CavinKare ABILITY Awards for 2009-2010

From the Ability Foundation – India;

We have just announced the CavinKare ABILITY Awards for 2009-2010.

It is now time for us to identify exceptional persons with disabilities. As we reach out to all of India, we invite you to nominate the person or persons with disability whom you consider worthy of this prestigious award.

Now into its eighth year, the CavinKare ABILITY Awards are prestigious national awards of the highest caliber for achievers with disability. The Awards come in two categories:

1. The Eminence Award which is given to a person with disability, who has not just triumphed over odds, but has looked beyond himself/herself to create an organization for the benefit of others.

2. The Mastery Awards are for persons with disabilities, who have believed in themselves and pursued their dreams against odds to excel in their chosen field.

We request you to disseminate this information as widely as possible.  You can nominate more than one person. Self nomination is also accepted. All details, including the nomination form are available on our website: www.abilityfoundation.org.

18 Super Idols from across the country honoured in a glittering awards ceremony

Mumbai, January, 19th 2010: IBN7 – India’s Channel of Impact and Bajaj Allianz – India’s leading private insurance company, felicitated and acknowledged eighteen Super Idols of India at the ‘IBN7 Bajaj Allianz Super Idols’ Awards in a splendid award ceremony held in Mumbai today. The award ceremony celebrated the achievements of the specially abled who have overcome debilitating physical challenges through super human efforts to achieve acceptance and success in this society as well as the individuals who have worked tirelessly to achieve equal rights for the specially abled.

The IBN7 editorial team, through its extensive reporter network in the country, identified these 17 ‘Super Idols’ across India whose work can be classified under one of the following eight categories: Sports; Business and Employment; Rehabilitation; Entertainment; Education; National Service; Idol Makers ; Special Idol Makers, and the special Lifetime Achievement Award. (for details on the Super Idols, please refer to attached Annexure).

The awards ceremony will be telecast on IBN7 on 26th January, Tuesday @ 7:30 PM and on CNN-IBN @ 8:00 PM.

The recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award was Javed Abidi, the Director of India’s National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (N.C.P.E.D.P.). Mr. Abidi was diagnosed with Spina Bifeda (a developmental birth defect caused by the incomplete closure of the embryonic neural tube) when he was just 20 days old but strove hard not just to conquer his own disability but also worked tirelessly for providing equal employment opportunities for the specially abled and to set up and head the Disability Unit – at the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.

Recognizing and acknowledging the contribution of these individuals, pioneers from various fields of the society were present at the award ceremony. The Chief Guest, Mr. Aamir Khan graced the occasion with his valuable presence. For their perseverance & achievements, the Super Idols were honoured with a trophy and a cash prize of Rs. 1 Lakh each. Bajaj Allianz also supported each of Super Idols with a health insurance policy with cover of Rs. 3 lacs. Other eminent personalities from different walks of life such as Ms. Daina Hayden, Mr. Ashutosh Rana, Ms. Saroj Khan, Mr. Shekhar Suman, Madhur Bhandarkar, Mr. Harsha Bhogle, eminent writer Mr. Amol Gupte among many others, also lent their support by attending the event.

The ceremony opened with popular singer Krishna Beura’s soulful songs that left the audience deeply moved, before the evening moved on to the felicitation of the Super Idols in the various categories.

Speaking about the initiative, Ashutosh, Managing Editor, IBN7 said, “The IBN7 Bajaj Allianz Super Idols’ Awards are our earnest endeavour to honour some of the unsung heroes of our society, the men and women who have not only battled disability themselves but have also served as a shining example to other differently abled individuals to overcome all obstacles and scale new pinnacles of achievement. Tonight we salute these remarkable people who truly are role models for all of us; they are the real Super Idols of India.”

