Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Feb 27:
Bringing Pride to Jammu & Kashmir, Arshad Pandit, Associate Professor at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) and a pioneering researcher in medical genetics and cancer diagnostics; was honoured at the 23rd edition of the CavinKare Ability Awards.
Organized in Chennai by CavinKare, in collaboration with Ability Foundation, one of the nation’s leading NGOs, Arshad was recognized under the CavinKare Ability Mastery Awards alongside five other winners with disabilities, from across the country , for their relentless pursuit as a changemaker who challenged societal norms.
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.
The grand event witnessed several dignitaries like Shri A R. Rahman, Dr. Vinod Surana & Dr. Mariazeena Johnson expressing solidarity with the cause. The evening also featured a captivating Mohiniyattam performance by the esteemed Kalaimamani Gopika Varma and her troupe, further enriching the event’s spirit of inclusivity and cultural appreciation.
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 recognizing individual successes, we are also amplifying the powerful voices of a diverse community. Through these awards, millions of India’s disabled individuals are speaking, loud and clear, asserting that they deserve to be noticed, accepted, and celebrated for who they truly are. Each recipient here embodies the resilience of countless others who are still striving to break free from the constraints imposed by society. As they break these constraints, it is imperative that society, in turn, acknowledges their vast potential and fosters an environment where their contributions are just waiting to be utilized.”
The recipients of this year’s awards were meticulously selected by an eminent panel of jurors, which included Mr. Madhan Karky, Lyricist and Screenwriter; Ms. Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson of the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation; Justice (Retd.) Prabha Sridevan, Former Judge of the Madras High Court; Mr. Kapil Viswanathan, Co-founder of Krea University and President of IFMR; and Mr. S. Sethuraman, Chartered Accountant.
