The 4th NCPEDP-Shell Helen Kellar Awards

A l o n e w e c a n d o s o l i t t l e ; t o g e t h e r w e c a n d o s o m u c h . H e l e n K e l l e r

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Introduction A c c o r d i n g t o a s t u d y c o n d u c t e d f o r u s b y M c K i n s e y &

C o m p a n y , i t i s c o s t i n g t h e N a t i o n a s m u c h a s R s . 7 2 , 0 0 0 c r o r e

p e r a n n u m t o c a r e f o r a n d l o o k a f t e r i t s d i s a b l e d c i t i z e n s .

M o s t l y , i t i s t h e p a r e n t s w h o l o o k a f t e r a p e r s o n w i t h d i s a b i l

i t y . O n c e t h e y d i e o r g e t t o o o l d , i t i s t h e s i b l i n g s w h o t a k e

o v e r . O t h e r w i s e , i t i s s o m e o n e i n t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d , o r f r o m

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

t h e ' b u r d e n ' . T o p u t i t s i m p l y , t h e G o v e r n m e n t o f I n d i a n e v e r

f e e l s t h e p i n c h !

T h i s m u s t c h a n g e . W e m u s t e n s u r e t h a t t h e G o v e r n m e n t f e e l s

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

R a j i v G a n d h i g a v e I n d i a a n e w v i s i o n f o r t h e t r u e e m p o w e r

m e n t o f i t s d i s a b l e d c i t i z e n s . T h e c o m p r e h e n s i v e l e g i s l a t i o n

e n a c t e d i n 1995 i s a t e s t i m o n y a n d a s a l u t e t o t h a t v i s i o n . O n

t h i s W o r l d D i s a b i l i t y D a y , w e a t N C P E D P t a k e t h a t p l e d g e

o n c e a g a i n t h a t w e w i l l c o n t i n u e t o w o r k d e d i c a t e d l y t o w a r d s

t h e f u l f i l l m e n t o f t h a t d r e a m .

Javed Abidi E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r

N C P E D P

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Message C o m p a n i e s m u s t d e l i v e r a n d b e seen t o d e l i v e r i n t w o

w a y s . T h e y m u s t d e l i v e r t h e p r o f i t a b i l i t y e x p e c t e d f r o m t h e i r

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

s o c i e t y . I t i s i n t h i s l a t t e r c o n t e x t t h a t S h e l l I n d i a h a s s u p

p o r t e d t h e H e l e n K e l l e r A w a r d s f o r t h e p a s t f o u r y e a r s .

S h e l l I n d i a ' s i n v o l v e m e n t w i t h t h e H e l e n K e l l e r A w a r d s s t e m s

f r o m a c o m m i t m e n t t o e n l a r g e t h e a v e n u e s f o r a c c e s s t o

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

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

f u l l y b y N C P E D P , t h a t t h e g r e a t e s t d i s a b i l i t y t h a t c a n b e i n

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

p r o g r e s s . O u r s u p p o r t f o r t h e s e a w a r d s i s o n e s t e p , a l b e i t

s m a l l , t o w a r d s l a y i n g t h e f o u n d a t i o n f o r e n s u r i n g t h a t t h i s

d o e s n o t h a p p e n a n 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 y a r e p r o v i d e d

a f a i r c h a n c e t o e x p l o r e a n d e x p l o i t t h e b r o a d e n i n g o p p o r t u n i

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

a n d t e c h n o l o g y .

S h e l l I n d i a i s p r o u d o f i t s a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h t h e H e l e n K e l l e r

A w a r d s a n d i t i s w i t h h u m i l i t y a n d r e s p e c t t h a t w e p a y t r i b u t e

t o t h e a w a r d e e s f o r t h e i r c o n t r i b u t i o n t o t h e w e l f a r e o f t h e

d i s a b l e d c o m m u n i t y .

Vikram S. Mehta 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

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Message The N a t i o n a l C e n t r e f o r P r o m o t i o n o f E m p l o y m e n t f o r

D i s a b l e d P e o p l e ( N C P E D P ) h a s b e e n w o r k i n g f o r s o m e y e a r s

n o w f o r t h e r e c o g n i t i o n a n d a c t u a l i s a t i o n o f t h e r i g h t s o f

p e o p l e 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 a l l s p h e r e s o f l i f e .

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

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

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

t i e s o n e q u a l t e r m s w i t h o t h e r s e c t i o n s o f s o c i e t y .

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

1999 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 y e a r s b y c o n t r i b u t i n g i m m e n s e l y n o t o n l y

t o t h e o b j e c t i v e s o f N C P E D P , b u t a l s o 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 i n g e n e r a l .

I s e n d m y f e l i c i t a t i o n s a n d g o o d w i s h e s t o t h e r e c i p i e n t s o f

t h e H e l e n K e l l e r A w a r d s t h i s y e a r .

Sonia Gandhi L e a d e r o f O p p o s i t i o n , L o k S a b h a

W h e n w e d o t h e b e s t t h a t w e c a n , w e n e v e r k n o w w h a t

miracle is wrought

i n o u r l i f e , o r i n t h e life of another. H e l e n K e l l e r

The Awards C P E D P i s p r o u d t o b r i n g t o y o u t h e 4 t h H e l e n K e l l e r

A w a r d s . I n s t i t u t e d i n 1 9 9 9 , t h e A w a r d s s y m b o l i s e a n e q u a l

p l a y i n g f i e l d f o r p e o p l e w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s .

E v e r y y e a r , w e s e l e c t 10 r o l e m o d e l s f r o m I n d i a w h o h a v e

b e e n d o i n g e x e m p l a r y w o r k t o w a r d s h e l p i n g d i s a b l e d p e r s o n s

find t h e i r d e s e r v e d s p a c e i n t h e w o r k i n g e n v i r o n m e n t . T h e

a w a a r d e e s a r e c h o s e n b y a S e l e c t i o n C o m m i t t e e c o m p r i s i n g

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

T h e a w a r d e e s a r e p e r s o n s o r o r g a n i s a t i o n s w h o h a v e t h e

v i s i o n t o l o o k b e y o n d t h e o b v i o u s a n d c h a r t a c o u r s e t o w a r d s

a n e q u i t a b l e a n d j u s t s o c i e t y . T h o u g h t h e y h a v e b e e n d o i n g

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

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

w e s a l u t e t h e m .

T h e A w a r d s h a v e b e e n d e s i g n e d b y A b h i m a n y u N o h w a r a n d

C h a n d r a s h e k h a r B a d v e , t w o s t u d e n t s o f t h 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 , A h m e d a b a d .

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Selection Committee

Subodh Bhargava, Executive Trus tee , N C P E D P 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 ( C I I ) , 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 .

Ashok Alexander, Director, McKinsey & Company A s h o k A l e x a n d e r i s p a r t o f t h e s e n i o r c o r e g r o u p t h a t s t a r t e d M c K i n s e y ' s p r a c t i c e i n N e w D e l h i .

H e h a s e x t e n s i v e e x p e r i e n c e i n c o n s u l t i n g i n a w i d e r a n g e o f i n d u s t r i e s . H e i s o n t h e A d v i s o r y

B o a r d o f t h e A m e r i c a n - I n d i a F o u n d a t i o n , a n o n - p r o f i t o r g a n i s a t i o n . A s h o k A l e x a n d e r i s a l s o a U S

M a s t e r i n c h e s s , a g a m e i n w h i c h he i s h i g h l y r a n k e d i n I n d i a a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y r a t e d .

H a r s h Mander, Country Director, ActionAid H a r s h M a n d e r i s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h s e v e r a l s o c i a l c a u s e s a n d m o v e m e n t s , o n w h i c h h e a l s o w r i t e s

r e g u l a r l y . H e h a s w o r k e d e a r l i e r i n t h e I n d i a n A d m i n i s t r a t i v e S e r v i c e i n t h e p r e d o m i n a n t l y t r i b a l

s t a t e s o f M a d h y a P r a d e s h a n d C h a t t i s g a r h . H a r s h M a n d e r w a s a w a r d e d t h e R a j i v G a n d h i N a

t i o n a l S a d b h a v a n a A w a r d a n d M . A . T h o m a s N a t i o n a l H u m a n R i g h t s A w a r d 2 0 0 2 .

