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A W A R D S

Life is either a daring

adventure or nothin

Helen Keller

I

Life is either a daring

adventure or nothing

H e l e n K e l l e r

EDITORIAL

tttt We are celebrating the first World Disability Day of the new millennium! To us at NCPEDP, this is not just another special day, but a moment in time for deep and concentrated introsp,ction. One more year gone by, 365 days of the calendar turned over, but where are we today as against where we were this day last year?

The year literally started with a bang, with Prof Stephen Hawking arriving in New Delhi. His one 'simple' desire to see a few historical monuments became front-page news! Reason? None of the four sites he desired to visit were accessible. To make matters worse, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) turned down our request, when NCPEDP approached them with the suggestion that temporary wooden ramps may be put up. Intense advocacy followed. Finally, the authorities-that-be gave in and the wooden ramps were installed just in time for Prof Hawking to be able to visit Jantar Mantar and Qutab Minar with dignity and comfort.

Prof Hawking's visit created a certain momentum on the issue of access and we certainly did not want it to die out. We promptly launched an awareness campaign. The result a landmark decision. ASI announced that they would make its monuments, including Taj Mahal and Khajuraho, accessible to disabled persons.

In collaboration with Disabled Peoples' International, we conducted 'Disability Audits' at various public places in New Delhi. Some of them have already been made acce$sible; however, we still have a long way to go! It requires concerted effort from the entire disability sector and all others concerned to challenge the existing systems and infrastructures. This World Disability Day, all our 35 'National Disability Network' Partners aim to conduct at least 5 'Disability Audits' each in every State cap ital and Union Territory. Like the colours of the rainbow, our Partners help us integrate not just the various disabilities, but the different regional and ethnic concerns as well.

The rainbow embodies a positive future. One prays that our Network grows from strength to strength; achieves all its targets in a systematic manner; and thus, maybe in a few years or however long ittakes, changes the face of disability in this country. Amen.

JAVED ABIDI Executive Director NCPEDP

E D I T O R I A L

W e a r e c e l e b r a t i n g t h e f i r s t W o r l d D i s a b i l i t y D a y o f t h e n e w m i l l e n n i u m ! T o u s a t N C P E D P , t h i s is n o t j u s t a n o t h e r s p e c i a l d a y , b u t a m o m e n t i n t i m e f o r d e e p a n d c o n c e n t r a t e d i n t r o s p e c t i o n . O n e m o r e y e a r g o n e by, 3 6 5 d a y s o f t h e c a l e n d a r t u r n e d o v e r , b u t w h e r e a r e w e t o d a y a s a g a i n s t w h e r e w e w e r e t h i s d a y l a s t y e a r ?

T h e y e a r l i t e r a l l y s t a r t e d w i t h a b a n g , w i t h P r o f S t e p h e n H a w k i n g a r r i v i n g i n N e w D e l h i . H i s o n e ' s i m p l e ' d e s i r e t o s e e a f e w h i s t o r i c a l m o n u m e n t s b e c a m e f r o n t - p a g e n e w s ! R e a s o n ? N o n e o f t h e f o u r s i t e s h e d e s i r e d t o v i s i t w e r e a c c e s s i b l e . T o m a k e m a t t e r s w o r s e , t h e A r c h a e o l o g i c a l S u r v e y o f I n d i a ( A S I ) t u r n e d d o w n o u r r e q u e s t , w h e n N C P E D P a p p r o a c h e d t h e m w i t h t h e s u g g e s t i o n t h a t t e m p o r a r y w o o d e n r a m p s m a y b e p u t u p . I n t e n s e a d v o c a c y f o l l o w e d . F i n a l l y , t h e a u t h o r i t i e s - t h a t - b e g a v e in a n d t h e w o o d e n r a m p s w e r e i n s t a l l e d j u s t i n t i m e f o r P r o f H a w k i n g t o b e a b l e t o v i s i t J a n t a r M a n t a r a n d Q u t a b M i n a r w i t h d i g n i t y a n d c o m f o r t .

P r o f H a w k i n g ' s v i s i t c r e a t e d a c e r t a i n m o m e n t u m o n t h e i s s u e o f a c c e s s a n d w e c e r t a i n l y d i d n o t w a n t i t t o d i e o u t . W e p r o m p t l y l a u n c h e d a n a w a r e n e s s c a m p a i g n . T h e r e s u l t : a l a n d m a r k d e c i s i o n . A S I a n n o u n c e d t h a t t h e y w o u l d m a k e i t s m o n u m e n t s , i n c l u d i n g T a j M a h a l a n d K h a j u r a h o , a c c e s s i b l e t o d i s a b l e d p e r s o n s .

In c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h D i s a b l e d P e o p l e s ' I n t e r n a t i o n a l , w e c o n d u c t e d ' D i s a b i l i t y A u d i t s ' a t v a r i o u s p u b l i c p l a c e s i n N e w D e l h i . S o m e o f t h e m h a v e a l r e a d y b e e n m a d e a c c e s s i b l e ; h o w e v e r , w e s t i l l h a v e a l o n g w a y t o g o ! I t r e q u i r e s c o n c e r t e d e f f o r t f r o m t h e e n t i r e d i s a b i l i t y s e c t o r a n d a l l o t h e r s c o n c e r n e d t o c h a l l e n g e t h e e x i s t i n g s y s t e m s a n d i n f r a s t r u c t u r e s . T h i s W o r l d D i s a b i l i t y D a y , a l l o u r 3 5 ' N a t i o n a l D i s a b i l i t y N e t w o r k ' P a r t n e r s a i m t o c o n d u c t a t l e a s t 5 ' D i s a b i l i t y A u d i t s ' e a c h i n e v e r y S t a t e c a p i t a l a n d U n i o n T e r r i t o r y . L i k e t h e c o l o u r s o f t h e r a i n b o w , o u r P a r t n e r s h e l p u s i n t e g r a t e n o t j u s t t h e v a r i o u s d i s a b i l i t i e s , b u t t h e d i f f e r e n t r e g i o n a l a n d e t h n i c c o n c e r n s a s w e l l .

T h e r a i n b o w e m b o d i e s a p o s i t i v e f u t u r e . O n e p r a y s t h a t o u r N e t w o r k g r o w s f r o m s t r e n g t h t o s t r e n g t h ; a c h i e v e s a l l i t s t a r g e t s in a s y s t e m a t i c m a n n e r ; a n d t h u s , m a y b e i n a f e w y e a r s o r h o w e v e r l o n g i t t a k e s , c h a n g e s t h e f a c e o f d i s a b i l i t y i n t h i s c o u n t r y . A m e n .

J A V E D A B I D I E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r N C P E D P

Country Chairman Shell Group of Companies in India

This is the third year of our association with NCPEDP and it is an association that every employee in Shell India looks upon with pride and satisfaction. For, in supporting meritorious students with disabilities in their pursuit of higher education, and in honouring those individuals, organisations and associations that have gone that extra step to integrate disabled people into the national mainstream, we give tangible testament to the core values of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group.

Shell has long recognised that the creation of an inclusive and non-discriminatory work environment that attracts individuals from diverse backgrounds, capabilities and endowments, is the surest way of overcoming the challenges presented by a competitive business environment. We have also long acknowledged that our "licence to operate" depends on proactively contributing to the development of society. Accordingly, our policy has been, and will continue to be, to find enhanced employment opportunities for the disabled - individuals that are physically disadvantaged, but whose capabilities are second to none.

Through this message, I extend on behalf of the employees of Shell India our very best wishes and support to NCPEDP. It is our hope that the movement started by them will gather further momentum and, in time, it will be the pivot around which the disabled coi:nmunity will find enhanced avenues of growth and opportunity.

~ Shell .. - .;.. _ ..

