New Delhi: The NCPEDP-Helen Keller Awards celebrated 25 years of a glorious journey on Monday, honoring 17 exceptional individuals and organizations from across India who have championed the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workforce. Recognized as one of the most prestigious awards in the disability sector, the Helen Keller Awards continue to inspire leaders and redefine the employment landscape, promoting financial independence for persons with disabilities.
Complimenting NCPEDP, Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, DEPwD, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, commended the collective efforts that have driven the disability inclusion movement forward. He said, “With a significant portion of India’s population living with disabilities, inclusion of disabled people in the workplaces should become a mandate, hence ensuring that everyone receives equal opportunity to not just live a dignified life but also contribute to the nation’s development.”
Reflecting on the award’s legacy, Arman Ali, Executive Director of NCPEDP, expressed optimism and gratitude, saying, “This celebration is a tribute to individuals and organisations that have relentlessly worked toward empowering persons with disabilities. Over the past 25 years, we’ve witnessed a sea change in infrastructure and attitudes, moving beyond treating persons with disabilities as beneficiaries to recognising them as equal contributors. Looking ahead, we foresee transformative advancements in technology, AI, and private-sector collaborations that promise to further redefine accessibility.”
To mark the silver jubilee of the awards, two new categories were introduced this year. The Role Model Media Award for Disability-Inclusive Journalism recognised the vital role of media professionals in raising public awareness and make disability the main dimension of human centric development, while the Lifetime Achievement Award honored a visionary whose life’s work has reshaped the disability rights landscape, and added to enhanced availability of opportunities for disabled people. Alongside the existing four award categories that celebrate individuals, supporters, organisations, the new categories spotlights NCPEDP’s effort to acknowledge everyone who has added value to the employment rights for persons with disabilities.
Established in 1999, the NCPEDP-Helen Keller Awards were introduced at a time when employment opportunities for persons with disabilities were rarely discussed. Over the past 25 years, it has evolved into a powerful platform that celebrates innovation, resilience, and leadership in the disability sector. The awards not only recognize individual achievements but also serve as a catalyst for change, inspiring a collective vision of an inclusive and equitable society.
Ali emphasized the importance of collaboration and shared purpose, stating, “The contributions of these awardees add immense strength to the disability movement. As we look ahead, we remain committed to promoting accessibility, equity, and empowerment, building on their legacy as a reflection of hope and progress.”
This year, 17 individuals and organisations across India were recognised for their outstanding contributions.
Category A Role Model Persons with Disabilities was presented to Basant Sahu - Chhattisgarh; Nishtha Thaker - Gujarat; Resham Talwar - Delhi; and Dilip Kumar Dahyalal - Gujarat.
Category B Role Model Supporters of Increased Employment for Persons with Disabilities was presented to Ashish Verma - Hyderabad; Ameesha Prabhu - Mumbai; and Ajay Govind - Dehradun
Category C Role Model Organizations was presented to The National Federation of the Blind; Minda Corporation Limited; Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC); and Sakthi Masala Pvt. Ltd. with IndiGo receiving the Jury Mention Award.
Entrepreneurs with Disabilities was presented to Javed Ahmad Sheikh - Srinagar; Gayatri Sharma - Delhi; and Rishabh Gupta - Delhi.
The Role Model Media Award was presented to Uzmi Athar from PTI
The Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred upon Thilakam Rajendran for her tireless dedication to disability inclusion.
BI Bureau