Dr Shai la ja D. Sharma, Manager. Public Affairs, Shel l India D r S h a i l a j a D . S h a r m a h a s t r a i n e d a s a s t a t i s t i c i a n a t IIT, M u m b a i . S h e b e g a n h e r c a r e e r w i t h

t h e W o r l d B a n k , w h e r e s h e w o r k e d o n s e v e r a l U N p r o j e c t s f o r s o c i o - e c o n o m i c d e v e l o p m e n t . S h e

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

She i s c o m m i t t e d t o d e v e l o p i n g m e a n i n g f u l s o c i a l p a r t n e r s h i p s f o r s u s t a i n a b l e d e v e l o p m e n t .

Ranoo Banerjee , General Secretary, Par ivaar R a n o o B a n e r j e e i s a n a c t i v i s t w h o h a s b e e n a d v o c a t i n g e q u a l r i g h t s , e d u c a t i o n o p p o r t u n i t i e s a n d

t o t a l r e h a b i l i t a t i o n f o r p e r s o n s w i t h m e n t a l d i s a b i l i t i e s . S h e i s t h e G e n e r a l S e c r e t a r y o f P a r i v a a r ,

a N a t i o n a l F e d e r a t i o n o f P a r e n t A s s o c i a t i o n s . R a n o o B a n e r j e e i s a l s o a m e m b e r o f t h e D i s a b l e d

R i g h t s G r o u p ( D R G ) . S h e i s t h e m o t h e r o f a 2 9 y e a r o l d s o n w h o i s m e n t a l l y c h a l l e n g e d .

The state of'Rajasthan is being swept by a modern-day revolution that has been scripted by Damodar Thanvi, Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Government of Rajasthan.

Thanvi is part of that rare breed of persons who can be known best through their achievements.

Students with disabilities in Rajasthan now receive free educa­Lion up to 12th standard. Almost 25,000 students benefit each year from the scholarship instituted for students with disabilities. For the first time, students with visual, speech and hearing impairment have been admitted to B.Ed. courses. Those unable to write have been provided scribes. All educa­tional institutions, including rural ones, have been instructecl to construct ramps and a minimum reservation of three per cent has

been instituted in government and government aided educational institutes.

A three per cent employment reservation has been implemented in government services and rural development schemes such as Indira Aawas Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojna, etc. Loans worth Rs five crore have already been disbursed through NI-IFDC to about 900 disabled persons. Ten per cent of the kiosks being constructed under the Chief Minister's Employment Scheme have been reserved for persons with disability. Disabled people have been exempted from service tax, a first in India.

Under Thanvi's direction, govern­ment orders in Rajasthan make it compulsory tor all new government buildings to construct ramps. The administration now provides doorstep facilities such as free medical check-ups, issuance of disability certificates. etc.

Damodar Thanvi is not through with his agenda of empowering persons.with disability yet. Above

all, he wants to create an atmosphere of respect,

empathy and honour for persons with disability.

Thanvis fierce commitment to the principles of an· equitable society has transformed the approach of Rajasthan'.s State machinery towards people with disability.

Commissioner (Disabilities) Government of Rajasthan Ambedkar Bhawan Behind Pant Krishi Bhawan Bhagwan Dass Road Jaipur 302005 Rajasthan Tel.: (0141) 2382497

Thanvi'.s acute sensitivity combined with abiding determination has ushered in an era of greater opportunities for thousands of disabled persons.

Award winners The s t a t e o f R a j a s t h a n i s b e i n g

s w e p t b y a m o d e r n - d a y r e v o l u t i o n t h a t h a s b e e n s c r i p t e d b y D a m o d a r T h a n v i , C o m m i s s i o n e r f o r P e r s o n s w i t h D i s a b i l i t i e s , G o v e r n m e n t o f R a j a s t h a n .

T h a n v i i s p a r t o f t h a t r a r e b r e e d o f p e r s o n s w h o c a n b e k n o w n b e s t t h r o u g h t h e i r a c h i e v e m e n t 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 R a j a s t h a n n o w r e c e i v e f r e e e d u c a ­t i o n u p t o 12th s t a n d a r d . A l m o s t 2 5 , 0 0 0 s t u d e n t s b e n e f i t e a c h y e a r f r o m t h e s c h o l a r s h i p i n s t i t u t e d f o r s t u d e n t s w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s . F o r t h e f i r s t t i m e , s t u d e n t s w i t h v i s u a l , s p e e c h a n d h e a r i n g i m p a i r m e n t h a v e b e e n a d m i t t e d t o B . E d . c o u r s e s . T h o s e u n a b l e t o w r i t e h a v e b e e n p r o v i d e d s c r i b e s . A l l e d u c a ­t i o n a l i n s t i t u t i o n s , i n c l u d i n g r u r a l o n e s , h a v e b e e n i n s t r u c t e d t o c o n s t r u c t r a m p s a n d a m i n i m u m r e s e r v a t i o n o f t h r e e p e r c e n t h a s

b e e n i n s t i t u t e d i n g o v e r n m e n t a n d g o v e r n m e n t a i d e d e d u c a t i o n a l i n s t i t u t e s .

A t h r e e p e r c e n t e m p l o y m e n t r e s e r v a t i o n h a s b e e n i m p l e m e n t e d i n g o v e r n m e n t s e r v i c e s a n d r u r a l d e v e l o p m e n t s c h e m e s s u c h a s I n d i r a A a w a s Y o j a n a , P r a d h a n M a n t r i G r a m o d a y a Y o j n a , e t c . L o a n s w o r t h R s f i v e c r o r e h a v e a l r e a d y b e e n d i s b u r s e d t h r o u g h N H F D C t o a b o u t 9 0 0 d i s a b l e d p e r s o n s . T e n p e r c e n t o f t h e k i o s k s b e i n g c o n s t r u c t e d u n d e r t h e C h i e f M i n i s t e r ' s E m p l o y m e n t S c h e m e h a v e b e e n r e s e r v e d f o r p e r s o n s w i t h d i s a b i l i t y . D i s a b l e d p e o p l e h a v e b e e n e x e m p t e d f r o m s e r v i c e t a x , a f i r s t i n I n d i a .

U n d e r T h a n v i ' s d i r e c t i o n , g o v e r n ­m e n t o r d e r s i n R a j a s t h a n m a k e i t c o m p u l s o r y f o r a l l n e w g o v e r n m e n t b u i l d i n g s t o c o n s t r u c t r a m p s . T h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n n o w p r o v i d e s d o o r s t e p f a c i l i t i e s s u c h a s f r e e m e d i c a l c h e c k - u p s , i s s u a n c e o f d i s a b i l i t y c e r t i f i c a t e s , e t c .

D a m o d a r T h a n v i i s n o t t h r o u g h w i t h h i s a g e n d a o f e m p o w e r i n g p e r s o n s w i t h d i s a b i l i t y y e t . A b o v e

a l l , h e w a n t s t o c r e a t e a n a t m o s p h e r e o f r e s p e c t ,

e m p a t h y a n d h o n o u r f o r p e r s o n s w i t h d i s a b i l i t y .

DAMODAR THANVI C h a n g i n g m i n d s e t s

t h r o u g h p o l i c y

Thanvi's fierce commitment to the principles of an equitable society has transformed the approach of Rajasthan's State machinery towards people with disability.

Commissioner (Disabilities) Government of Rajasthan Ambedkar Bhawan Behind Pant Krishi Bhawan Bhagwan Dass Road Jaipur 302005 Rajasthan Tel.: (0141) 2382497

Thanvi's acute sensitivity combined with abiding determination has ushered in an era of greater opportunities for thousands of disabled persons.

To Dinesh, the right to worl< is inseparable from the right to life. He has steadfastly advocated for access to workplaces, sometimes risking his life to prove a point.

Abhiyan Disab led Friends Clu b 7, East Avenue Road East Punjabi Bagh N ew Delhi 11 0026

D inesh Gupta is known for ventured headlong into Delhi's bringing traffic to a halt, and traffic, risking his life and limb, forcing buses to stop by standing in ignoring insults and taunts, stopped their path, like a modern-day a bus in the middle of the road by gladiator. standing in its path and reached his

He moves around with the destination a rejuvenated man wiLh assistance of a rollator, a device a game plan. that he uses for support, and more Dinesh then founded Abhiyan recently, for challenging buses! BuL Disabled Friends Club. Abhiyan has he does not take life-threatening launched an employment risks out of a sense of adventure. programme that helps Dinesh does iL Lo prove a point: that organisations locate appropriate he has as much right to travel to candidates with disabili ties. work in public transport as anybody Dinesh also filed a case against else. DTC before the Chief Commissioner

Having been associated with the for Persons with Disabilities . After Spastics Society of Northern India many hearings, be finally won the (SSNJ) since 1992, he opened a case. photocopying shop aL Gargi College, Dinesh is now advocating· for New Delhi after completing his · lesser interest rates on loans for vocational training at SSNT. Unable disabled entrepreneurs and higher to travel in any public transport, he returns on their investments. was completely dependent on lnspite of several representations, SSNI's vans for commuting. That the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is meant leaving his shop and return- · yet to accede. ing home at 2 pm. Naturally, he lost out on the most lucr<:1tive hours of business.