V I K R A M S I N G H M E H T A C o u n t r y C h a i r m a n S h e l l G r o u p o f C o m p a n i e s i n I n d i a

T h i s is t h e t h i r d y e a r o f o u r a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h N C P E D P a n d i t i s a n a s s o c i a t i o n t h a t e v e r y e m p l o y e e i n S h e l l I n d i a l o o k s u p o n w i t h p r i d e a n d s a t i s f a c t i o n . For, i n s u p p o r t i n g m e r i t o r i o u s s t u d e n t s w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s i n t h e i r p u r s u i t o f h i g h e r e d u c a t i o n , a n d i n h o n o u r i n g t h o s e i n d i v i d u a l s , o r g a n i s a t i o n s a n d a s s o c i a t i o n s t h a t h a v e g o n e t h a t e x t r a s t e p t o i n t e g r a t e d i s a b l e d p e o p l e i n t o t h e n a t i o n a l m a i n s t r e a m , w e g i v e t a n g i b l e t e s t a m e n t t o t h e c o r e v a l u e s o f t h e R o y a l D u t c h / S h e l l G r o u p .

S h e l l h a s l o n g r e c o g n i s e d t h a t t h e c r e a t i o n o f a n i n c l u s i v e a n d n o n - d i s c r i m i n a t o r y w o r k e n v i r o n m e n t t h a t a t t r a c t s i n d i v i d u a l s f r o m d i v e r s e b a c k g r o u n d s , c a p a b i l i t i e s a n d e n d o w m e n t s , i s t h e s u r e s t w a y o f o v e r c o m i n g t h e c h a l l e n g e s p r e s e n t e d b y a c o m p e t i t i v e b u s i n e s s e n v i r o n m e n t . W e h a v e a l s o l o n g a c k n o w l e d g e d t h a t o u r " l i c e n c e t o o p e r a t e " d e p e n d s o n p r o a c t i v e l y c o n t r i b u t i n g t o t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f s o c i e t y . A c c o r d i n g l y , o u r p o l i c y h a s b e e n , a n d w i l l c o n t i n u e t o b e , t o f i n d e n h a n c e d e m p l o y m e n t o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r t h e d i s a b l e d - i n d i v i d u a l s t h a t a r e p h y s i c a l l y d i s a d v a n t a g e d , b u t w h o s e c a p a b i l i t i e s a r e s e c o n d t o n o n e .

T h r o u g h t h i s m e s s a g e , I e x t e n d o n b e h a l f o f t h e e m p l o y e e s o f S h e l l I n d i a o u r v e r y b e s t w i s h e s a n d s u p p o r t t o N C P E D P . I t i s o u r h o p e t h a t t h e m o v e m e n t s t a r t e d b y t h e m w i l l g a t h e r f u r t h e r m o m e n t u m a n d , i n t i m e , i t w i l l b e t h e p i v o t a r o u n d w h i c h t h e d i s a b l e d c o m m u n i t y w i l l f i n d e n h a n c e d a v e n u e s o f g r o w t h a n d o p p o r t u n i t y .

Shell

- IC·-

SONIA GANDHI Chairperson NCPEDP

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.,. NCPEDP was set up with the objective of creating an environment that is empathetic towards the rights and the needs of persons with disabilities and for removing impedi­ments to their full and equal participation in nation-building.

NCPEDP has completed five years in July 2001. It has endeavoured to encourage other relevant sectors to take their share of responsibility in providing equal opportunities for disabled people. The creation of the National Disability Network is another significant achievement of NCPEDP. The campaign led by NCPEDP last year to get disability included in Census 2001 would not have been successful without the support of the Partners in the Netwo~k.

The NCPEDP-Shell Helen Keller Awards were instituted in 1999 to recognise individuals and organisations for their contributions in promoting employment opportunities for disabled people. These Awards hav~ gained profT!inence and credibility over the last three years. The number of nominations has grown substantially this year, indicating the increased efforts of people and organisations in creating equal opportunities for the disabled.

NATIONAL CENT RE FOR PROMOTION OF EMPLOYMENT FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

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S O N I A G A N D H I C h a i r p e r s o n N C P E D P

N C P E D P w a s s e t u p w i t h t h e o b j e c t i v e o f c r e a t i n g a n e n v i r o n m e n t t h a t is e m p a t h e t i c t o w a r d s t h e r i g h t s a n d t h e n e e d s o f p e r s o n s w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s a n d f o r r e m o v i n g i m p e d i ­m e n t s t o t h e i r f u l l a n d e q u a l p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n n a t i o n - b u i l d i n g .

N C P E D P h a s c o m p l e t e d f i v e y e a r s i n J u l y 2 0 0 1 . I t h a s e n d e a v o u r e d t o e n c o u r a g e o t h e r r e l e v a n t s e c t o r s t o t a k e t h e i r s h a r e o f r e s p o n s i b i l i t y i n p r o v i d i n g e q u a l o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r d i s a b l e d p e o p l e . T h e c r e a t i o n o f t h e N a t i o n a l D i s a b i l i t y N e t w o r k i s a n o t h e r s i g n i f i c a n t a c h i e v e m e n t o f N C P E D P . T h e c a m p a i g n l e d by N C P E D P l a s t y e a r t o g e t d i s a b i l i t y i n c l u d e d in C e n s u s 2 0 0 1 w o u l d n o t h a v e b e e n s u c c e s s f u l w i t h o u t t h e s u p p o r t o f t h e P a r t n e r s i n t h e N e t w o r k .

T h e N C P E D P - S h e l l H e l e n K e l l e r A w a r d s w e r e i n s t i t u t e d i n 1 9 9 9 t o r e c o g n i s e i n d i v i d u a l s a n d o r g a n i s a t i o n s f o r t h e i r c o n t r i b u t i o n s i n p r o m o t i n g e m p l o y m e n t o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r d i s a b l e d p e o p l e . T h e s e A w a r d s h a v e g a i n e d p r o m i n e n c e a n d c r e d i b i l i t y o v e r t h e l a s t t h r e e y e a r s . T h e n u m b e r o f n o m i n a t i o n s h a s g r o w n s u b s t a n t i a l l y t h i s y e a r , i n d i c a t i n g t h e i n c r e a s e d e f f o r t s o f p e o p l e a n d o r g a n i s a t i o n s i n c r e a t i n g e q u a l o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r t h e d i s a b l e d .

NATIONAL CENTRE FOR PROMOTION OF EMPLOYMENT FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

[I] [IJ

SELECTION COMMITTEE Subodh Bhargava This veteran spokesman for the Indian industry is also the Founder-Trustee of NCPEDP. Better known as the ex-Group Chairman and Chief Executive of the Eicher Group of Companies and past President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Subodh Bhargava has been a leading light fo r all of us. 1

Shunu Sen A marketing guru, equal to none, Shunu Sen retired from the Board of Hindustan Lever in 1996. Today, he is the CEO of a marketing consultancy business, Quadra Advisory, in partnership with the WPP Group pie. Sensitive to the cause of disabled persons, Shunu has been a wheelchair user since 1991.

S. Ravi He is currently Head-Business Development & Public Affairs, Shell India Private Limited. S. Ravi has considerable experience in the oil industry. He was in the Core Group of the Sundararajan Committee. He shares an earnest inte~ rest a.nd deep concern for the empowerment and well-being of disabled people .

Manisha Gupta What happens when a freelance journalist takes up the cause of social entrepreneurship? Well, she has different deadlines to meet:Manisha Gupta heads the India programme of Ashoka: Innovators for the Public, an active fellowship of social entrepreneurs in 41 countries. Ashoka has provided Fellowships to leading disability activists across the world.

Vandana Bedi She is the Executive Director of the Spastics Society of Northern India, New Delhi. Vandana Bedi has been actively associated with the disability sector for the last 22 years. She is a strong advocate for equal human rights for persons with disability. She was at the forefront of the recent movement to get disability included in Census 2001.

De Garimella Subramaniam He writes on topics ranging from judiciary and human rights to constitutional practices in India. An Assistant Editor at The Hindu, Dr Garimella Subramaniam's visual impairment has not in any way been an impediment in his career. On the contrary, it has added an extra dimension of sensitivity and compassion to his work.

S E L E C T I O N C O M M I T T E E

S u b o d h B h a r g a v a T h i s v e t e r a n s p o k e s m a n f o r t h e I n d i a n i n d u s t r y i s a l s o t h e F o u n d e r - T r u s t e e o f N C P E D P . B e t t e r k n o w n a s t h e e x - G r o u p C h a i r m a n a n d C h i e f E x e c u t i v e o f t h e E i c h e r G r o u p o f C o m p a n i e s a n d p a s t P r e s i d e n t o f t h e C o n f e d e r a t i o n o f I n d i a n I n d u s t r y (CM), S u b o d h B h a r g a v a h a s b e e n a l e a d i n g l i g h t f o r a l l o f u s .

