A, and two awards under category B, account for disabled people within the disability sector and outside disability sector respectively, who have been active ambassadors of the cause of employment for disabled people and are positive role models for others.

Two awards each in category C and D account for non-disabled people, within the disability sector and outside the disability sector respectively, who have contributed substantially to the promotion of employment opportunities for disabled people over an extended period of time.

Nominations for three awards under category E are invited from companies/organisations/institutions that, through their policies and practices, have demonstrated their belief in equal rights and gainful employment for persons with disabilities.

A total of 12 awards, nine for individuals and three for organisations, will be selected. Winners will receive a medal (for individuals) or a trophy (for organisations), along with a citation.

Last year's award winners included Nara Nageswarrao, an activist in Andhra Pradesh. He forced the state government to fill 2500 vacancies reserved for disabled people. Another winner, Vivek Kumar Agarwal, the commissioner of Chattisgarh and a disabled person himself, extended the 3 per cent quota in jobs for disabled people. Ram Dayal Sharma, a carpenter in Delhi used his skills to better the lives of several children suffering from cerebral palsy. Among the companies, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited bagged the award for being a role model for public sectors by providing employment to disabled people.

These individuals and organisations have met the most intrinsic needs of disabled people by providing them with a means of living. "The awards are a salute to those individuals and organisations that have done their bit to promote employment of the disabled," says Javed Abidi, Executive Director, NCPEDP.

This year's award ceremony will take place in Delhi on December 2, the eve of World Disability Day. The closing date for nominations is October 15, 2004.