Having had enough of confine­ment and dependency, the intrepid Dinesh, decided one day to commute by the Delhi Transport Corpo­ration (DTC) bus. Dinesh

Dinesh has a strong will and ability to make things happen. His positive outlook to life and sheer determination are an example for others to follow.

Award winners

DINESH GUPTA

T a k i n g t h e f i g h t o n t o t h e s t r e e t s

To Dinesh, the right to work is inseparable from the right to life. He has steadfastly advocated for access to workplaces, sometimes risking his life to prove a point.

A b h i y a n D i s a b l e d F r i e n d s C l u b 7 , E a s t A v e n u e R o a d E a s t P u n j a b i B a g h N e w D e l h i 1 1 0 0 2 6

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

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

H a v i n g b e e n a s s o c i a t e d w i t h 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 ( S S N I ) s i n c e 1 9 9 2 , h e o p e n e d a p h o t o c o p y i n g s h o p a t G a r g i C o l l e g e , N e w D e l h i a f t e r c o m p l e t i n g h i s v o c a t i o n a l t r a i n i n g a t S S N I . U n a b l e t o t r a v e l i n a n y p u b l i c t r a n s p o r t , h e w a s c o m p l e t e l y d e p e n d e n t o n S S N I ' s v a n s f o r c o m m u t i n g . T h a t m e a n t l e a v i n g h i s s h o p a n d r e t u r n ­i n g h o m e a t 2 p m . N a t u r a l l y , h e l o s t o u t o n t h e m o s t l u c r a t i v e h o u r s of b u s i n e s s .

H a v i n g h a d e n o u g h o f c o n f i n e ­m e n t a n d d e p e n d e n c y , t h e i n t r e p i d D i n e s h , d e c i d e d o n e d a y t o c o m m u t e b y t h e D e l h i T r a n s p o r t C o r p o ­r a t i o n ( D T C ) b u s . D i n e s h

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

D i n e s h t h e n f o u n d e d A b h i y a n D i s a b l e d F r i e n d s C l u b . A b h i y a n h a s l a u n c h e d a n e m p l o y m e n t p r o g r a m m e t h a t h e l p s o r g a n i s a t i o n s l o c a t e a p p r o p r i a t e c a n d i d a t e s w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s . D i n e s h a l s o f i l e d a c a s e a g a i n s t D T C b e f o r e t h e C h i e f C o m m i s s i o n e r f o r P e r s o n s w i t h D i s a b i l i t i e s . A f t e r m a n y h e a r i n g s , h e f i n a l l y w o n t h e c a s e .

D i n e s h i s n o w a d v o c a t i n g f o r l e s s e r i n t e r e s t r a t e s o n l o a n s f o r d i s a b l e d e n t r e p r e n e u r s a n d h i g h e r r e t u r n s o n t h e i r i n v e s t m e n t s . I n s p i t e o f s e v e r a l r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s , t h e R e s e r v e B a n k o f I n d i a ( R B I ) i s v e t t o a c c e d e .

Dinesh has a strong will and ability to make things happen. His positive outlook to life and sheer determination are an example for others to follow.

lietna Mehta sustained a spinal injury as a result of a para-gliding accident in 1995 in Virar, Mumbai. Since then she has been helping other disabled persons find their wings.

A reputed management consult­ant, Ketna had to start life anew after her accident. She quickly realised that there was a serious lack of basic tacilities tor persons with disabilities. Putting her organisational and management abilities to good use, she launched 'One World - Voice of Paraplegics', a newsletter that disseminates information relevant to people with spinal injuries. The newsletter creates a forum for information exchange. It carries profiles of inspiring disabled persons, news about services and scientific innovations, international news related to disability and profiles of

organisations that make a differ­ence to the lives of people with disabilities.

Through the newsletter Ketna infuses persons with disability with a sense of purpose and instills hope and determination in them.

As a management consultant, Ketna has been raising the issue of employment through her articles in professional magazines and forums. She has been advocating innovative self-employment ideas in various seminars and conferences.

Ketna has also set up the Nina Foundation, named after her sister who passed away recently. The Foundation will offer a host of services such as emergency care, physiotherapy clinics and rehabili­tation centres. Ketna is now plan­ning a counselling centre for people with disabilities and their families.

Her educational background (Masters in Marketing Management from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies) and her professional qualification as a Certified Management Consultant are sure to make this venture a

successf11I one. Ketna not only has dreams, but also

the determination Lo work towards them.

Ketna uses a simple medium of communication - a newsletter - a powerful weapon in her effort to keep people empowered by keeping them informed about rights and issues.

One World - Voice of Paraplegics 240/11 , Shanker Sadan, First Floor Sion fE), Mumbai 400022 Maharashtra Tel.: (022) 4094319 E-mail: ketna@vsnl.com

Ketna chooses to look at the brighter side of life. Her strength lies in her never-say-die attitude which is contagious and enthuses people around her.

K e t n a M e h t a s u s t a i n e d a s p i n a l i n j u r y a s a r e s u l t o f a p a r a - g l i d i n g a c c i d e n t i n 1995 i n V i r a r , M u m b a i . S i n c e t h e n s h e h a s b e e n h e l p i n g o t h e r d i s a b l e d p e r s o n s find t h e i r w i n g s .

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

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

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

K e t n a h a s a l s o s e t u p t h e N i n a F o u n d a t i o n , n a m e d a f t e r h e r s i s t e r w h o p a s s e d a w a y r e c e n t l y . T h e F o u n d a t i o n w i l l o f f e r a h o s t o f s e r v i c e s s u c h a s e m e r g e n c y c a r e , p h y s i o t h e r a p y c l i n i c s a n d r e h a b i l i ­t a t i o n c e n t r e s . K e t n a i s n o w p l a n ­n i n g a c o u n s e l l i n g c e n t r e f o r p e o p l e w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s a n d t h e i r f a m i l i e s .

H e r e d u c a t i o n a l b a c k g r o u n d ( M a s t e r s i n M a r k e t i n g M a n a g e m e n t f r o m J a m n a l a l B a j a j I n s t i t u t e o f M a n a g e m e n t S t u d i e s ) a n d h e r p r o f e s s i o n a l q u a l i f i c a t i o n a s a C e r t i f i e d M a n a g e m e n t C o n s u l t a n t a r e s u r e t o m a k e t h i s v e n t u r e a

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

t h e d e t e r m i n a t i o n t o w o r k t o w a r d s t h e m .

Award winners

M a k i n g i n f o r m a t i o n

a c c e s s i b l e

Ketna uses a simple medium of communication - a newsletter - a powerful weapon in her effort to keep people empowered by keeping them informed about rights and issues.

One World - Voice of Paraplegics 240/11, Shanker Sadan, First Floor Sion (E), Mumbai 400022 Maharashtra Tel.: (022) 4094319 E-mail: ketna@vsnl.com

Ketna chooses to look at the brighter side of life. Her strength lies in her never-say-die attitude which is contagious and enthuses people around her.

KETNA MEHTA

Suryanarayana'.s efforts have transformed blind beggars asking for alms into people who are providing loans to disabled entrepreneurs and scholarships to needy students.

Sri Venkateswara Andha Viklangula Seva Sangham Chandra Babu Naidu Colony M erespeta, Tenali Guntur 522201 Andhra Pradesh

P. Suryanarayana lost his sight in 1955, when he was only 15 years old. But his grand vision has brought self-respect to many other visually impaired persons.

Born in the town of Tenali in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, Suryanarayana started bis educa­tion in a school for the blind in the neighbouring town. He soon realised that the education he was acquiring at the school would not get him far. Having a passion for music, be decided to learn Lile harmonium. He set out in search or a guru and survived by selling books on trains. Suryanarayana finally found a guru in the famed harmonium player and singer, Guru Vidyanagaram. Within six months, his guru decided to send the young disciple to village performances.

From his meagre earnings, Smyanarayana started providing clothes to the poor, adding one person every year (he counts 34 people he is supplying clothes to these days).