S h u n u S e n A m a r k e t i n g g u r u , e q u a l t o n o n e , S h u n u S e n r e t i r e d f r o m t h e B o a r d o f H i n d u s t a n L e v e r i n 1 9 9 6 . T o d a y , h e i s t h e CEO o f a m a r k e t i n g c o n s u l t a n c y b u s i n e s s , Q u a d r a A d v i s o r y , i n p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h t h e W P P G r o u p p l c . S e n s i t i v e t o t h e c a u s e o f d i s a b l e d p e r s o n s , S h u n u h a s b e e n a w h e e l c h a i r u s e r s i n c e 1 9 9 1 .

S. Ravi H e i s c u r r e n t l y H e a d - B u s i n e s s D e v e l o p m e n t & P u b l i c A f f a i r s , S h e l l I n d i a P r i v a t e L i m i t e d . S . R a v i h a s c o n s i d e r a b l e e x p e r i e n c e i n t h e o i l i n d u s t r y . H e w a s i n t h e C o r e G r o u p o f t h e S u n d a r a r a j a n C o m m i t t e e . H e s h a r e s a n e a r n e s t i n t e r e s t a n d d e e p c o n c e r n f o r t h e e m p o w e r m e n t a n d w e l l - b e i n g o f d i s a b l e d p e o p l e .

M a n i s h a Gupta W h a t h a p p e n s w h e n a f r e e l a n c e j o u r n a l i s t t a k e s u p t h e c a u s e o f s o c i a l e n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p ? W e l l , s h e h a s d i f f e r e n t d e a d l i n e s t o m e e t . M a n i s h a G u p t a h e a d s t h e I n d i a p r o g r a m m e o f A s h o k a : I n n o v a t o r s f o r t h e P u b l i c , a n a c t i v e f e l l o w s h i p o f s o c i a l e n t r e p r e n e u r s i n 4 1 c o u n t r i e s . A s h o k a h a s p r o v i d e d F e l l o w s h i p s t o l e a d i n g d i s a b i l i t y a c t i v i s t s a c r o s s t h e w o r l d .

V a n d a n a B e d i S h e i s t h e E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r o f t h e S p a s t i c s S o c i e t y o f N o r t h e r n I n d i a , N e w D e l h i . V a n d a n a B e d i h a s b e e n a c t i v e l y a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e d i s a b i l i t y s e c t o r f o r t h e l a s t 2 2 y e a r s . S h e i s a s t r o n g a d v o c a t e f o r e q u a l h u m a n r i g h t s f o r p e r s o n s w i t h d i s a b i l i t y . S h e w a s a t t h e f o r e f r o n t o f t h e r e c e n t m o v e m e n t t o g e t d i s a b i l i t y i n c l u d e d i n C e n s u s 2 0 0 1 .

Dr. G a r i m e l l a S u b r a m a n i a m H e w r i t e s o n t o p i c s r a n g i n g f r o m j u d i c i a r y a n d h u m a n r i g h t s t o c o n s t i t u t i o n a l p r a c t i c e s i n I n d i a . A n A s s i s t a n t E d i t o r a t The Hindu, D r G a r i m e l l a S u b r a m a n i a m ' s v i s u a l i m p a i r m e n t h a s n o t i n a n y w a y b e e n a n i m p e d i m e n t i n h i s c a r e e r . O n t h e c o n t r a r y , i t h a s a d d e d a n e x t r a d i m e n s i o n o f s e n s i t i v i t y a n d c o m p a s s i o n t o h i s w o r k .

DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS

At 57, Dr Amit Chatterjee, Chief Technology Officer, Tata Steel, Jamshedpur, has traversed varied paths, from technology to editing, writihg his succ ess

story along the way

DR AMIT CHATTERJEE

I admire the courage with which he has

taken on his 'handicap'. It does not deter him. It makes him stronger in

other areas B. MUTHURAMAN,

MANAGING DIRECTOR,

TATA STEEL

The South American coal authorities turned to Amit for advice on the future of coke-making in Colombia, much the same way as Tata Steel needs to consult him on all technology decisions. For, it is his expert opinion that has contributed in making Tata Steel one of the lowest-cost steel producers in the world today.

Amit has multiple sclerosis for almost two decades, and is now a wheelchair user. But he moves fast, and he moves well, especially in his search for excellence. His work on the development of coal-based direct reduction technology is legendary. As is the other direction he took in Tata Steel, this time with a pen. His inputs have made Tata Search a journal of high calibre. The result in February 2001, Amit was given a special honour by Ratan Tata and made Chairman of the Editorial Board.

The list of awards and recognitions that have been conferred on him is endless. Li~e the rainbow, it stretches beyond the horizon.

Tel 0657-427393 Fax 0657-427393 E-mail achatterjee@lot.tatasteel.com

D I F F E R E N T D I R E C T I O N S

A t 5 7 , D r A m i t C h a t t e r j e e , C h i e f T e c h n o l o g y O f f i c e r , T a t a S t e e l , J a m s h e d p u r , h a s t r a v e r s e d v a r i e d p a t h s , f r o m t e c h n o l o g y t o e d i t i n g , w r i t i n g h i s s u c c e s s

s t o r y a l o n g t h e w a y

D R A M I T C H A T T E R J E E

I a d m i r e t h e c o u r a g e w i t h w h i c h h e h a s

t a k e n o n h i s ' h a n d i c a p ' . It d o e s n o t d e t e r h i m . It m a k e s h i m s t r o n g e r in

o t h e r a r e a s B. M U T H U R A M A N ,

M A N A G I N G D I R E C T O R ,

T A T A S T E E L

T h e S o u t h A m e r i c a n c o a l a u t h o r i t i e s t u r n e d t o A m i t f o r a d v i c e o n t h e f u t u r e o f c o k e - m a k i n g i n C o l o m b i a , m u c h t h e s a m e w a y a s T a t a S t e e l n e e d s t o c o n s u l t h i m o n a l l t e c h n o l o g y d e c i s i o n s . For, i t is h i s e x p e r t o p i n i o n t h a t h a s c o n t r i b u t e d i n m a k i n g T a t a S t e e l o n e o f t h e l o w e s t - c o s t s t e e l p r o d u c e r s i n t h e w o r l d t o d a y .

A m i t h a s m u l t i p l e s c l e r o s i s f o r a l m o s t t w o d e c a d e s , a n d is n o w a w h e e l c h a i r u s e r . B u t h e m o v e s f a s t , a n d h e m o v e s w e l l , e s p e c i a l l y i n h i s s e a r c h f o r e x c e l l e n c e . H i s w o r k o n t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f c o a l - b a s e d d i r e c t r e d u c t i o n t e c h n o l o g y is l e g e n d a r y . A s is t h e o t h e r d i r e c t i o n h e t o o k i n T a t a S t e e l , t h i s t i m e w i t h a p e n . H i s i n p u t s h a v e m a d e Tata Search a j o u r n a l o f h i g h c a l i b r e . T h e r e s u l t : i n F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 1 , A m i t w a s g i v e n a s p e c i a l h o n o u r b y R a t a n T a t a a n d m a d e C h a i r m a n o f t h e E d i t o r i a l B o a r d .

T h e l i s t o f a w a r d s a n d r e c o g n i t i o n s t h a t h a v e b e e n c o n f e r r e d o n h i m i s e n d l e s s . L i k e t h e r a i n b o w , i t s t r e t c h e s b e y o n d t h e h o r i z o n .

