Pics: Ramesh Pandith

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Oct 10: ‘Daijiworld Weekly’, for the third season, has proudly declared the names of seven achievers who will receive ‘Swabhiman Awards 2017.’ The awards will be presented in a ceremony on Saturday, October 14 at 4 pm at the Town Hall.

Addressing mediapersons at Press Club here on Tuesday, October 10, Hemacharya, editor-in-chief of Daijiworld Weekly said, “Daijiworld Weekly, this year, has instituted an award for an institution that strives for the welfare and rehabilitation of marginally deprived children. ‘Snehadeep’ Residential School for HIV infected girls managed by Tabassum at Bejai-Kapikad has been selected for this prestigious award. The award contains a citation and a cash reward of Rs 50,000 sponsored by the prestigious Karnataka Bank under its CSR initiative.”

“Other award recipients are P Krishna Bhat from Kavoor, Celestine Mabel Rodrigues from Vitla, Arjun Adyanthaya from Kodialbailguttu, Pramila Joyce Pinto from Vamanjoor Ashley D’Souza from St Agnes Special School in Bendur and Prajwal Lobo of Saanidya School in Shaktinagar. They will receive the award with a citation and a cash reward of Rs 25,000 each,” he informed.

“Out of nominations received by ‘Daijiworld Weekly’, as many as 15 names were shortlisted by the editorial committee scrutinized by a grand jury headed by Basti Vaman Shenoy, founder president, World Konkani Center, Dr Ronald Anil Fernandes, city bureau chief, Deccan Herald and president of Press Club, Mangaluru, Shahanaz M, editor of Anupama Magazine for Women, Dr Lavina Noronha, director, Ave Maria Palliative Care and Kairunnisa Sayyed of Beary Institutions. William Pais of Orchid Art Gallery is the chief coordinator of the selection committee,” he stated.

“Fr Richard Coelho, director, Fr Muller Charitable Institutions, will be the chief guest on the occasion. He will be joined by Mahabaleshwar M S MD/CEO Karnataka Bank, Thumbay Moideen, president, Thumbay Group and Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UAE, Gilbert Baptist, MD, Malaika Group, Kadandale Suresh Bhandary, president, Bhandary Mahamandal, Mumbai and B M Farooq, MD, Fiza Group, Bengaluru,” he added.

“Former vice chancellor, MAHE University Padma Bhushan Dr B M Hegde will deliver the keynote address. The special edition of ‘Daijiworld Weekly’, ‘Health & Wellness’ edited by Dr Hegde will also be released on the occasion,” he concluded.

William Pais, Basti Vaman Shenoy, Ronald Anil Fernandes, Kairunnisa Sayyed, and Shahanaz M were present.

About the Awardees

Snehadeep under the leadership of Tabassum

Tabassum is a brave and kind hearted person who has taken pride in devoting her energy in taking care of such children and ensuring that they are given nutritious food, clothing and education. She works for the socially neglected children wholeheartedly for many years at Snehasadan, at Kottara Cross, which is school of rehabilitation for HIV infected children.

Daijiworld has recognized the service of Tabassum and her institution for this award after observing her efforts, sacrifice and the hardships she faces in running this school of destitute.

Celestin Mable Rodrigues

Celestine is a 34-year-old, hailing from Vitla. She has 80% disability suffering from cleft in hand and her foot. In spite of her disability, her strong will and commitment not in giving up so easily has motivated many. For the past 18 years she is working with Mescom as an office clerk and she has never felt that her disability in leading a dignified life. She lives with her mother and travels every day in a bus quite a distance to reach her office.

Pramila Joyce Pinto

Pramila is a 28-year-old slow learner, hails from Vamanjoor and was trained at Manasa Rehabilitation and Training Centre, Udupi in many skills and extracurricular activities.

An alumnus of St Agnes Special School, she has participated in many sport events in particular Roller Skating and Straight line race and won many medals. Her greatest achievement is when she participated in Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Athens, Greece in 2011. She has won one gold and two bronze medals and has made
India as well as home state Karnataka proud.

P Krishna Bhat

P Krishna Bhat from Kavoor is a 62-year-old, who in spite of being polio affected, not only completed his studies with in flying colours but also served Union Bank for 30 years with impeccable track record. He retired in 2014, but keeps himself abreast with many social activities.

His biggest achievement is in spite of being less privileged, so to say, he has raised and educated his both sons to their hearts content. While his elder son is a practicing doctor in the US, his second son is an MTech who works as a professor in an engineering college.

Arjun Adhyantaya

Arjun from Kodialguttu in Mangalore is 19-years-old. He is suffering from ‘Osteogenenesis Imferpercta’ a rare disease which has left him crippled within a few months of his birth. In spite of limitations, he has passed his SSC with 82% marks and I PUC with 70%. Now he is restricted to a Wheel Chair due to the generosity of a few Daijiworld readers. He has desire to be a graduate due to the encouragement and support of his friends and teachers at St Aloysius PU College and get a government job on his own merit.

Ashley D’Souza

Ashley D’souza is a 18-year-old who lives in Ullal in Mangaluru. In spite of below average intelligence and severe writing and reading disability, Ashley has passed CBSE exam in SSC and now he is studying for PUC II year at St Agnes Special School in Mangaluru.

Since childhood he has taken keen interest in sports and taken part in 17th National Zamboori at Mysore Scouts and Guides. He has participated in Half Marathon and won gold at many sports events, including in Dead and Bench Press in Special Olympics held in Mandya, Kolhapur, Hubli and other places organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs.

He has won two gold medals at Special Olympics and National level in power lifting championship in 2017.

Prajwal Lobo

21-year-old Prajwal Lobo has 50% mild mental disorder and studying at Saanidhya Residential School & Training Center for Mentally Challenged. In spite of his disability done marvelously well both in his academic and sports career.

A natural sportsman, he has won Silver in Handball in Mumbai, Silver in Softball in Odhisa and his biggest achievement are Silver and Gold Medals at the national level in power lifting held in Maharashtra. He stays with his parents in Urwa.

Prajwal has not only made his parents and his relatives and friends proud, but also his Saanidhya School and the entire coastal region.