In 1983, he formed a Society for the welfare of disabled persons called 'Sri Venkateswara Andha Vikalangula Seva Sangham'. The society members are blind beggars

Suryanarayana'.s success results from his tenacity and quiet resolve. He has an all-consuming passion to help persons with disability stand on their own feet.

who are encouraged to forsake begging and take up other means of livelihood. Over the years, the Sangham has rehabilitated 20 beggars through self-employment schemes. The Society also sanc­tions pensions to persons with disability, 1provides loans under i ts self-employment scheme and awards scbolar ships and books for needy students .

Suryanarayana has also dog­gedly pursued his dream to provide houses for all the Society members. After several years of petitioning, the State government has allotted three acres or land to the Society, on which the m@mbers have now set up a resident ial colony.

From clothes for one person every year to reforming blind beggars, Suryanarayana has demonstrated what one man's resolve can achieve.

Award winners

SURYANARAYANA R e h a b i l i t a t i n g b l i n d b e g g a r s t h r o u g h s e l f - e m p l o y m e n t

Suryanarayana's efforts have transformed blind beggars asking for alms into people who are providing loans to disabled entrepreneurs and scholarships to needy students.

Sri Venkateswara Andha Viklangula Seva Sangham Chandra Babu Naidu Colony Merespeta, Tenali Guntur 522201 Andhra Pradesh

P. S u r y a n a r a y a n a l o s t h i s s i g h t i n 1 9 5 5 , w h e n h e w a s o n l y 15 y e a r s o l d . B u t h i s g r a n d v i s i o n h a s b r o u g h t s e l f - r e s p e c t t o m a n y o t h e r v i s u a l l y i m p a i r e d p e r s o n s .

B o r n i n t h e t o w n o f T e n a l i i n G u n t u r , A n d h r a P r a d e s h , S u r y a n a r a y a n a s t a r t e d h i s e d u c a ­t i o n i n a s c h o o l f o r t h e b l i n d i n t h e n e i g h b o u r i n g t o w n . H e s o o n r e a l i s e d t h a t t h e e d u c a t i o n h e w a s a c q u i r i n g a t t h e s c h o o l w o u l d not g e t h i m f a r . H a v i n g a p a s s i o n f o r m u s i c , h e d e c i d e d t o l e a r n t h e h a r m o n i u m . H e s e t o u t i n s e a r c h o f a g u r u a n d s u r v i v e d b y s e l l i n g b o o k s o n t r a i n s . S u r y a n a r a y a n a f i n a l l y f o u n d a g u r u i n t h e f a m e d h a r m o n i u m p l a y e r a n d s i n g e r , G u r u V i d y a n a g a r a m . W i t h i n s i x m o n t h s , h i s g u r u d e c i d e d t o s e n d t h e y o u n g d i s c i p l e t o v i l l a g e p e r f o r m a n c e s .

F r o m h i s m e a g r e e a r n i n g s , S u r y a n a r a y a n a s t a r t e d p r o v i d i n g c l o t h e s t o t h e p o o r , a d d i n g o n e p e r s o n e v e r y y e a r ( h e c o u n t s 3 4 p e o p l e h e i s s u p p l y i n g c l o t h e s t o t h e s e d a y s ) .

I n 1 9 8 3 , h e f o r m e d a S o c i e t y f o r t h e w e l f a r e o f d i s a b l e d p e r s o n s c a l l e d ' S r i V e n k a t e s w a r a A n d h a V i k a l a n g u l a S e v a S a n g h a m ' . T h e s o c i e t y m e m b e r s a r e b l i n d b e g g a r s

w h o a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o f o r s a k e b e g g i n g a n d t a k e u p o t h e r m e a n s o f l i v e l i h o o d . O v e r t h e y e a r s , t h e S a n g h a m h a s r e h a b i l i t a t e d 2 0 b e g g a r s t h r o u g h s e l f - e m p l o y m e n t s c h e m e s . T h e S o c i e t y a l s o s a n c ­t i o n s p e n s i o n s t o p e r s o n s w i t h d i s a b i l i t y , p r o v i d e s l o a n s u n d e r i t s s e l f - e m p l o y m e n t s c h e m e a n d a w a r d s s c h o l a r s h i p s a n d b o o k s f o r n e e d y s t u d e n t s .

Suryanarayana's success results from his tenacity and quiet resolve. He has an all-consuming passion to help persons with disability stand on their own feet.

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

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

~ an architect, P. R. Mehta's pre­occupation is with built structures. And i t is through brick and mor tar that he dreams of opening the world to millions of people with special needs.

As President of the Council of Architecture (CoA), Mehta has put accessibiHL-y in the purview of all practicing architects and students of architecture in India. CoA regu­lates Architectural Education and i ts practice in India. It is thus, ideally placed to influence design thought amongst architects. Mehta has consistent ly channelised CoA's efforts in the direction of support­ing initiatives of accessibility.

CoA has decided to under take a number of steps to ensure that built environments are accessible to people with disabilities. To cater to students with disability, all archi­tectural institutes are expected to

chalk out a time-bound programme to ensure that they are accessible within the next two years. The Council has also decided to write to all State governments, requesting t hem to make their buildings barrier-free. All Schools of Archi­tecture will provide the three per cent reservation for candidates with disabili ty, as mandated by The Disability Act. CoA is also urging all institutes of architecture to include creation of bar rier-free built environment in the curriculum.

CoA has organised short-term courses for practicing architects and a number of State-level semi­nars on Design for People with Disabilities. These courses and seminars promote the concept of accessibility and Universal Design amongst architects, engineers and town planner s.

Under Mehta's leadership, CoA has teamed with Raj iv Gandhi Foundation and NCPEDP to de­velop a blue print for making the city of Delhi completely accessible. Mehta has collaborated wiLh var ious government departments dealing with construction activities

to ensure that the blue print is supported by all

a g e n c i e s .

Mehta believes that people themselves are not disabled but it is · the environment that is disabling. He is thus working towards creating a barrier-free environment for people with disabilities.

Council of Architecture India Habitat Centre Core 6-A, First Floor Lodhi Road New Delhi 110003 Tel.: 10111 4648415, 4654172 Fax: 10111 4647746 E-mail: coa@ndf.vsnl.net.in

Mehta:S down-to-earth approach belies a fiery and enthusiastic innovator who is introducing far-reaching changes in the field of architecture.

As a n a r c h i t e c t , P . R . M e h t a ' s p r e ­o c c u p a t i o n i s w i t h b u i l t s t r u c t u r e s . A n d i t i s t h r o u g h b r i c k a n d m o r t a r t h a t h e d r e a m s o f o p e n i n g t h e w o r l d t o m i l l i o n s o f p e o p l e w i t h s p e c i a l n e e d s .

A s P r e s i d e n t o f t h e C o u n c i l o f A r c h i t e c t u r e ( C o A ) , M e h t a h a s p u t a c c e s s i b i l i t y i n t h e p u r v i e w o f a l l p r a c t i c i n g a r c h i t e c t s a n d s t u d e n t s o f a r c h i t e c t u r e i n I n d i a . C o A r e g u ­l a t e s A r c h i t e c t u r a l E d u c a t i o n a n d i t s p r a c t i c e i n I n d i a . I t i s t h u s , i d e a l l y p l a c e d t o i n f l u e n c e d e s i g n t h o u g h t a m o n g s t a r c h i t e c t s . M e h t a h a s c o n s i s t e n t l y c h a n n e l i s e d C o A ' s e f f o r t s i n t h e d i r e c t i o n o f s u p p o r t ­i n g i n i t i a t i v e s o f a c c e s s i b i l i t y .

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

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

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

U n d e r M e h t a ' s l e a d e r s h i p , C o A h a s t e a m e d w i t h R a j i v G a n d h i F o u n d a t i o n a n d N C P E D P t o d e ­v e l o p a b l u e p r i n t f o r m a k i n g t h e c i t y o f D e l h i c o m p l e t e l y a c c e s s i b l e . M e h t a h a s c o l l a b o r a t e d w i t h v a r i o u s g o v e r n m e n t d e p a r t m e n t s d e a l i n g w i t h c o n s t r u c t i o n a c t i v i t i e s

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

agencies.

Award winners

P.R. MEHTA

B u i l d i n g a n a c c e s s i b l e

e n v i r o n m e n t

Mehta believes that people themselves are not disabled but it is the environment that is disabling. He is thus working towards creating a barrier-free environment for people with disabilities.