Tel 0 6 5 7 - 4 2 7 3 9 3 Fax 0 6 5 7 - 4 2 7 3 9 3 E-mail a c h a t t e r j e e @ l o t . t a t a s t e e l . c o m

GRANTING LIFELINES

Social work, and both, concern and action in the field of education, is what Mumbai-based 67-year-old Dr Armaity S. Desai~ Member,

Review Committee, Civil Services Recruitment Procedure and Examinations, has done most of her life

DR ARMAITY S. DESAI

Dr Desai has been a great supporter of the

disability sector HELEN KELLER AWARDS

SEARCH COMMITTEE

The year was 1998; two pathbreaking schemes were announced by Armaity, the then Chairperson of the University Grants Commission (UGC):

D Higher Education for Persons with Special Needs (HEPSN): for establishing disability units in universities and colleges; providing access to persons with disabilities; and providing special equipment to augment educational services for disabled persons

D Teacher Preparation in Spe\;ial Educatioo (TEPSE): for developing courses in special education

These two landmark schemes are enough to make sure that Armaity's name remains in the annals of disability history forever. Indeed, her career has been long and chequered, devoted almost entirely to social work, development and school level as well as higher education.

Education is considered one of the lifelines that a disabled person requires to go forward in life. To Armaity, then, goes the credit of equipping disabled people with a tool, the opportunity that allows them to look for rainbows, and, it follows, the proverbial pot of gold.

Tel 022-3884740 E-mail armaity@vsnl.net

G R A N T I N G L I F E L I N E S

S o c i a l w o r k , a n d b o t h , c o n c e r n a n d a c t i o n i n t h e f i e l d o f e d u c a t i o n , i s w h a t M u m b a i - b a s e d 6 7 - y e a r - o l d D r A r m a i t y S . D e s a i M e m b e r ,

R e v i e w C o m m i t t e e , C i v i l S e r v i c e s R e c r u i t m e n t P r o c e d u r e a n d E x a m i n a t i o n s , h a s d o n e m o s t o f h e r l i f e

D R A R M A I T Y S . D E S A I

D r D e s a i h a s b e e n a g r e a t s u p p o r t e r o f t h e

d i s a b i l i t y s e c t o r H E L E N K E L L E R A W A R D S

S E A R C H C O M M I T T E E

T h e y e a r w a s 1 9 9 8 ; t w o p a t h b r e a k i n g s c h e m e s w e r e a n n o u n c e d by A r m a i t y , t h e t h e n C h a i r p e r s o n o f t h e U n i v e r s i t y G r a n t s C o m m i s s i o n ( U G C ) :

•H i g h e r E d u c a t i o n f o r P e r s o n s w i t h S p e c i a l N e e d s ( H E P S N ) : f o r e s t a b l i s h i n g d i s a b i l i t y u n i t s i n u n i v e r s i t i e s a n d c o l l e g e s ; p r o v i d i n g a c c e s s t o p e r s o n s w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s ; a n d p r o v i d i n g s p e c i a l e q u i p m e n t t o a u g m e n t e d u c a t i o n a l s e r v i c e s f o r d i s a b l e d p e r s o n s

• T e a c h e r P r e p a r a t i o n i n S p e c i a l E d u c a t i o n ( T E P S E ) : f o r d e v e l o p i n g c o u r s e s i n s p e c i a l e d u c a t i o n

T h e s e t w o l a n d m a r k s c h e m e s a r e e n o u g h t o m a k e s u r e t h a t A r m a i t y ' s n a m e r e m a i n s i n t h e a n n a l s o f d i s a b i l i t y h i s t o r y f o r e v e r . I n d e e d , h e r c a r e e r h a s b e e n l o n g a n d c h e q u e r e d , d e v o t e d a l m o s t e n t i r e l y t o s o c i a l w o r k , d e v e l o p m e n t a n d s c h o o l l e v e l a s w e l l a s h i g h e r e d u c a t i o n .

E d u c a t i o n i s c o n s i d e r e d o n e o f t h e l i f e l i n e s t h a t a d i s a b l e d p e r s o n r e q u i r e s t o g o f o r w a r d i n l i f e . T o A r m a i t y , t h e n , g o e s t h e c r e d i t o f e q u i p p i n g d i s a b l e d p e o p l e w i t h a t o o l , t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t h a t a l l o w s t h e m t o l o o k f o r r a i n b o w s , a n d , i t f o l l o w s , t h e p r o v e r b i a l p o t o f g o l d .

Tel 0 2 2 - 3 8 8 4 7 4 0 E-mail a r m a i t y @ v s n l . n e t

RHYTHM OF SUCCESS

He is visually impaired, uses a speech synthesizer, yet 51-year-old K. Ramkrishna, General Manager, Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI),

Mumbai, has orchestrated his life harmoniously

K. RAMKRISHNA

His example is worth emulating by other

educated blind persons. For them, he is a source of

inspiration PRAVIN C. DANDIA,

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NAB

Music and management appear to be the two guiding forces in K. Ramkrishna's life. As a young boy, K. Ramkrishna developed a taste for Namasankirtan and he continues to be a follower of this divine form of bhakti. He conducts this kirtan in Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi and four Sou.th Indian languages.

The strings of K. Ramkrishna's existence are many, all resonating to varied tunes. He is the firstvisually impaired person in India to have completed his MBA, specialising in Finance. Today, his job profile involv~s the comm~rcial appraisal of industrial projects.

He is the Honorary Secretary of the National Association for the Blind-India (NAB), and a visiting faculty member of S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research. He has been recently conferred the All India Confederation of the Blind Millennium Award.

Carnatic devotional music, abhangs, and the gentle strains of the sitar combine to bring the sound of music into K. Ramkrishna's life, and to the 1ives of those around him.

Tel 022-2161761 Fax 022-2155763 E-mail

k.ramkrishna@idbi.co.in

R H Y T H M OF S U C C E S S

H e i s v i s u a l l y i m p a i r e d , u s e s a s p e e c h s y n t h e s i z e r , y e t 5 1 - y e a r - o l d K. R a m k r i s h n a , G e n e r a l M a n a g e r , I n d u s t r i a l D e v e l o p m e n t B a n k o f I n d i a ( I D B I ) ,

M u m b a i , h a s o r c h e s t r a t e d h i s l i f e h a r m o n i o u s l y

K. R A M K R I S H N A

H i s e x a m p l e is w o r t h e m u l a t i n g by o t h e r

e d u c a t e d b l i n d p e r s o n s . F o r t h e m ,

h e is a s o u r c e o f i n s p i r a t i o n

P R A V I N C. D A N D I A ,

E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R , N A B

M u s i c a n d m a n a g e m e n t a p p e a r t o b e t h e t w o g u i d i n g f o r c e s i n K. R a m k r i s h n a ' s l i f e . A s a y o u n g b o y , K. R a m k r i s h n a d e v e l o p e d a t a s t e f o r Namasankirtan a n d h e c o n t i n u e s t o b e a f o l l o w e r o f t h i s d i v i n e f o r m o f bhakti. H e c o n d u c t s t h i s kirtan i n S a n s k r i t , H i n d i , M a r a t h i a n d f o u r S o u t h I n d i a n l a n g u a g e s .

T h e s t r i n g s o f K. R a m k r i s h n a ' s e x i s t e n c e a r e m a n y , a l l r e s o n a t i n g t o v a r i e d t u n e s . H e i s t h e first v i s u a l l y i m p a i r e d p e r s o n i n I n d i a t o h a v e c o m p l e t e d h i s M B A , s p e c i a l i s i n g i n F i n a n c e . T o d a y , h i s j o b p r o f i l e i n v o l v e s t h e c o m m e r c i a l a p p r a i s a l o f i n d u s t r i a l p r o j e c t s .

H e is t h e H o n o r a r y S e c r e t a r y o f t h e N a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n f o r t h e B l i n d - I n d i a ( N A B ) , a n d a v i s i t i n g f a c u l t y m e m b e r o f S.P. J a i n I n s t i t u t e o f M a n a g e m e n t a n d R e s e a r c h . H e h a s b e e n r e c e n t l y c o n f e r r e d t h e A l l I n d i a C o n f e d e r a t i o n o f t h e B l i n d M i l l e n n i u m A w a r d .

C a r n a t i c d e v o t i o n a l m u s i c , abhangs, a n d t h e g e n t l e s t r a i n s o f t h e s i t a r c o m b i n e t o b r i n g t h e s o u n d o f m u s i c i n t o K. R a m k r i s h n a ' s l i f e , a n d t o t h e l i v e s o f t h o s e a r o u n d h i m .

