Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Jun 18: It was a celebration of human spirit and indomitable courage to overcome all odds, as seven differently-abled achievers from various walks of life were honoured with the Swabhiman Awards by former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde.

The awards, instituted by Daijiworld Weekly to recognize the achievements of the differently-abled in society, were presented during the Weekly's fifth anniversary celebrations at Town Hall here on Wednesday June 18.

The awardees were Anjana Devi of Ujire, Calistus D’Sa, Mangalore, Hameed and Lathif Brothers, Ujire, Jagadish Poojary, Adyar Padavu, Neha Rai, Puttur, and Sabita Monis, Beltangady. Each of them, despite being differently-abled, has achieved tremendous success and made vast contributions to society in unique ways. They were presented with shawls, citations and cash prize of Rs 25,000 each by the dignitaries present on the dais, namely chief gues Justice Hegde, guests of honour Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi, chancellor, Yenepoya University, NRI entrepreneur and philanthropist Leo Rodrigues, and V P Lobo, chairman, T3 Urban Developers. Before each award presentation, a short video was played highlighting the life and achievements of the awardee.

Addressing the gathering after presenting the awards, Justice Santosh Hegde said, "This is an extremely unique function. I have attended so many functions over the years, but none of them as touching as this one. I have noticed achievements of a large number of people, but nothing compared to these achievers (awardees). There are many yet to be recognised, and I hope other organizations follow the path set by Daijiworld Weekly.

"Daijiworld as a magazine and as digital media is doing a wonderful job in keeping Indians as well as those abroad up-to-date. I wish you all the best," he added.

Stressing on government's and society's responsibility towards the differently-abled, he said, "As a Lokayukta, I changed a lot because of the opportunities that came my way. As a Supreme Court judge, I was like a frog in the well, until I came to Lokayukta. There are departments in the goverment to look after the welfare of the differently-abled, but the administration is there to help those administrating themselves. We have to look into deficiencies and raise our voice.

"We as people are losing our humanism, there is lack of humanism that doesn't let us recognise the achievements of those who do not have the same opportunities as we have. It is not about monetary success. Those who have suffered and overcome that suffering, they have to be recognised. All awards given by the government are nothing in comparison to the achievements of these people who in spite of suffering have come this far. They are perfect human beings, not us," he said.

"Contentment and satisfaction are a rarity in our society which recognizes only wealth and power, and not true achievements. After hearing about these achievers, I ask myself, what is it that I have achieved - it is nothing. Yet, how many of them (differently-abled achievers) are recognized? I feel guilty that I have not done anything by myself, and I hope I get opportunities to do something concrete and meaningful for them," he added.

He further said, "Do we belong to species called human? No, we need to become human first. We are born as homo sapiens but we become humans later only if we acquire humanism. It requires something special to acquire humanism."

He quoted a Kannada poem that stressed on the need for people to change themselves, and said that one must guard against excessive wish for material comforts.

"The differently-abled do not need our sympathy, they need opportunities. As individuals we not may be able give the opportunities, but as a group we can. The most important responsibility lies with the government. What more has the government done than daijiworld for the differently-abled? Grant of an award may not be much, but it sends a message to other differently-abled that can too can stand on their own. I hope whichever government is in power, it will do more than just lip service and come down to providing opportunities to these people. Daijiworld Weekly has shown the way, I hope some authority will notice and do more," Justice Hegde said.

Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi in his addresses lauded and congratulated Daijiworld for achieving great strides in media since its inception 14 years ago and said, "Daijiworld has become a household name today. Walter Nandalike has been instrumental in linking the world. Unity is our strength and the efforts of Daijiworld in this direction are worthy of applause.

"The presentation of Swabhiman Awards today to honour the differently-abled achievers is a unique and exemplary gesture. I salute them for this noble initiative, and pray that they get more strength and fortitude to carry on their work," he added.

Leo Rodrigues congratulated the awardees and stressed on the need for society to become more sensitive towards the differently-abled. "I am honoured to be present among these achievers, and I pray that god blesses them with abundant strength to succeed in their endeavours. Despite being differently-abled, they have attained their goals. Our society should provide opportunities to them - this is what is most important.

