Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Oct 15: It was a celebration like no other. And what made it special was the recognition of super achievers who, though differently-abled, are countless times more specially blessed. It was recognition of the human spirit that strives against all odds and triumphs over every challenge life throws at it.
It was the most splendid way to mark eight years of the remarkable journey of Daijiworld Weekly, the only English weekly in Karnataka. Like in the past on its anniversaries in 2014 and 2011, Daijiworld Weekly led by its editor-in-chief Hemacharya marked the milestone with a heart-warming programme wherein seven specially-abled achievers were honoured with 'Swabhiman Awards'. The ceremony was held at Town Hall here on Saturday October 14 in the august presence of eminent guests.
The awards were bestowed on 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 Bendore and Prajwal Lobo of Saanidhya School in Shaktinagar. A special award, sponsored by the prestigious Karnataka Bank under its CSR initiative, was conferred on Snehadeep Residential School for HIV infected girls managed by Tabassum at Bejai-Kapikad.
Former vice-chancellor MAHE University Padma Bhushan Dr B M Hegde, who was the chief guest, released a special edition of Daijiworld Weekly focussing on health and well-being.
Addressing the gathering, Dr B M Hegde said, "It gives me immense pleasure to be associated with this wonderful programme and this special issue is on healthcare. Swabhiman Award is an asset to the society. It is important to recognise achievers, as it boosts morale and encourages others to follow suit. Swabhiman award should be a regular feature. I wish it goes on and on for a hundred years."
Commenting on the state of healthcare in the country, he said, "What we have is not healthcare but 'sickness care'. It is a buisness. Healthcare is not a business - it is a very comprehensive and holistic thing, which requires good food, clean drinking water, healthy atmosphere, economic empowerment, education and all kinds of things that go with health. We need healthcare, not just disease care. Healthcare lies in providing the whole population with clean drinking water and sanitation. If you give clean drinking water you can close 80 percent of the hospital beds. What healthcare requires the most is a clean mind."
He specially lauded Hemacharya for taking the initiative in honouring differently-abled achievers and celebrating Daijiworld Weekly's anniversaries in this meaningful way. "He has done something unique. May his tribe increase. Daijiworld is doing its job very well. I wish all the best to Hemacharya and Daijiworld," he said.
Dr B M Hegde recalled a chance meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a train when the latter was the chief minister of Gujarat, and went on to narrate how impressed he was by Modi's simplicity, his interest in improving healthcare in his state and the way he accomplished it. He termed hatred as the cause for all diseases, and called upon everyone to love and help each other.
Noticing that Swabhiman awardee Arjun Adyanthaya who was dependent on wheelchair had difficulty in getting on to the dais due to the absence of a ramp, Dr B M Hegde said, "Each and every building should have a ramp so that it is friendly to the disabled. If a building does not have ramp, it should not be given licence. Daijiworld should start a campaign on this issue."
Director of Father Muller Charitable Institution Fr Richard Coelho said, "As you have noticed, this building is not friendly to the differently-abled. Guidelines should be circulated to hospitals and constructions stating that they should be suitable for the disabled to move freely in the building. The government needs to look into this in making buildings friendly to the disabled."
President of World Konkani Centre Basti Vaman Shenoy, who also headed the Swabhiman Awards jury, said, "Daijiworld Weekly invited applications for this award after which we had to opt for the right person for this award. We saw the painful stories of the awardees and the difficulties faced by the parents. I feel sad as to why god differentiates by giving them difficulty. Felicitating high scorers and politicians is common, but Daijiworld has taken great initiative in recognising these blessed achievers."
Managing director of Forum Fiza Group B M Farooq said, "It is an immense pleasure to be associated with the 8th anniversary of Daijiworld Weekly. Let me first of all congratulate all the awardees and Daijiworld Weekly for creating a platform for the socially marginalised people. The awardees have made Mangaluru proud."
Recalling an incident during the time he had contested for the Rajya Sabha polls, he said, "Media should not be biased. Media should focus on giving the right news, and create oneness among the people and not divide them."
Managing director and CEO of Karnataka Bank Mahabaleshwar M S also spoke on the occasion and congratulated the awardees and Daijiworld Weekly and its team.
On behalf of the awardees, Krishna Bhat spoke and thanked the jury and Daijiworld Weekly.
The awards jury, headed by Basti Vaman Shenoy, comprised 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, with William Pais of Gallerie Orchid as the coordinator.
Main sponsors of the award were felicitated on the occasion.
Leslie Rego compered the programme with elan.
Editor-in-chief of Daijiworld Weekly Hemacharya welcomed the gathering and Vincy Pinto proposed the vote of thanks.
Earlier, the programme started with an invocation by Kasturi Kamath and a beautiful welcome dance by special students of Sanidhya Residential School.
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.
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 Mangaluru 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 an 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 Odisha and his biggest achievements 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.
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