Council of Architecture India Habitat Centre Core 6-A, First Floor Lodhi Road New Delhi 110003 Tel.: (011) 4648415, 4654172 Fax: (011) 4647746 E-mail: coa@ndf.vsnl.net.in

Mehta's down-to-earth approach belies a fiery and enthusiastic innovator who is introducing far-reaching changes in the field of architecture.

Poonam has brought to fore the talents of young adults with cerebral palsy and demonstrated that they can be self­reliant if provided the right support and direction.

Vidya Sagar I , Ranjit Road, Kottarpuram, Chennai 600085 Tamil Nadu Tel. : f044) 2200533 Fax: (044) 2353757 E-mail: enable@vsnl.com

Poonam Natarajan has taken to heart the lines of Basavanna, the Kannada poet: "Things standing shall fall but the moving shall ever live."

Her movement began in 1985 with the formation of Vidya Sagar (formerly The Spastics Society of India, Chennai). Being a PG Di­ploma holder in Special Education and a mother of a child with cere­bral palsy, Poonam had a deep insight into the special needs of such children. She started Vidya Sagar with only three students on its rolls. Today, it serves over 1000 disabled persons at any one time!

Guided by Poonam's extraordi­nary managerial capacity and commitment, Vidya Sagar is playing. an important role in gainfully employing young adults with special needs. The Vocational Rehabilitation Programme of the Centre has at least 35 young disabled boys and girls in it at any given time. The Centre explores different models of employment and its young adults are encouraged Lo choose the work according to their likes. The Open Employ­ment Unit identifies appropriate jobs in the community depending on the

Poonams single-minded dedication makes her an inspiring leader. Adopting innovative approaches to solving problems is her hallmark.

skill of each person. Young people who are not able to cope wi th the demands of open placements are encouraged to form multiple-abili ty cooperatives.

The neighbourhood initiative is a unique model in which units are run from tho'homes of four students . Vidya Sagar atso runs a supported employment project in the campus of IIT. Cbennai.

Poonam realises that education plays an important role in employ­ment. The Inclusion Cell of the Centre strengthens its relations with neighbourhood schools, exploring all opportunities for getting admissions for their dis­abled students in regular schools.

Poonam bas received the Na­tional Award from the National Centre for Cerebral Palsy in 1994 and has been awarded a British Council Scholarship in 1991. ·

Award winners

POONAM NATARAJAN E m p o w e r i n g p e o p l e w i t h c e r e b r a l p a l s y

Poonam has brought to fore the talents of young adults with cerebral palsy and demonstrated that they can be self-reliant if provided the right support and direction.

Vidya Sagar 1, Ranjit Road, Kottarpuram, Chennai 600085 Tamil Nadu Tel.: (044) 2200533 Fax: (044) 2353757 E-mail: enable@vsnl.com

P o o n a m N a t a r a j a n h a s t a k e n t o h e a r t t h e l i n e s o f B a s a v a n n a , t h e K a n n a d a p o e t : " T h i n g s s t a n d i n g s h a l l f a l l b u t t h e m o v i n g s h a l l e v e r l i v e . "

H e r m o v e m e n t b e g a n i n 1985 w i t h t h e f o r m a t i o n o f V i d y a S a g a r ( f o r m e r l y T h e S p a s t i c s S o c i e t y o f I n d i a , C h e n n a i ) . B e i n g a P G D i ­p l o m a h o l d e r i n S p e c i a l E d u c a t i o n a n d a m o t h e r o f a c h i l d w i t h c e r e ­b r a l p a l s y , P o o n a m h a d a d e e p i n s i g h t i n t o t h e s p e c i a l n e e d s o f s u c h c h i l d r e n . S h e s t a r t e d V i d y a S a g a r w i t h o n l y t h r e e s t u d e n t s o n i t s r o l l s . T o d a y , i t s e r v e s o v e r 1000 d i s a b l e d p e r s o n s a t a n y o n e t i m e !

G u i d e d b y P o o n a m ' s e x t r a o r d i ­n a r y m a n a g e r i a l c a p a c i t y a n d c o m m i t m e n t , V i d y a S a g a r i s p l a y i n g . a n i m p o r t a n t r o l e i n g a i n f u l l y e m p l o y i n g y o u n g a d u l t s w i t h s p e c i a l n e e d s . T h e V o c a t i o n 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 o f t h e C e n t r e h a s a t l e a s t 3 5 y o u n g d i s a b l e d b o y s a n d g i r l s i n i t a t a n y g i v e n t i m e . T h e C e n t r e e x p l o r e s d i f f e r e n t m o d e l s of e m p l o y m e n t a n d i t s y o u n g a d u l t s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o c h o o s e t h e w o r k a c c o r d i n g t o t h e i r l i k e s . T h e O p e n E m p l o y ­m e n t U n i t i d e n t i f i e s a p p r o p r i a t e j o b s i n t h e c o m m u n i t y d e p e n d i n g o n t h e

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

Poonam's single-minded dedication makes her an inspiring leader. Adopting innovative approaches to solving problems is her hallmark.

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

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

P o o n a m h a s r e c e i v e d t h e N a ­t i o n a l A w a r d f r o m t h e N a t i o n a l C e n t r e f o r C e r e b r a l P a l s y i n 1994 a n d h a s b e e n a w a r d e d a B r i t i s h C o u n c i l S c h o l a r s h i p i n 1 9 9 1 .

I I·

; -

S ister Rosario Lopez combines compassion with great leadership kills to ensure that disabled

persons in Meghalaya receive employment. _

Trained as a nurse in UK, she has been involved in rural develop­ment programmes for 15 years. She belongs to Missionaries of Jesus Christ, a religious group, and has dedicated herself to the empower­ment of the rural popu lation of Meghalaya.

Sister Lopez believes that development of skills leads to economic independence which, in turn, leads to personal dignity. Since the enactment of The Disabil­ity Act 1995, she has taken up the cause of employment of persons with disability and pursued it with great diligence. She has lobbied tirelessly for the three per cent reservation that the Act mandates.

She has been creating awareness about the reservation in govern­ment departments and, at the same time, preparing disabled persons to take advantage of the provision. For her part, she has employed ten persons with disabili ty - ranging from headmistress to a helper - in her own NGO, the Bethany Society. Currently, she is supporting five graduate students with disabilities who would be candidates for jobs under the reservation scheme.

The Bethany Society run by Sister Lopez imparts training to illiterate adult disabled persons to help them set up micro-enterprises. The training ranges from organic farming, setting up nurseries, food processing, making cane and bamboo products to knitting and tailoring. More than 50 persons with disability have been trained under this programme.

She is on the Governing Body of the Society for the Welfare of the Disabled, Shillong. In 2001, she received the P. A. Togan Sangma Award for social service from the government of Meghalaya for 30

years of selfless service rendered to the rural

disabled people of Meghalaya.

Sister Lopez is taking the message of equal opportunities tb the interiors of Meghalaya. She is ensuring that the provisions of The Disability Act 1995 are implemented in good faith.

Bethany Society Arai Mile, New Tura W. Garo Hills 794 101 Meghalaya Tel.: (03651) 42396, 24344 Fax: (0364) 227705 E-mail: catshillong@hotmail.com

Sister Rosario'.s persistence is infectious. She has a tremendous capacity to inspire people and motivate them to share her dreams.

Award winners S i s t e r R o s a r i o L o p e z c o m b i n e s

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

T r a i n e d a s a n u r s e i n U K , s h e h a s b e e n i n v o l v e d i n r u r a l d e v e l o p ­m e n t p r o g r a m m e s f o r 15 y e a r s . S h e b e l o n g s t o M i s s i o n a r i e s o f J e s u s C h r i s t , a r e l i g i o u s g r o u p , a n d h a s d e d i c a t e d h e r s e l f t o t h e e m p o w e r ­m e n t o f t h e r u r a l p o p u l a t i o n o f M e g h a l a y a .

S i s t e r L o p e z b e l i e v e s t h a t d e v e l o p m e n t o f s k i l l s l e a d s t o e c o n o m i c i n d e p e n d e n c e w h i c h , i n t u r n , l e a d s t o p e r s o n a l d i g n i t y . S i n c e t h e e n a c t m e n t o f T h e D i s a b i l ­i t y A c t 1 9 9 5 , s h e h a s t a k e n u p t h e c a u s e o f e m p l o y m e n t o f p e r s o n s w i t h d i s a b i l i t y a n d p u r s u e d i t w i t h g r e a t d i l i g e n c e . S h e h a s l o b b i e d t i r e l e s s l y f o r t h e t h r e e p e r c e n t r e s e r v a t i o n t h a t t h e A c t m a n d a t e s .

