News

Volume 3 Issue 6 - March 15, 2005

CavinKare Awards for disabled people

DNIS News Network - Four individuals honoured for their contribution to society.

On 26 February, 2005, four individuals -- Rajinder Johar, Anjlee Agarwal, Sanjeev Sachdeva and G. Rajani -- were presented the CavinKare Ability Awards in a ceremony in Chennai. The honour recognised their outstanding contribution to society.

Rajinder Johar, receiver of the CavinKare Ability Award for Eminence, became quadriplegic and bedridden after an encounter with armed miscreants several years ago. Today, still bedridden, Johar heads ‘Family of Disabled’ (FOD), a non-profit organisation based in Delhi that helps disabled people get gainfully self-employed. His daughter, Preeti Johar, who received the award on his behalf, says “He is a tough man… FOD does so much, and all this from a man who is in bed all the time.”

Two CavinKare Awards for Mastery were given to the Anjlee Agarwal-Sanjeev Sachdeva duo, and to G. Rajani. Both Agarwal and Sachdeva have muscular dystrophy, a debilitating condition in which the muscles deteriorate progressively. They have set up ‘Samarthya’, a centre for the promotion of a barrier-free environment. One of their successful projects is the barrier-free Dilli Haat.

G. Rajani lost her sight in her childhood due to an allergic reaction to a drug. However, this did not stop her from using her phenomenal memory to become the first visually impaired Chartered Accountant in the country. She currently works in the Human Resource department of Taj West End, Bangalore, plays the veena and teaches and inspires other visually disabled people in following their dreams.

Agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan and music director A.R. Rahman presented the awards at a function held at the Chennai Trade Centre.