Tel 0 2 2 - 2 1 6 1 7 6 1 F a x 0 2 2 - 2 1 5 5 7 6 3 E-mail k . r a m k r i s h n a @ i d b i . c o . i n

SINCERITY COUNTS

The single-minded dedication of the visually impaired, 42-year-old Madhu Singhal, Honorary Managing Trustee, Mitra Jyoth( Bangalore,

has ensured that persons with disabilities are given ample opportunities to lead independent lives

MAOHU SINGHAL

Her H e r dynamic persona lity and

selfless service have benefitted more than

5,000 disabled persons NILIMA N. ROVSHEN,

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,

WADHWANI

FOUNDATION INDIA

Braille is much more than a written language with characters represented in raised dots. For the visual ly impaired, it is a bridge that helps them cross many barriers. Realising this, Madhu set up a Braille transcription centre for making books, in 1999. Almost a decade ago, she started a Talking Book Library with 55 cassettes and 15 members. Today, this library has over 13,000 cassettes and 521 members.

Madhu's life has been one of service. Her endeavour is to assist persons with disabilities ~o achieve inrlependence by making them aware of their rights through education and training. As the name suggests, Independent Living Skills Training, the centre for visually impaired women at Mitra Jyothi, helps equip them for a more fulfilling life. Madhu has also helped 75 men and 92 women get jobs within the corporate sector.

Madhu holds a Masters degree in Hindustani Classical Vocal Music. She has travelled extensively, undertaken various training courses and e·ven participated in a trekking camp, adhering to the adage of climbing every mountain, literally and metaphorically.

Tel 080-5298987 E-mail mjyothi@vsnl.com

M A D H U S I N G H A L

S I N C E R I T Y C O U N T S

T h e s i n g l e - m i n d e d d e d i c a t i o n o f t h e v i s u a l l y i m p a i r e d , 4 2 - y e a r - o l d M a d h u S i n g h a l , H o n o r a r y M a n a g i n g T r u s t e e , M i t r a J y o t h i , B a n g a l o r e ,

h a s e n s u r e d t h a t p e r s o n s w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s a r e g i v e n a m p l e o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o l e a d i n d e p e n d e n t l i v e s

B r a i l l e is m u c h m o r e t h a n a w r i t t e n l a n g u a g e w i t h c h a r a c t e r s r e p r e s e n t e d i n r a i s e d d o t s . F o r t h e v i s u a l l y i m p a i r e d , i t i s a b r i d g e t h a t h e l p s t h e m c r o s s m a n y b a r r i e r s . R e a l i s i n g t h i s , M a d h u s e t u p a B r a i l l e t r a n s c r i p t i o n c e n t r e f o r m a k i n g b o o k s , i n 1 9 9 9 . A l m o s t a d e c a d e a g o , s h e s t a r t e d a T a l k i n g B o o k L i b r a r y w i t h 5 5 c a s s e t t e s a n d 15 m e m b e r s . T o d a y , t h i s l i b r a r y h a s o v e r 1 3 , 0 0 0 c a s s e t t e s a n d 5 2 1 m e m b e r s .

M a d h u ' s l i f e h a s b e e n o n e o f s e r v i c e . H e r e n d e a v o u r is t o a s s i s t p e r s o n s w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s t o a c h i e v e i n d e p e n d e n c e b y m a k i n g t h e m a w a r e o f t h e i r r i g h t s t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n a n d t r a i n i n g . A s t h e n a m e s u g g e s t s , I n d e p e n d e n t L i v i n g S k i l l s T r a i n i n g , t h e c e n t r e f o r v i s u a l l y i m p a i r e d w o m e n a t M i t r a J y o t h i , h e l p s e q u i p t h e m f o r a m o r e f u l f i l l i n g l i f e . M a d h u h a s a l s o h e l p e d 7 5 m e n a n d 9 2 w o m e n g e t j o b s w i t h i n t h e c o r p o r a t e s e c t o r .

d y n a m i c p e r s o n a l i t y a n d

s e l f l e s s s e r v i c e h a v e b e n e f i t t e d m o r e t h a n

5,000 d i s a b l e d p e r s o n s N I L I M A N. R O V S H E N ,

M a d h u h o l d s a M a s t e r s d e g r e e i n H i n d u s t a n i C l a s s i c a l V o c a l M u s i c . S h e h a s t r a v e l l e d e x t e n s i v e l y , u n d e r t a k e n v a r i o u s t r a i n i n g c o u r s e s a n d e v e n p a r t i c i p a t e d i n a t r e k k i n g c a m p , a d h e r i n g t o t h e a d a g e o f c l i m b i n g e v e r y m o u n t a i n , l i t e r a l l y a n d m e t a p h o r i c a l l y . E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R ,

W A D H W A N I

F O U N D A T I O N I N D I A Tel 0 8 0 - 5 2 9 8 9 8 7 E-mail m j y o t h i @ v s n l . c o m

FIRST STEPS

For 44-year-old Paul Y. Samuel, Manager, Orthotic Unit, Association of People with Disability (APO), Bangalore, improving the quality of his life meant

helping a disabled person make the first move

PAULY. SAMUEL

Samuel introduced a new generation of lightweight PVC

calipers. In one stroke, he made the lives

of many people with orthopaedic disability easier

V. S. BASAVARAJU,

GENERAL MANAGER, APO

Samuel could easily have become a stenographer and banged away at the computer, tucked away in any office. But, something inside told him that he was cut out for a different purpose in life.

After studying Orthosis and Prosthesis, a course that he almost did not complete, his efforts took root under a tree at the APO premises. It was here in 1982 that he started an Orthotic Unit to promote mobility aids and appliances. For this, he was inspired by a patient, Narayan Swamy, who had lost a leg and who urged Samuel to continue in his chosen path.

There was no looking back; his work spread its branches to slums and rural areas. In 1985, he and his team made aids and appliances for nearly 200 children with mobility needs. Samuel also trains people to manufacture aids and appliances. He has trained 11 batches of orthotic technicians; the total number trained being 112. This includes candidates from India, Sri Lanka, Nepal an? some African countries as well. Of these 112, 72 are persons with disability.

A step in the right direction for Samuel: a huge gain for disabled people.

Tel 080-5464902/5475165 Fax 080-5470390 E-mail

ablehand@vsnl.com

F I R S T S T E P S

F o r 4 4 - y e a r - o l d P a u l Y . S a m u e l , M a n a g e r , O r t h o t i c U n i t , A s s o c i a t i o n o f P e o p l e w i t h D i s a b i l i t y ( A P D ) , B a n g a l o r e , i m p r o v i n g t h e q u a l i t y o f his l i f e m e a n t

h e l p i n g a d i s a b l e d p e r s o n m a k e t h e f i r s t m o v e

P A U L Y. S A M U E L

S a m u e l i n t r o d u c e d a n e w g e n e r a t i o n o f

l i g h t w e i g h t P V C c a l i p e r s . In o n e s t r o k e ,

h e m a d e t h e l i v e s o f m a n y p e o p l e

w i t h o r t h o p a e d i c d i s a b i l i t y e a s i e r

V. S . B A S A V A R A J U ,

G E N E R A L M A N A G E R , A P D

S a m u e l c o u l d e a s i l y h a v e b e c o m e a s t e n o g r a p h e r a n d b a n g e d a w a y a t t h e c o m p u t e r , t u c k e d a w a y i n a n y o f f i c e . B u t , s o m e t h i n g i n s i d e t o l d h i m t h a t h e w a s c u t o u t f o r a d i f f e r e n t p u r p o s e i n l i f e .

A f t e r s t u d y i n g O r t h o s i s a n d P r o s t h e s i s , a c o u r s e t h a t h e a l m o s t d i d n o t c o m p l e t e , h i s e f f o r t s t o o k r o o t u n d e r a t r e e a t t h e A P D p r e m i s e s . I t w a s h e r e i n 1 9 8 2 t h a t h e s t a r t e d a n O r t h o t i c U n i t t o p r o m o t e m o b i l i t y a i d s a n d a p p l i a n c e s . F o r t h i s , h e w a s i n s p i r e d b y a p a t i e n t , N a r a y a n S w a m y , w h o h a d l o s t a l e g a n d w h o u r g e d S a m u e l t o c o n t i n u e i n h i s c h o s e n p a t h .