S h e h a s b e e n c r e a t i n g a w a r e n e s s a b o u t t h e r e s e r v a t i o n i n g o v e r n ­m e n t d e p a r t m e n t s a n d , a t t h e s a m e t i m e , p r e p a r i n g d i s a b l e d p e r s o n s t o t a k e a d v a n t a g e o f t h e p r o v i s i o n . F o r h e r p a r t , s h e h a s e m p l o y e d t e n p e r s o n s w i t h d i s a b i l i t y - r a n g i n g f r o m h e a d m i s t r e s s t o a h e l p e r - i n h e r o w n N G O , t h e B e t h a n y S o c i e t y . C u r r e n t l y , s h e i s s u p p o r t i n g f i v e g r a d u a t e s t u d e n t s w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s w h o w o u l d b e c a n d i d a t e s f o r j o b s u n d e r t h e r e s e r v a t i o n s c h e m e .

T h e B e t h a n y S o c i e t y r u n b y S i s t e r L o p e z i m p a r t s t r a i n i n g t o i l l i t e r a t e a d u l t d i s a b l e d p e r s o n s t o h e l p t h e m s e t u p m i c r o - e n t e r p r i s e s . T h e t r a i n i n g r a n g e s f r o m o r g a n i c f a r m i n g , s e t t i n g u p n u r s e r i e s , f o o d p r o c e s s i n g , m a k i n g c a n e a n d b a m b o o p r o d u c t s t o k n i t t i n g a n d t a i l o r i n g . M o r e t h a n 5 0 p e r s o n s w i t h d i s a b i l i t y h a v e b e e n t r a i n e d u n d e r t h i s p r o g r a m m e .

S h e i s o n t h e G o v e r n i n g B o d y o f t h e S o c i e t y f o r t h e W e l f a r e o f t h e D i s a b l e d , S h i l l o n g . I n 2 0 0 1 , s h e r e c e i v e d t h e P . A . T o g a n S a n g m a A w a r d f o r s o c i a l s e r v i c e f r o m t h e g o v e r n m e n t o f M e g h a l a y a f o r 3 0

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

d i s a b l e d p e o p l e o f M e g h a l a y a .

SISTER ROSARIO LOPEZ

E m p o w e r i n g d i s a b l e d

p e r s o n s i n r u r a l a r e a s

Sister Lopez is taking the message of equal opportunities to the interiors of Meghalaya. She is ensuring that the provisions of The Disability Act 1995 are implemented in good faith.

Bethany Society Arai Mile, New Tura W. Garo Hills 794101 Meghalaya Tel.: (03651) 42396, 24344 Fax: (0364) 227705 E-mail: catshillong@hotmail.com

Sister Rosarios persistence is infectious. She has a tremendous capacity to inspire people and motivate them to share her dreams.

NTPC has re-aligned its policies to make its workplace more accessible and disabled­friendly. A massive recruitment drive has resulted in the employment of more than a hundred persons with disability.

National Thermal Power Corporation SCOPE Complex, Core 7 7, Institutional Area, Lodi Road New Delhi 11 0003 Tel.: /011 I 4360044 Fax: (011) 4363050 E-mail: cpjain@ntpc.co.in

No one needs an introduction Lo the National Thermal Power Corpo­ration (NTPC). Since 1975. we have all been li terally seeing by their light!

Though NTPC's main business is developing thermal power. it is heartening to note that they have also been deeply committed to· empowering marginalised sections of society. NTPC has always had a large social heart, but today we talk about its specific commitment to the cause of disabled persons.

ln 2001 , NTPC undertook a comprehensive review of its HR requirements to identify jobs for persons with disabilit ies. As a result, it identified 10 categories of posts for employment of persons · with disability in Group A and B. 40 categories in Group C and 6 catego­ries in Group D.

The review was followed up with

a recruitment drive in 2001 -02, which resulted in the employing of 173 persons with disability. The drive began with advertisements in all major dailies of the coun try. ln addition. individual projects re­leased their advertisements in local media. Besides the advertisements,

Award winners

NATIONAL THERMAL POWER CORPORATION O p e n i n g i t s d o o r s t o p e o p l e w i t h d i s a b i l i t y

-

NTPC has re-aligned its policies to make its workplace more accessible and disabled-friendly. A massive recruitment drive has resulted in the employment of more than a hundred persons with disability.

National Thermal Power Corporation SCOPE Complex, Core 7 7, Institutional Area, Lodi Road New Delhi 110003 Tel.: (011) 4360044 Fax: (O11) 4363050 E-mail: cpjain@ntpc.co.in

No o n e n e e d s a n i n t r o d u c t i o n t o t h e N a t i o n a l T h e r m a l P o w e r C o r p o ­r a t i o n ( N T P C ) . S i n c e 1 9 7 5 , w e h a v e a l l b e e n l i t e r a l l y s e e i n g b y t h e i r l i g h t !

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

I n 2 0 0 1 , N T P C u n d e r t o o k a c o m p r e h e n s i v e r e v i e w o f i t s HR r e q u i r e m e n t s t o i d e n t i f y j o b s f o r p e r s o n s w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s . A s a r e s u l t , i t i d e n t i f i e d 10 c a t e g o r i e s o f p o s t s f o r e m p l o y m e n t o f p e r s o n s w i t h d i s a b i l i t y i n G r o u p A a n d B , 4 0 c a t e g o r i e s i n G r o u p C a n d 6 c a t e g o ­r i e s i n G r o u p D .

T h e r e v i e w w a s f o l l o w e d u p w i t h

a r e c r u i t m e n t d r i v e i n 2 0 0 1 - 0 2 , w h i c h r e s u l t e d i n t h e e m p l o y i n g o f 173 p e r s o n s w i t h d i s a b i l i t y . T h e d r i v e b e g a n w i t h a d v e r t i s e m e n t s i n a l l m a j o r d a i l i e s o f t h e c o u n t r y . I n a d d i t i o n , i n d i v i d u a l p r o j e c t s r e ­l e a s e d t h e i r a d v e r t i s e m e n t s i n l o c a l m e d i a . B e s i d e s t h e a d v e r t i s e m e n t s ,

detailed notifications of the vacan­cies were sent to tile Special Employment Exchanges, Vocational Rehabilitation Centres and National Institutes of Disabilities.

As a result, NTPC received about 40,000 applications - a first in Indian corporate history. NTPC has been holding interviews in its projects with due care to ensure that all persons with disabili ty carry back memories of having been treated equitably. So far, 82 persons with disability have been selected for Group C and D posts, while another 30 are expected to join in the coming months.

NTPC is also looking at its physical environments to ensure access for its disabled employees. Special ramps with railings have been constructed for improved access to buildings. Toilets with proper signages are also being installed. The CPWD guidelines for

NTPC is highly aware of its social responsibilities. It is attempting to be a flag bearer in the cause of enhanced employment opportunities for persons with disability.

accessible buildings have been circulated to all NTPC projects, and some units have already taken a lead in implementing the guide­lines. At the Corporate Centre in New Delhi. exclusive parking has

been provided for persons with disability with direct access from the parking lot to the building.

Adopting a holistic approach, NTPC provides adequate training to Project Affected Persons who have acquired a disability at work. Under its income generat­ing schemes, it provides disabled persons with training, support In terms of seed money and liaison with Government departments to set up small businesses. NTPC also provides accommodation to voluntary agencies that work for

1the disabled. Centre for Upliftment of Handicapped and Orphans, Utkalmani Gopabandhu Blind Relief Society and Council of Existential Education are three agencies that have received accommoda­tion from NTPC. A school for hearing and speech impaired

children and mentally challenged children is being run by the Ladies Club in Vindhyanchal. NTPC has also provided financial assistance to organisations in the disability sector.

Recently the Corporate Centre has decided to purchase all its stationery such as files, folders, envelopes and pads from agencies of disabled persons. Depending on the success of this scheme, all NTPC projects are likely to follow suit.

NTPC bas clearly been setting examples worth emulating by other public and private sector compa­nies. NTPC not only produces electricity for the nation; it also illuminates the path for other corporate citizens.