Addressing the media, Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, IBN18 said, “My heartiest congratulations and best wishes to all the recipients of the IBN7 Bajaj Allianz Super Idols’ Awards. These extraordinary individuals have truly shown that disability does not translate into the inability to perform the greatest of feats and we are proud to be celebrating their achievements tonight”

“It is a matter of great pride for Bajaj Allianz to be associated with this initiative. We believe that everybody should have the determination to live life to the fullest and this platform celebrates that ‘jiyo befikar’ spirit irrespective of the harsh conditions one may have to face”, said Mr. Kamesh Goyal, Country Manager and CEO, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Co Ltd.

Aamir Khan, the Chief Guest at the event added, “Promoting equal rights and opportunities for the differently abled is a cause which is very close to my heart. I am happy and proud to be a part of this awards function tonight which celebrates the amazing achievements of these exceptional individuals.”
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Jayshree Raveendran, Founder & Managing Trustee, Ability Foundation, said, “It is an honour to be associated with IBN7 Bajaj Allianz Super Idols that recognizes the outstanding achievement of the specially abled people in various fields. This initiative will also motivate others in the society to utilize their talent in the best way and promote a society offering equal opportunities for all.”

About Network 18
Network18 [BSE: 532798,NSE: Network18] is one of India’s leading full play media conglomerates with interests in television, print, internet, filmed entertainment, mobile content and allied businesses. Through its holding in Television Eighteen India Ltd (TV18) [BSE: 532299, NSE: TV-18], Network18 operates India’s leading business news television channels, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz. It also runs one of India’s largest Internet players – Web18, as well as one of India’s leading real time financial information and news terminals – Newswire18. TV18 has recently expanded into print with Infomedia18, a newly formed entity following the acquisition of Infomedia, India’s leading player in the special interest publishing and printing operations space.TV18 has also announced collaboration with Forbes media for the launch of a business magazine in India. Through its holding in ibn18 Broadcast Ltd (ibn18) [BSE: 532800,NSE: ibn18], Network18 operates in the general news and entertainment space with leading general news channels CNN-IBN and IBN7 and has launched IBN Lokmat, a Marathi news channel in partnership with the Lokmat group. ibn18 also operates a joint venture with Viacom, called Viacom18 which houses the MTV, VH1 and Nickelodeon channels in India – as also Studio18, the Group’s filmed entertainment operation and has launched ‘Colors’, a Hindi general entertainment channel. Additionally, Network18 holds the Group’s online & on-air home shopping venture, Homeshop18 and its full spectrum events management venture, E18.

Disclaimer:
“ibn18 Broadcast Limited is proposing, subject to market conditions and other considerations, an offer of its equity shares on rights basis and has filed a Draft Letter of Offer with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). The Draft Letter of Offer is available on the website of SEBI at www.sebi.gov.in and the website of the Lead Manager at www.icicisecurities.com. Investors should note that investment in equity shares involves a high degree of risk and are requested to refer to the section titled “Risk Factors” of the Draft Letter of Offer for details of the same.”

National Disability Awards

2009 National Disability Award recipients announced!

Recipients of the 2009 National Disability Awards were announced at the awards ceremony held in the Great Hall of Parliament House on 23 November.

One recipient was announced in each of the Business, Social Inclusion, Local Government and Disability Rights Young Leader award categories. In an exciting twist, two recipients were awarded the Minister’s Lifelong Achievement Award.

IDPwD Patron Therese Rein, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs the Hon Jenny Macklin MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services the Hon Bill Shorten MP, Minister for Ageing the Hon Justine Elliot MP, and the Minister for Employment Participation Senator the Hon Mark Arbib presented recipients with their awards.

IDPwD and the National Disability Awards 2009

International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is part of a worldwide celebration that occurs on 3 December each year. The day is a collaborative effort to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions and experiences of people with disability.

The National Disability Awards form part of the Australian Government’s celebration of IDPwD. The awards celebrate and acknowledge the achievements and contributions that individuals with disability make to our community, and recognise individuals within our community who have contributed to the disability sector.