"We are all made of the image of god, even those with special needs. Each one of us on earth comes with a special puspose. They are unique in their own ways - some of them cannot write but they try their best with legs; some are visually impaired and some cannot speak or do not understand whats happening around them. We as responsible people must be patient and not treat them as if they are not one of us. They all learn differntly at different speeds. We have to provide them easy access - incorporate ramps in buldings and public places and educational institutions and even in cinemas to give easy access to wheelchairs. I hope our society looks into this," he said.

"They are special achievers who have excelled in their fields. They have a strong support system in their families and I must congratulate them for giving them the confidence to achieve success. We must take time off to talk to the differently-abled - it will mean a world to them and bring smiles on their faces," he added.

V P Lobo in his address narrated the story of a boy who had only one hand and yet managed to learn wrestling and win a tournament too because of his teacher's focussed training. "They are specially-abled people. Take for example Calistus D'Sa, who is visually impaired. Can we walk even ten steps with our eyes closed? That requires a special ability, and the day we realise this truth, our respect for them will go up. It is unfortunate that our society doesn't have facilities for them.

"It is a humble and noble way to celebrate an anniversary. We see grand celebrations of anniversaries now and then, but it is much more honourable to do something like this. The differently-abled are blessed, and blessed are the people who are loooking after them, and blessed are those who recognize and award them - daijiworld is blessed," he said.

"We have people talking of women's rights and rights of workers and so on, but I have not come across anyone advocating the rights of the disabled. It is time we talk and do something for them. In foreign countries, the differently-abled have special privileges in public, but here we have no facilites for them. I call upon the state and the central governments to provde them facilities and opportunites," he added.

On the occasion, chief guest Santosh Hegde released copies of the newly-designed Daijiworld Weekly in handy size.

Calistus D'Sa spoke on behalf of the awardees and thanked the organizers for bestowing the Swabhiman Awards on them "Many ask me how it is possible that I achieve success being differently-abled. We achieve success due to the indomitable human spirit - the same words were told by Hellen Keller in 1934. All of us do different things in our fields with that indomitable spirit," he said.

He further said that Roman and Catherine Lobo School for the Blind, of which he is the principal, had five students in SSLC this year and all of them secured above 85 percent, with one topping the state in the category of differently-abled. Despite that, he said four of them were rejected seats in colleges, but one college welcomed a girl student with open arms. "This is what is called attitude. I request all of you to give them opportunity and not charity. You will never have to look back, and neither would we," he said.

Earlier in the programme, William Pais, the chief coordinator of the jury explained the purpose of presenting as the Swabhiman Awards as not only recognizing the achievements of the differently-abled but also waking up the government towards their cause.

At the beginning, students of Saanidhya Residential School presented a colourful and meaningful story through a dance-cum-skit. Students of Bharatanjali performed the welcome dance.

Hemacharya, editor-in-chief of Daijiworld Weekly welcomed the gathering.

Another highlight of the programme was the special welcome rendered to chief guest Justice Santosh Hegde by Guinness record holder Puttur Suresh Nayak, who suffers from Down Syndrome, with magic tricks. His short yet entertaining performance won the hearts of the audience and the guests.

The award jury members - Basti Vaman Shenoy, a social activist and president of World Konkani Center, Ronald Anil Fernandes, bureau chief of Deccan Herald English daily, Vasant Kumar Shetty, founder and principal of Saanidhya Residential School for Special Children and Shahanaz M, editor of Anupama magazine for women - were felicitated by Hemacharya.

Walter Nandalike, founder and MD of Daijiworld presented mementoes to sponsors. Saanidhya team, Bharatanjali and Puttur Suresh Nayak too were honoured. Jochim Pinto was specially thanked and presented with a memento for designing the new look of Daijiworld Weekly.

The entire programme was wonderfully conducted by ace compere Leslie Rego, who also read out the citations of the award winners.

Melvyn Rodrigues, director of operations, Daijiworld, proposed the vote of thanks.

Rohan Monteiro, Titus Noronha, Fr Cyprian and many others were present.