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

A s a r e s u l t , N T P C r e c e i v e d a b o u t 4 0 , 0 0 0 a p p l i c a t i o n s - a f i r s t i n I n d i a n c o r p o r a t e h i s t o r y . N T P C h a s b e e n h o l d i n g i n t e r v i e w s i n i t s p r o j e c t s w i t h d u e c a r e t o e n s u r e t h a t a l l p e r s o n s w i t h d i s a b i l i t y c a r r y b a c k m e m o r i e s o f h a v i n g b e e n t r e a t e d e q u i t a b l y . S o f a r , 8 2 p e r s o n s w i t h d i s a b i l i t y h a v e b e e n s e l e c t e d f o r G r o u p C a n d D p o s t s , w h i l e a n o t h e r 3 0 a r e e x p e c t e d t o j o i n i n t h e c o m i n g m o n t h s .

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

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

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

NTPC is highly aware of its social responsibilities. It is attempting to be a flag bearer in the cause of enhanced employment opportunities for persons with disability.

A d o p t i n g a h o l i s t i c a p p r o a c h , N T P C p r o v i d e s a d e q u a t e t r a i n i n g t o P r o j e c t A f f e c t e d P e r s o n s w h o h a v e a c q u i r e d a d i s a b i l i t y a t w o r k . U n d e r i t s i n c o m e g e n e r a t ­i n g s c h e m e s , i t p r o v i d e s d i s a b l e d p e r s o n s w i t h t r a i n i n g , s u p p o r t i n t e r m s o f s e e d m o n e y a n d l i a i s o n w i t h G o v e r n m e n t d e p a r t m e n t s t o s e t u p s m a l l b u s i n e s s e s . N T P C a l s o p r o v i d e s a c c o m m o d a t i o n t o v o l u n t a r y a g e n c i e s t h a t w o r k f o r

t h e d i s a b l e d . C e n t r e f o r U p l i f t m e n t o f H a n d i c a p p e d a n d O r p h a n s , U t k a l m a n i G o p a b a n d h u B l i n d R e l i e f S o c i e t y a n d C o u n c i l o f E x i s t e n t i a l E d u c a t i o n a r e t h r e e a g e n c i e s t h a t h a v e r e c e i v e d a c c o m m o d a ­t i o n f r o m N T P C . A s c h o o l f o r h e a r i n g a n d s p e e c h i m p a i r e d

c h i l d r e n a n d m e n t a l l y c h a l l e n g e d c h i l d r e n i s b e i n g r u n b y t h e L a d i e s C l u b i n V i n d h y a n c h a l . N T P C h a s a l s o p r o v i d e d f i n a n c i a l a s s i s t a n c e t o o r g a n i s a t i o n s i n t h e d i s a b i l i t y s e c t o r .

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

N T P C h a s c l e a r l y b e e n s e t t i n g e x a m p l e s w o r t h e m u l a t i n g b y o t h e r p u b l i c a n d p r i v a t e s e c t o r c o m p a ­n i e s . N T P C n o t o n l y p r o d u c e s e l e c t r i c i t y f o r t h e n a t i o n ; i t a l s o i l l u m i n a t e s t h e p a t h f o r o t h e r c o r p o r a t e c i t i z e n s .

Sakthi Trading Company has integrated disabled persons into their corporate vision. More than one-fifth of its employees are persons with disabilities.

Sakthi Trading Company 6, Mamarathupalayam Erode 638004 Tamil Nadu Tel.: (0424) 533601 Fax: (0424) 533607 E-mail: sakthimasala@vsnl.:com

S akthi Trading Company is familiar to most of us through its brand of Sakthi Masalas. The company follows HR policies that have the right ingredients for a successfu l and responsible com­pany.

The company was founded by P. C. Duraisamy 27 years ago with a meagre investment of Rs 10,000. Today, it generates a turnover of Rs 331 million. Behind the financial success lies a story of great com­mitment to the cause of persons with disability.

Of the 500-strong workforce of Sakthi Trading Company, an impres­sive 103 are disabled persons. '-'''hat's more, the company employs people with all disabilities: cur­rently it has 35 persons wiLh visual impairments, 10 with hearing

Award winners

SAKTHI TRADING COMPANY F o c u s i n g o n a b i l i t i e s

Sakthi Trading Company has integrated disabled persons into their corporate vision. More than one-fifth of its employees are persons with disabilities.

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

T h e c o m p a n y w a s f o u n d e d b y P . C. D u r a i s a m y 2 7 y e a r s a g o w i t h a m e a g r e i n v e s t m e n t o f R s 1 0 , 0 0 0 . T o d a y , i t g e n e r a t e s a t u r n o v e r o f R s 331 m i l l i o n . B e h i n d t h e f i n a n c i a l s u c c e s s l i e s a s t o r y o f g r e a t c o m ­m i t m e n t t o t h e c a u s e o f p e r s o n s w i t h d i s a b i l i t y .

O f t h e 5 0 0 - s t r o n g w o r k f o r c e o f S a k t h i T r a d i n g C o m p a n y , a n i m p r e s ­s i v e 103 a r e d i s a b l e d p e r s o n s . W h a t ' s m o r e , t h e c o m p a n y e m p l o y s p e o p l e w i t h a l l d i s a b i l i t i e s : c u r ­r e n t l y i t h a s 35 p e r s o n s w i t h v i s u a l i m p a i r m e n t s , 10 w i t h h e a r i n g

Sakthi Trading Company 6, Mamarathupalayam Erode 638004 Tamil Nadu Tel.: (0424) 533601 Fax: (0424) 533607 E-mail: sakthimasala@vsnl.com

impairments: 50 orthopaedical ly disabled and 8 persons with mental disabilities.

Sakthi Trading Company is acutely aware of the ground reali­ties for disabled persons seeking employment. Their culture reflects the concern and devotion to prin­ciples of equal opportunity. The work areas of the company are accessible through ramps and railings. The toilets have spaces specially designed ror people with disability. Physiotherapy and electrotherapy are available for employees and children with disabili ties. They call it "Special arrangements for special people" .

The work tias been divided to suit persons with specific disabili­ues. While people with orthopaedic impairment are responsible for packaging, visually impaired persons are given jobs that utilise their superior tacti le functions such as sorting and peeling. Persons with mental disability are given routine mechanical jobs that do not

Sakthi Trading Company endeavours to impart a high quality of life to people with disability. Their premise is simple - such persons too have a heart and mind.

require complex decision-making. The goal is to make all disabled

people independent and impar t a sense of pr ide in them. The result is visible in the beaming faces or its employees.

Sakthi Trading Company has endured harclsllips and harass­ments in ils unbending commitment to correct corporate behaviour. Today. it is poised to play a leading role in the global market for spices. And in the wake of its success ride 'special people' of a very special organisation.

i m p a i r m e n t s , 5 0 o r t h o p a e d i c a l l y d i s a b l e d a n d 8 p e r s o n s w i t h m e n t a l d i s a b i l i t i e s .

S a k t h i T r a d i n g C o m p a n y i s a c u t e l y a w a r e o f t h e g r o u n d r e a l i ­t i e s f o r d i s a b l e d p e r s o n s s e e k i n g e m p l o y m e n t . T h e i r c u l t u r e r e f l e c t s t h e c o n c e r n a n d d e v o t i o n t o p r i n ­c i p l e s o f e q u a l o p p o r t u n i t y . T h e w o r k a r e a s o f t h e c o m p a n y a r e a c c e s s i b l e t h r o u g h r a m p s a n d r a i l i n g s . T h e t o i l e t s h a v e s p a c e s s p e c i a l l y d e s i g n e d f o r p e o p l e w i t h d i s a b i l i t y . P h y s i o t h e r a p y a n d e l e c t r o t h e r a p y a r e a v a i l a b l e f o r e m p l o y e e s a n d c h i l d r e n w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s . T h e y c a l l i t " S p e c i a l a r r a n g e m e n t s f o r s p e c i a l p e o p l e " .

T h e w o r k h a s b e e n d i v i d e d t o s u i t p e r s o n s w i t h s p e c i f i c d i s a b i l i ­t i e s . W h i l e p e o p l e w i t h o r t h o p a e d i c i m p a i r m e n t a r e r e s p o n s i b l e f o r p a c k a g i n g , v i s u a l l y i m p a i r e d p e r s o n s a r e g i v e n j o b s t h a t u t i l i s e t h e i r s u p e r i o r t a c t i l e f u n c t i o n s s u c h a s s o r t i n g a n d p e e l i n g . P e r s o n s w i t h m e n t a l d i s a b i l i t y a r e g i v e n r o u t i n e m e c h a n i c a l j o b s t h a t d o not

r e q u i r e c o m p l e x d e c i s i o n - m a k i n g .

Sakthi Trading Company endeavours to impart a high quality of life to people with disability. Their premise is simple - such persons too have a heart and mind.

