|
THE 23rd
CAVINKARE ABILITY AWARDS 2025
Honours six exceptional achievers with disabilities from across the country
Sir Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Concert Hall, Harrington Road, Chennai
Jury:
Mr. Madhan Karky, Lyricist and screenwriter
Ms Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson, M S Swaminathan Research Foundation
Justice (Retd.) Prabha Sridevan, Former Judge, Madras High Court
Mr Kapil Viswanathan, Co-founder, Krea University & President, IFMR and
Mr S Sethuraman, Chartered Accountant
The event…
22nd CavinKare Ability Awards 2025, the flagship event of FMCG major CavinKare and the national NGO Ability Foundation took place today, honouring 6 exceptional achievers with disabilities from across the country and across diverse fields. The achievers thus honoured were in recognition of their relentless pursuit as changemakers of society who challenged all societal norms in pursuit of their dreams. There was also a show of inclusive art form with an inclusive Mohini Attam dance performance with Kalaimani Gopika Varma and troupe. Several dignitaries like Shri A R. Rahman, Dr. Vinod Surana & Dr. Mariazeena Johnson appreciated the programme and expressed their solidarity to the cause.
Commenting on the occasion, Mr. C K Ranganathan, Chairman and Managing Director, CavinKare Pvt. Ltd. said, "I am very happy to celebrate the incredible achievements of individuals with disabilities who have defied limitations and set new benchmarks for excellence. The CavinKare Ability Awards stands as a testament to their resilience, talent, and indomitable spirit. At CavinKare, we take immense pride in recognizing and honouring these extraordinary achievers, whose inspiring stories encourage us all to embrace inclusivity and challenge societal perceptions. Through this initiative, we aim to foster a more empowered and inclusive society where every individual is inspired to dream big and achieve beyond boundaries.”
Congratulating the recipients Ms. Jayshree Raveendran, Founder & Hon. Executive Director, Ability Foundation, made her point by saying: “Today, as we gather to celebrate remarkable accomplishments, we are not merely recognising individual successes, we are also amplifying the powerful voices of a diverse community. Through these awards, the millions of India’s disabled individuals are speaking. Stating loud and clear, that they deserve to be noticed, accepted and celebrated for who they really are. Each recipient here embodies the resilience that so many who still hold it within themselves to break free from the constraints placed by society; so too, society at large opens up to their immense power and embraces the vast potential that exists amongst the disabled community, just waiting to be utilised.”
The recipients of CavinKare Ability Awards 2025 are:
CavinKare Ability Special Recognition Award:
Sarah Sunny, Bengaluru, Karnataka
Sarah Sunny is India’s first deaf lawyer to argue before the Supreme Court, marking a historic step toward an inclusive legal system. Despite systemic barriers, including the lack of sign language interpreters trained in legal terminology, she persisted, advocating for accessibility in the judiciary. Raised in Bengaluru, she studied law at St. Joseph’s College and got enrolled as an advocate in 2021. Her success challenges stereotypes and paves the way for greater representation of deaf professionals in law.
CavinKare Ability Award for Eminence
Poonam Shroti, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Poonam Shroti is a passionate disability rights advocate who was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, a condition that causes fragile bones. Despite facing numerous challenges, Poonam defied societal expectations by completing her education and thriving in the corporate world. She founded Uddip Social Welfare Society to empower individuals with disabilities, particularly in India’s tier-two cities, through education, employment, and advocacy. Uddip’s initiatives have impacted hundreds, promoting inclusion, dignity, and independence.
CavinKare Ability Mastery Awards
Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh, Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat
Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh is a celebrated Indian Para Swimmer and advocate for disability rights. After being diagnosed with paraplegia due to a tumor, Shams turned to sports, achieving remarkable success. He holds the World Record for the Longest Open Sea Swim by a Paraplegic and has won 31 national medals. He is a 2018 Asian Para Games participant. Shams has also earned an MBA and launched initiatives like the Active Wheelchair Project to improve mobility for people with disabilities. Honoured with numerous awards, including the President’s Best Sportsperson with Disability Award, Shams continues to inspire with his vision for greater accessibility and inclusion in sports. At the Reykjavik International Games in January 2025, he further strengthened his legacy by securing six medals-one gold, three silver, and two bronze, while setting a new National and Asian record in the 200m Breaststroke.
CavinKare Ability Mastery Awards
Miranda Tomkinson, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Miranda Tomkinson is a lecturer in the Department of Special Education at NIEPMD, with a focus on Deafblindness and Special Education for Multiple Disabilities. As the first Deafblind individual in India to complete a major in Special Education, Miranda holds three postgraduate degrees and has cleared the UGC NET exams in Sociology and Education. He is known for his innovative teaching methods and research contributions, including his work on assistive technologies like NUANCE DRAGON. Through his blog, YouTube channel, and upcoming book, Miranda advocates for greater inclusion and awareness for individuals with Deafblindness and multiple disabilities.
CavinKare Ability Mastery Awards
Arshad Pandit, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
Arshad Pandit is an Associate Professor at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) and a pioneering researcher in medical genetics and cancer diagnostics. In 1995, Arshad’s life was dramatically changed when he was shot by terrorists, leaving him paraplegic. Despite the immense physical and emotional challenges, he went on to earn a Master's degree and Ph.D. in Immunology. He has secured over 12 crores in research funding and developed a hand-controlled driving system for independence. Arshad today mentors individuals with disabilities, promoting mobility, independence, and integration into society.
CavinKare Ability Mastery Awards
Jilumol Mariet Thomas, Thodupuzha, Kerala
Jilumol Mariet Thomas, born without arms due to thalidomide syndrome, is a self-employed graphic designer and a member of the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Association. She uses her feet for tasks like typing, sketching, and creating digital artwork. Jilumol holds the 2021 Best Painter of the Year Award and is also a skilled foot painter with works displayed in exhibitions. In 2023, she became the first female in Asia without arms to receive a four-wheeler license. Jilumol has also ventured into dubbing for Malayalam cinema and is a motivational speaker.
|