If you have made, or know someone who has made, a significant contribution to their community, either at a local, regional, state or national level, tell us about it by nominating them for the 2009 National Disability Awards.

11th N.C.P.E.D.P. Shell Helen Keller Awards announced

D.N.I.S. News Network, India: The winners of the much coveted N.C.P.E.D.P. Shell Helen Keller Awards for 2009 have been announced. This is the 11th edition of these awards instituted by National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (N.C.P.E.D.P.), to honour individuals and organisations who have been working towards promoting equal opportunities and providing gainful employment for persons with disabilities. The Awards will be given on December 2 in New Delhi.

The Awards are given away in 3 categories – role model disabled persons, non-disabled role model supporters and companies, organisations or institutions who demonstrate their belief in equal rights and gainful employment for persons with disabilities.

The winners under the role model disabled persons category this year are Dr. Meenu Bhambhani (Head, Corporate Social Responsibility, MphasiS); Nupur Jain (Senior Executive, Wipro Ltd.); and Dr. Sam Taraporevala (Director, Xavier’s Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged). Mani Ram Sharma and G.J. Siddharth have been given a special mention.

Under the non-disabled role model supporters category Dhruv Lakra, Founder and C.E.O. of Mirakle Couriers; Team I.T. comprising of N. Ravi Shanker, Dr. Govind, Neeta Verma and Dr. S.K. Aggarwal; and Vikas Sharma (posthumously) have been awarded. I.B.M. India Private Limited, National Thermal Power Corporation (N.T.P.C.) Limited, Steel Authority of India Limited (S.A.I.L.) and Wipro Limited bagged the honours under the disabled friendly corporate category.

Several nominations were filed for the Awards that subsequently went through a rigorous selection process. The Selection Committee comprised of Dr. V. Krishnamurthy (Chairman, N.C.P.E.D.P.); Som Mittal (President, N.A.S.S.C.O.M.); Deepak Mukarji (Country Head, Corporate Affairs, Shell India Private Limited); and Preeti Mehra (Deputy Editor, The Hindu Business Line).

IBM-2009

DELHI, India – 03 Dec 2009: IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced that it received several prestigious awards in India on World Disability Day, recognizing the company’s work to improve the lives of those with disabilities.

The first was India’s National Award 2009 in the category of “Technological Innovation” for best applied research aimed at improving the life of persons with disabilities – India’s highest such award. It was awarded personally by India’s Honorable President Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil on behalf of India’s Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and it recognizes the work of IBM Researchers in creating technology for what IBM calls the “Spoken Web.” This voice-enabled technology, developed by IBM Research – India, complements the Internet, and enables people with little or no literacy, or those with visual impairment, to access and share information, perform business transactions, and create social networks using mobile or landline phones.

IBM was also recognized with the 2009 Helen Keller Award from India’s National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People. The honor lauded IBM for demonstrating policies and practices that provide equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

IBM has earned these significant awards for three years in a row.

Dr. Meenu Bhambhani wins the Shell Helen Keller Award 2009

Dr. Meenu Bhambhani, Vice President of the IFPIAN, was awarded the prestigious NCPEDP – Shell Helen Keller Award 2009, under Category A: Disabled persons from within and outside the disability sector who have been active as ambassadors of the cause of employment for disabled people and are a positive role model for others.

Meenu was recognised as a Role Model for Persons with Disabilities who has promoted employement for persons with disabilities.

The Selection Committee comprised of Dr. V. Krishnamurthy (Chairman, N.C.P.E.D.P.); Som Mittal (President, N.A.S.S.C.O.M.); Deepak Mukarji (Country Head, Corporate Affairs, Shell India Private Limited); and Preeti Mehra (Deputy Editor, The Hindu Business Line).

The Award comprising a medal and a citation was presented on December 2, 2009 at a function held at The India Habitat Center, New Delhi. The award was given by Hon’ble HRD Minister, Shri Kapil Sibal . The event was presided over by Shri Shekhar Gupta, Editor-in-Chief, Indian Express.