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

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

Silence has imaginatively utilised the strengths of disabled persons to provide them with jobs best suited to their particular ability. Eighty-two per cent of its workforce consists of disabled people.

Silence 2/I A Monohorpukur 2nd Lane Kolkatta 700029 West Bengal Tel.: (033) 4743761 Fax: (033) 4745962 E-mail: silence@cal.vsnl.net.in

S nently, in a workshop in the Kasba Industrial Estate of Kolkatta, an organisation is undertaking seminal work.

Registered as a Society in 1979, Silence has been working in the field of socio-economic rehabilita­tion of persons with hearing, visual and physical impairments. Silence's approach is to train persons according to their aptitudes. The disciplines range from computer data entry, hardware assembly including its maintenance, and various arts and crafts such as making perfumed candles, hand painted greeting cards, jewellery, papier mache articles and incense sticks. Their training programmes are recognised by the Jadavpur University and the Technical Educa­tion Department of West Bengal.

Award winners

SILENCE

M a k i n g t h e m o s t o f t a l e n t s

Silence has imaginatively utilised the strengths of disabled persons to provide them with jobs best suited to their particular ability. Eighty-two per cent of its workforce consists of disabled people.

S i l e n c e

2/1A M o n o h o r p u k u r 2 n d L a n e K o l k a t t a 7 0 0 0 2 9 W e s t B e n g a l

Te l . : ( 0 3 3 ) 4 7 4 3 7 6 1 F a x : ( 0 3 3 ) 4 7 4 5 9 6 2

E - m a i l : s i l e n c e @ c a l . v s n l . n e t . i n

S i l e n t l y , i n a w o r k s h o p i n t h e K a s b a I n d u s t r i a l E s t a t e o f K o l k a t t a , a n o r g a n i s a t i o n i s u n d e r t a k i n g s e m i n a l w o r k .

R e g i s t e r e d a s a S o c i e t y i n 1 9 7 9 , S i l e n c e h a s b e e n w o r k i n g i n t h e f i e l d o f s o c i o - e c o n o m i c r e h a b i l i t a ­t i o n o f p e r s o n s w i t h h e a r i n g , v i s u a l a n d p h y s i c a l i m p a i r m e n t s . S i l e n c e ' s a p p r o a c h i s t o t r a i n p e r s o n s a c c o r d i n g t o t h e i r a p t i t u d e s . T h e d i s c i p l i n e s r a n g e f r o m c o m p u t e r d a t a e n t r y , h a r d w a r e a s s e m b l y i n c l u d i n g i t s m a i n t e n a n c e , a n d v a r i o u s a r t s a n d c r a f t s s u c h a s m a k i n g p e r f u m e d c a n d l e s , h a n d p a i n t e d g r e e t i n g c a r d s , j e w e l l e r y , p a p i e r m a c h e a r t i c l e s a n d i n c e n s e s t i c k s . T h e i r t r a i n i n g p r o g r a m m e s a r e r e c o g n i s e d b y t h e J a d a v p u r U n i v e r s i t y a n d t h e T e c h n i c a l E d u c a ­t i o n D e p a r t m e n t o f W e s t B e n g a l .

Of the 82 employees at Silence, 67 are persons with disability- an impressive 82 per cent of the work force. Of these, 48 are persons with hearing impairment. 14 with ortho­paedic impairment, two with visual impairment and three with mental disability. The workshop's average annual turnover is Rs 80 lakh which comes l'rom selling products made by disabled people in the Indian as well as overseas

Silence follows a model of socio-economic rehabilitation that truly empowers persons with disability - providing them with economic benefits and creative satisfaction.

markets. The workers receive a regular salary with Provident Fund and medical benefits. Silence plans to promote several such production units. It intends involving reputed placement services to ensure a high degree of place­ments for their trainees.

Silence is a member of the International Federation of Alterna­tive Trading (IFAT) and the Export Promotion Council of the Govern­ment of India. It has combined smart business sense with a social commitment to deliver a remark­able model of economic and social rehabilitation.

I

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I Silence follows a model of socio-economic rehabilitation that truly empowers persons with disability - providing them with economic benefits and creative satisfaction.

O f t h e 8 2 e m p l o y e e s a t S i l e n c e , 6 7 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 n i m p r e s s i v e 8 2 p e r c e n t o f t h e w o r k f o r c e . O f t h e s e , 4 8 a r e p e r s o n s w i t h h e a r i n g i m p a i r m e n t , 14 w i t h o r t h o ­p a e d i c i m p a i r m e n t t w o w i t h v i s u a l i m p a i r m e n t a n d t h r e e w i t h m e n t a l d i s a b i l i t y . T h e w o r k s h o p ' s a v e r a g e a n n u a l t u r n o v e r i s R s 8 0 l a k h w h i c h c o m e s f r o m s e l l i n g p r o d u c t s m a d e b y d i s a b l e d p e o p l e i n t h e I n d i a n a s w e l l a s o v e r s e a s

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

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

* The disabled.fiiendly corporate lo,:o

The disabled-friendly company was a rare entity just, a

few years ago. E.'ven companies that hired persons with

disability would think of it as their good deed for the day. In

the four years since the Helen Keller A,,ards were insti­

tuted, we nave witnessed a transformation in the Indian

corporate world vis.a-vis disability. There is a greater

awar.eness of the rights of persons with disabiHLy. As a

result. there is greater acceptance - one could even say

eagerness - towards hiring persons with disability.

This logo, conceived in 1999, symbolises a partnership between responsible corporate citi­

zens and talented persons with. disability. The handshake, though a regular gesture, represents equality. The corporate citizen needs to be pro-active in developing hiring policies that are not

discriminatory towards disabled people, providing a work emironmcnt that is accessible, and

recognising the abilities of persons who have a disability. On the other hand, the person with

disability brings to the partnership talent. high work-ethics and a mysterious quality whjcb

disabled persons are endowed \Vith - one we call inner strength.

The backdrop of t,he logo is the yin and yang which symbolises the balance he tween opposing forces of life. In our context, it also signifies a flexibility of meeting points which differ with regards to various disabilities and corporate cultures.

The logo uses the international colours reprcsent1ng disability: blue and yellow.

The disabled-friendly corporate logo

The disabled-friendly company was a rare entity just a few years ago. Even companies that hired persons with disability would think of it as their good deed for the day. In the four years since the Helen Keller Awards were insti­tuted, we have witnessed a transformation in the Indian corporate world vis-à-vis disability. There is a greater a w a r e n e s s o f the r i g h t s o f p e r s o n s with d i s a b i l i t y . As a

result, there is greater acceptance - one could even say e a g e r n e s s - t o w a r d s h i r i n g p e r s o n s w i t h d i s a b i l i t y .

T h i s l o g o , c o n c e i v e d i n 1999, s y m b o l i s e s a p a r t n e r s h i p b e t w e e n 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 a n d t a l e n t e d p e r s o n s w i t h d i s a b i l i t y T h e h a n d s h a k e , t h o u g h a r e g u l a r g e s t u r e , r e p r e s e n t s

e q u a l i t y . T h e c o r p o r a t e c i t i z e n n e e d s t o b e p r o - a c t i v e i n d e v e l o p i n g h i r i n g p o l i c i e s t h a t a r e n o t

discriminatory towards disabled people, providing a work environment that is accessible, and recognising the abilities of persons who have a disability. On the other hand, the person with disability brings to the partnership talent, high work-ethics and a mysterious quality which disabled persons are endowed with - one we call inner strength.

The backdrop of the logo is the yin and yang which symbolises the balance between opposing f o r c e s o f l i f e . I n o u r c o n t e x t , it a l s o s i g n i f i e s a f l e x i b i l i t y o f m e e t i n g p o i n t s w h i c h d i f f e r w i t h

regards to various disabilities and corporate cultures.

T h e l o g o u s e s t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o l o u r s r e p r e s e n t i n g d i s a b i l i t y : b i n e a n d y e l l o w .

I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; I will not refuse to do something I can do. -Helen Keller

I

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I a m o n l y o n e ; b u t S t i l l I am one. I c a n n o t d o e v e r y t h i n g , b u t s t i l l I c a n d o s o m e t h i n g ; I w i l l n o t r e f u s e t o d o s o m e t h i n g I c a n d o . H e l e n K e l l e r

National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People A-77, South Extension Part II, New Delhi 110049 Tel.: (Oil) 6265647, 6265648 Fax: (011) 6265649 E-mail: ncpedp@vsnl.com

SPLASH!