T h e r e w a s n o l o o k i n g b a c k ; h i s w o r k s p r e a d i t s b r a n c h e s t o s l u m s a n d r u r a l a r e a s . I n 1 9 8 5 , h e a n d h i s t e a m m a d e a i d s a n d a p p l i a n c e s f o r n e a r l y 2 0 0 c h i l d r e n w i t h m o b i l i t y n e e d s . S a m u e l a l s o t r a i n s p e o p l e t o m a n u f a c t u r e a i d s a n d a p p l i a n c e s . H e h a s t r a i n e d 11 b a t c h e s o f o r t h o t i c t e c h n i c i a n s ; t h e t o t a l n u m b e r t r a i n e d b e i n g 1 1 2 . T h i s i n c l u d e s c a n d i d a t e s f r o m I n d i a , S r i L a n k a , N e p a l a n d s o m e A f r i c a n c o u n t r i e s a s w e l l . Of t h e s e 112, 72 a r e p e r s o n s w i t h d i s a b i l i t y .

A s t e p i n t h e r i g h t d i r e c t i o n f o r S a m u e l : a h u g e g a i n f o r d i s a b l e d p e o p l e .

Tel 0 8 0 - 5 4 6 4 9 0 2 / 5 4 7 5 1 6 5 Fax 0 8 0 - 5 4 7 0 3 9 0 E-mail a b l e h a n d @ v s n l . c o m

ABLING DESIGN

Fifty-e ig ht-yea r-old Professor Singanapalli Balaram, Chairman, Knowledge Management Centre, National Institute of Diesign (NID),

Ahmedabad, works hard at sensitising designers, planners and architects to the needs of disabled persons

PROF SI NGANAPALLI BALARAM

Professor Balaram is a 'th inking' designer. We need many more

like him! HELEN KELLER AWARDS

SEARCH COMMITTEE

Accessibility and disability are the two issues that have concerned Bala ram for the past 25 years. Qualified in Engineering, Industrial Design and Design Research, he has been instrumental in bringing the requirements of disabled persons into design education and qesign practice.

He is, no doubt, the right man at the right job. Bala ram has influenced policy changes in this direction at NID, and even made sure that the NID campus is made accessible to disabled persons. He has also drafted the Post Diploma Programme in Design for Special Needs, which will soon commence under his charge. He has written on this subject for both, the Encyclopaedia Britannica and the Universal Design Handbook. Bala ram has also designed ca lipers for the orthopaedically impaired.

Closer home, he has collaborated with NCPEDP in organising the first national seminar on Design for the Disabled. Indeed, Balaram's efforts towards creating a barrier-free world for disabled'persons have led to increased awareness at all levels.

Tel 079-6639692 Fax 079-6605242 E-mail

s_ba laram43@hotmail.com

A B L I N G D E S I G N

F i f t y - e i g h t - y e a r - o l d P r o f e s s o r S i n g a n a p a l l i B a l a r a m , C h a i r m a n , K n o w l e d g e M a n a g e m e n t C e n t r e , N a t i o n a l I n s t i t u t e o f D e s i g n ( N I D ) ,

A h m e d a b a d , w o r k s h a r d a t s e n s i t i s i n g d e s i g n e r s , p l a n n e r s a n d a r c h i t e c t s t o t h e n e e d s o f d i s a b l e d p e r s o n s

P R O F S I N G A N A P A L L I B A L A R A M

P r o f e s s o r B a l a r a m is a ' t h i n k i n g ' d e s i g n e r . W e n e e d m a n y m o r e

l i k e h i m ! H E L E N K E L L E R A W A R D S

S E A R C H C O M M I T T E E

A c c e s s i b i l i t y a n d d i s a b i l i t y a r e t h e t w o i s s u e s t h a t h a v e c o n c e r n e d B a l a r a m f o r t h e p a s t 2 5 y e a r s . Q u a l i f i e d i n E n g i n e e r i n g , I n d u s t r i a l D e s i g n a n d D e s i g n R e s e a r c h , h e h a s b e e n i n s t r u m e n t a l i n b r i n g i n g t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s o f d i s a b l e d p e r s o n s i n t o d e s i g n e d u c a t i o n a n d d e s i g n p r a c t i c e .

H e i s , n o d o u b t , t h e r i g h t m a n a t t h e r i g h t j o b . B a l a r a m h a s i n f l u e n c e d p o l i c y c h a n g e s i n t h i s d i r e c t i o n a t N I D , a n d e v e n m a d e s u r e t h a t t h e N I D c a m p u s i s m a d e a c c e s s i b l e t o d i s a b l e d p e r s o n s . H e h a s a l s o d r a f t e d t h e P o s t D i p l o m a P r o g r a m m e in D e s i g n f o r S p e c i a l N e e d s , w h i c h w i l l s o o n c o m m e n c e u n d e r h i s c h a r g e . H e h a s w r i t t e n o n t h i s s u b j e c t f o r b o t h , t h e Encyclopaedia Britannica a n d t h e Universal Design Handbook. B a l a r a m h a s a l s o d e s i g n e d c a l i p e r s f o r t h e o r t h o p a e d i c a l l y i m p a i r e d .

C l o s e r h o m e , h e h a s c o l l a b o r a t e d w i t h N C P E D P i n o r g a n i s i n g t h e first n a t i o n a l s e m i n a r o n D e s i g n f o r t h e D i s a b l e d . I n d e e d , B a l a r a m ' s e f f o r t s t o w a r d s c r e a t i n g a b a r r i e r - f r e e w o r l d f o r d i s a b l e d p e r s o n s h a v e l e d t o i n c r e a s e d a w a r e n e s s a t a l l l e v e l s .

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,,

FOCUSSED JUST RIGHT

Seventy-year-old Dr Syed.,lshtiaq Haider, Honorary General Secretary, National Association for the Blind, Uttar Pradesh, has mappe'CI out a vocation for himself: to raise the standard of education for visually impaired persons

DR SYED ISHTIAQ HAIDER

His missionary zeal for the improvement of the lifestyles and standards of the

visually impaired has helped lshtiaq stand out

as a role model DR A.H. KIDWAI, MEMBER

OF PARLIAMENT,

RAJYA SABHA

es Given his own impressive list of qualifications: Master of Arts, Master of Education, PhD, and, finally, the Perkins Teachers' Training Diploma for Teaching the Blind from the USA, it is not surprising that lshtiaq's passion in life is to help others achieve similar success through education.

More specifically, lshtiaq was the first to introduce Science, Mathematics and Stenotyping for the visually impaired at the High School level in India. This had an expected reflex action-the students who studied all these subjects also proceeded for higher education subsequently and aspired for higher positions in life. A vast majority ofthem is today gainfully employed. Focussed on his chosen field, lshtiaq has written a book on integrated education: Visually Handicapped Children. He has also conducted several rural rehabilitation programmes and has set up a Training and Adjustment Centre for the Blind at Aligarh.

A dedicated service, almost as rare as the sighting of a beautiful rainbow.

Tel 0571-703539 E-mail mansurahaidar@rediffmail.com

F O C U S S E D J U S T R I G H T

S e v e n t y - y e a r - o l d D r S y e d I s h t i a q H a i d e r , H o n o r a r y G e n e r a l S e c r e t a r y , N a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n f o r t h e B l i n d , U t t a r P r a d e s h , h a s m a p p e d o u t a v o c a t i o n

f o r h i m s e l f : t o r a i s e t h e s t a n d a r d o f e d u c a t i o n f o r v i s u a l l y i m p a i r e d p e r s o n s

D R S Y E D I S H T I A Q H A I D E R

H i s m i s s i o n a r y z e a l f o r t h e i m p r o v e m e n t o f

t h e l i f e s t y l e s a n d s t a n d a r d s o f t h e

v i s u a l l y i m p a i r e d h a s h e l p e d I s h t i a q s t a n d o u t

a s a r o l e m o d e l DR A.R. K I D W A I , M E M B E R

O F P A R L I A M E N T ,

R A J Y A S A B H A

G i v e n h i s o w n i m p r e s s i v e l i s t o f q u a l i f i c a t i o n s : M a s t e r o f A r t s , M a s t e r o f E d u c a t i o n , P h D , a n d , f i n a l l y , t h e P e r k i n s T e a c h e r s ' T r a i n i n g D i p l o m a f o r T e a c h i n g t h e B l i n d f r o m t h e U S A , i t i s n o t s u r p r i s i n g t h a t I s h t i a q ' s p a s s i o n i n l i f e is t o h e l p o t h e r s a c h i e v e s i m i l a r s u c c e s s t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n .

M o r e s p e c i f i c a l l y , I s h t i a q w a s t h e f i r s t t o i n t r o d u c e S c i e n c e , M a t h e m a t i c s a n d S t e n o t y p i n g f o r t h e v i s u a l l y i m p a i r e d a t t h e H i g h S c h o o l l e v e l i n I n d i a . T h i s h a d a n e x p e c t e d r e f l e x a c t i o n - t h e s t u d e n t s w h o s t u d i e d a l l t h e s e s u b j e c t s a l s o p r o c e e d e d f o r h i g h e r e d u c a t i o n s u b s e q u e n t l y a n d a s p i r e d f o r h i g h e r p o s i t i o n s i n l i f e . A v a s t m a j o r i t y o f t h e m i s t o d a y g a i n f u l l y e m p l o y e d . F o c u s s e d o n h i s c h o s e n f i e l d , I s h t i a q h a s w r i t t e n a b o o k o n i n t e g r a t e d e d u c a t i o n : Visually Handicapped Children. H e h a s a l s o c o n d u c t e d s e v e r a l r u r a l r e h a b i l i t a t i o n p r o g r a m m e s a n d h a s s e t u p a T r a i n i n g a n d A d j u s t m e n t C e n t r e f o r t h e B l i n d a t A l i g a r h .

A d e d i c a t e d s e r v i c e , a l m o s t a s r a r e a s t h e s i g h t i n g o f a b e a u t i f u l r a i n b o w .

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COMING TOGETHER

A group that works together, succeeds together. It is this belief that led the management at Cummins India Limited, manufacturers of diesel engines and

generator sets, to view its activities as a community

CUMMINS INDIA LIMITED

,., Cummins India Limited (CIL) was incorporated in Pune in 1962 for the production of power generation, industrial and marine applications. The past 40 years have seen the company broaden its scope, including its efforts at helping disabled persons. Today, the total number of disabled employees at CIL is 22.

CIL's endeavour has not gone unnoticed. The Govern­ment of India has conferred on itthe National Award for the

C O M I N G T O G E T H E R

A g r o u p t h a t w o r k s t o g e t h e r , s u c c e e d s t o g e t h e r . I t i s t h i s b e l i e f t h a t l e d t h e m a n a g e m e n t a t C u m m i n s I n d i a L i m i t e d , m a n u f a c t u r e r s o f d i e s e l e n g i n e s a n d

g e n e r a t o r s e t s , t o v i e w i t s a c t i v i t i e s a s a c o m m u n i t y

C U M M I N S I N D I A L I M I T E D

C u m m i n s I n d i a L i m i t e d (CIL) w a s i n c o r p o r a t e d i n P u n e i n 1 9 6 2 f o r t h e p r o d u c t i o n o f p o w e r g e n e r a t i o n , i n d u s t r i a l a n d m a r i n e a p p l i c a t i o n s . T h e p a s t 4 0 y e a r s h a v e s e e n t h e c o m p a n y b r o a d e n i t s s c o p e , i n c l u d i n g i t s e f f o r t s a t h e l p i n g d i s a b l e d p e r s o n s . T o d a y , t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f d i s a b l e d e m p l o y e e s a t C I L is 2 2 .

CIL's e n d e a v o u r h a s n o t g o n e u n n o t i c e d . T h e G o v e r n ­m e n t o f I n d i a h a s c o n f e r r e d o n i t t h e N a t i o n a l A w a r d f o r t h e

_c>

i

Consistent with our organisational vision: 'Making peoples' lives

better by unleashing the power of Cummins', we

promote the employ­ment of disabled people

KIRAN SAVARGAONKAR,

SENIOR MANAGER,

PERSONNEL &

ADMINISTRATION, GIL

Welfare of People with Disabilities . .This gave the company a further shot in the arm to follow its philosophy: "To improve the society in which we live and operate in."

In this pursuit of excellence, the company ensured that its goals converged to meet its obje_ctives, as responsible corporate citizens. This social consciousness laid the founda­t ion for several other initiatives too, including the Cummins India Foundation (CIF) that gives back to society what it initially gained from it by focussing on Human Welfare and Environment Protection. CIF concentrates on education, environment protection and renewable energy.

So, as Cl L progresses and prospers, it never forgets the community from whom it draws its resources. Cummins India Limited has integrated its activities and stands out in the corporate world as a symbol of renewal and rejuvenation.

Tel 020-5385435/5380240 Fax 020-5380125

E-mail ravi.venkatesan@cummins.com

C o n s i s t e n t w i t h o u r o r g a n i s a t i o n a l v i s i o n :

' M a k i n g p e o p l e s ' l i v e s b e t t e r by u n l e a s h i n g t h e p o w e r of C u m m i n s ' , w e

p r o m o t e t h e e m p l o y ­m e n t of d i s a b l e d p e o p l e

K I R A N S A V A R G A O N K A R , S E N I O R M A N A G E R ,

P E R S O N N E L & A D M I N I S T R A T I O N , C I L

W e l f a r e o f P e o p l e w i t h D i s a b i l i t i e s . T h i s g a v e t h e c o m p a n y a f u r t h e r s h o t i n t h e a r m t o f o l l o w i t s p h i l o s o p h y : "To i m p r o v e t h e s o c i e t y i n w h i c h w e l i v e a n d o p e r a t e i n . "

In t h i s p u r s u i t o f e x c e l l e n c e , t h e c o m p a n y e n s u r e d t h a t i t s g o a l s c o n v e r g e d t o m e e t i t s o b j e c t i v e s , a s r e s p o n s i b l e c o r p o r a t e c i t i z e n s . T h i s s o c i a l c o n s c i o u s n e s s l a i d t h e f o u n d a ­t i o n f o r s e v e r a l o t h e r i n i t i a t i v e s t o o , i n c l u d i n g t h e C u m m i n s I n d i a F o u n d a t i o n (CIF) t h a t g i v e s b a c k t o s o c i e t y w h a t i t i n i t i a l l y g a i n e d f r o m i t b y f o c u s s i n g o n H u m a n W e l f a r e a n d E n v i r o n m e n t P r o t e c t i o n . C I F c o n c e n t r a t e s o n e d u c a t i o n , e n v i r o n m e n t p r o t e c t i o n a n d r e n e w a b l e e n e r g y .

S o , a s C I L p r o g r e s s e s a n d p r o s p e r s , i t n e v e r f o r g e t s t h e c o m m u n i t y f r o m w h o m i t d r a w s i t s r e s o u r c e s . C u m m i n s I n d i a L i m i t e d h a s i n t e g r a t e d i t s a c t i v i t i e s a n d s t a n d s o u t i n t h e c o r p o r a t e w o r l d a s a s y m b o l o f r e n e w a l a n d r e j u v e n a t i o n .

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E-mail r a v i . v e n k a t e s a n @ c u m m i n s . c o m

ALL IN THE MIND

Seventeen years ago, Chenna i-based Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) decided to take up a challenge that very few institutions would - the

care and rehabilitation of the menta lly disabled - and ch anged a mindset

SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH FOUNDATION

Schizophrenia Research Foundation is a ca re and rehabilitation institute for people with mental illness that promotes awareness, research and tra ining. It does this with the help of its dedicated workforce that includes 106 mentally challenged individuals.

The secret is to understand mental illness and find out the extent to which it actually affects the individual's capacity to work and contribute to society. As a research foundation, SCARF has done exact ly this. Consequently, it has utilised its resources and provided services that include out-patient and

A L L I N T H E M I N D

S e v e n t e e n y e a r s a g o , C h e n n a i - b a s e d S c h i z o p h r e n i a R e s e a r c h F o u n d a t i o n ( S C A R F ) d e c i d e d t o t a k e u p a c h a l l e n g e t h a t v e r y f e w i n s t i t u t i o n s w o u l d - t h e

c a r e a n d r e h a b i l i t a t i o n o f t h e m e n t a l l y d i s a b l e d - a n d c h a n g e d a m i n d s e t

S C H I Z O P H R E N I A R E S E A R C H F O U N D A T I O N

S c h i z o p h r e n i a R e s e a r c h F o u n d a t i o n is a c a r e a n d r e h a b i l i t a t i o n i n s t i t u t e f o r p e o p l e w i t h m e n t a l i l l n e s s t h a t p r o m o t e s a w a r e n e s s , r e s e a r c h a n d t r a i n i n g . I t d o e s t h i s w i t h t h e h e l p o f i t s d e d i c a t e d w o r k f o r c e t h a t i n c l u d e s 1 0 6 m e n t a l l y c h a l l e n g e d i n d i v i d u a l s .

T h e s e c r e t i s t o u n d e r s t a n d m e n t a l i l l n e s s a n d f i n d o u t t h e e x t e n t t o w h i c h i t a c t u a l l y a f f e c t s t h e i n d i v i d u a l ' s c a p a c i t y t o w o r k a n d c o n t r i b u t e t o s o c i e t y . A s a r e s e a r c h f o u n d a t i o n , S C A R F h a s d o n e e x a c t l y t h i s . C o n s e q u e n t l y , i t h a s u t i l i s e d i t s r e s o u r c e s a n d p r o v i d e d s e r v i c e s t h a t i n c l u d e o u t - p a t i e n t a n d

SCARF has grown from strength to strength; its

commitment to the mentally disabled is

highly laudable C.K. GARIYALI, SECRETARY

TO CHIEF MINISTER,

GOVERNMENT OF

TAMILNADU

in-patient care; rehabilitation and regaining lost skills and an employment bureau that maintains a list of those-fit to seek work. It has already placed 126 mentally disabled men and 35 women in jobs. No wonder, then, that in 1995 it received the 'Best Employer of Disabled People' award from the Government of India.

SCARF's contribution in demystifying mental health for the public bec ame all the more pertinent after the Erwadi tragedy. To spread awareness still further, it has made films and documentaries and also RUblished several articles.

There are no two ways about it: SCARF is the si lver lining in the lives of many.

Tel 044-6263971/6207073 Fax 044-6263971 E-mail scarf@vsnl.com

S C A R F h a s g r o w n f r o m s t r e n g t h t o s t r e n g t h ; i t s

c o m m i t m e n t t o t h e m e n t a l l y d i s a b l e d is

h i g h l y l a u d a b l e C.K. G A R I Y A L I , S E C R E T A R Y

T O C H I E F M I N I S T E R ,

G O V E R N M E N T O F

T A M I L N A D U

i n - p a t i e n t c a r e ; r e h a b i l i t a t i o n a n d r e g a i n i n g l o s t s k i l l s a n d a n e m p l o y m e n t b u r e a u t h a t m a i n t a i n s a l i s t o f t h o s e f i t t o s e e k w o r k . I t h a s a l r e a d y p l a c e d 1 2 6 m e n t a l l y d i s a b l e d m e n a n d 3 5 w o m e n i n j o b s . N o w o n d e r , t h e n , t h a t i n 1 9 9 5 i t r e c e i v e d t h e ' B e s t E m p l o y e r o f D i s a b l e d P e o p l e ' a w a r d f r o m t h e G o v e r n m e n t o f I n d i a .

S C A R F ' s c o n t r i b u t i o n i n d e m y s t i f y i n g m e n t a l h e a l t h f o r t h e p u b l i c b e c a m e a l l t h e m o r e p e r t i n e n t a f t e r t h e E r w a d i t r a g e d y . T o s p r e a d a w a r e n e s s s t i l l f u r t h e r , i t h a s m a d e f i l m s a n d d o c u m e n t a r i e s a n d a l s o p u b l i s h e d s e v e r a l a r t i c l e s .

T h e r e a r e n o t w o w a y s a b o u t i t : S C A R F i s t h e s i l v e r l i n i n g i n t h e l i v e s o f m a n y .

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THE DISABILITY-FRIENDLY CORPORATE LOGO

~·-· Three years ago, we unveiled a logo that we knew would, literally, go places.

It was a simple graphic that had a heart-warming appeal / As its name suggests, this logo honours companies that care

This disability-friendly corporate logo portrays a reaching out by the corporates on the one hand, and the disabled community on the other. The handshake is a gesture of affirmation; it shows that the disabled person is not alone. There is someone who will participate with him in living life with dignity. The yin and the yang, subtly portrayed in the backdrop, signify the twin energy forces of life and depict the disabled and the non-disabled in a positive environment.

Created by Write Media in the .disability colours of blue and yellow, this logo has a stark message to convey: "Let us, together, reach out to all and ensure that, by getting more opportunities in the workplace, people with disabilities are allowed to lead a life of productivity and fulfillment. Let us aim at recreating the image of a disabled person as someone who can contribute to the building of a new India."

We are confident that, over time, our logo will evolve into an easily recognisable symbol aimed at bringing about a change in attitude in companies across India.

T H E D I S A B I L I T Y - F R I E N D L Y C O R P O R A T E LOGO

T h r e e y e a r s a g o , w e u n v e i l e d a l o g o t h a t w e k n e w w o u l d , l i t e r a l l y , g o p l a c e s . I t w a s a s i m p l e g r a p h i c t h a t h a d a h e a r t - w a r m i n g a p p e a l As i t s n a m e

s u g g e s t s , t h i s l o g o h o n o u r s c o m p a n i e s t h a t c a r e

T h i s d i s a b i l i t y - f r i e n d l y c o r p o r a t e l o g o p o r t r a y s a r e a c h i n g o u t b y t h e c o r p o r a t e s o n t h e o n e h a n d , a n d t h e d i s a b l e d c o m m u n i t y o n t h e o t h e r . T h e h a n d s h a k e i s a g e s t u r e o f a f f i r m a t i o n ; i t s h o w s t h a t t h e d i s a b l e d p e r s o n is n o t a l o n e . T h e r e is s o m e o n e w h o w i l l p a r t i c i p a t e w i t h h i m i n l i v i n g l i f e w i t h d i g n i t y . T h e y i n a n d t h e y a n g , s u b t l y p o r t r a y e d i n t h e b a c k d r o p , s i g n i f y t h e t w i n e n e r g y f o r c e s o f l i f e a n d d e p i c t t h e d i s a b l e d a n d t h e n o n - d i s a b l e d i n a p o s i t i v e e n v i r o n m e n t .

C r e a t e d b y W r i t e M e d i a i n t h e d i s a b i l i t y c o l o u r s o f b l u e a n d y e l l o w , t h i s l o g o h a s a s t a r k m e s s a g e t o c o n v e y : " L e t u s , t o g e t h e r , r e a c h o u t t o a l l a n d e n s u r e t h a t , b y g e t t i n g m o r e o p p o r t u n i t i e s i n t h e w o r k p l a c e , p e o p l e w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s a r e a l l o w e d t o l e a d a l i f e o f p r o d u c t i v i t y a n d f u l f i l l m e n t . L e t u s a i m a t r e c r e a t i n g t h e i m a g e o f a d i s a b l e d p e r s o n a s s o m e o n e who c a n c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e b u i l d i n g o f a n e w I n d i a . "

W e a r e c o n f i d e n t t h a t , o v e r t i m e , o u r l o g o w i l l e v o l v e i n t o a n e a s i l y r e c o g n i s a b l e s y m b o l a i m e d a t b r i n g i n g a b o u t a c h a n g e i n a t t i t u d e i n c o m p a n i e s a c r o s s I n d i a .

NATIONAL CENTRE FOR PROMOTION OF EMPLOYMENT

FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

25 Green Park Extension Yusuf Sarai

New Delhi 110 016 Tel 6854306, 6967910

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