MAHARASHTRA INFORMATION CENTRE

 

Maharashtra's Ten Heroes and PWD Nashik conferred National Awards

 

New Delhi, Dec 3:  Maharashtra's Ten heroes and the office of Public Works Department of Nashik, were Conferred with the 'National Awards on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities' today. These Awards were conferred by the President, Shri Ramnath Kovind at Vigyan Bhavan here today.

 

            On the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities', the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment had organised the National Awards on Individuals, Institutions, Organization, State/District for their outstanding achievements and work towards Empowerment of person with disabilities.

 

            Present of the occasion were Union Minister of Social Justice and EmpowermentDr. Viendra Kumar, Union MoS Ramdas Athavale, Shri Narayan Swami and Smt.  Pratima Bhoumik and officials of all concerned departments.

 

            Maharashtra’s ten personalities were conferred with prestigious National Award under various categories. The names include:  Dr. Poonam Annasaheb Upadhye, Ms Nikita Vasant Raut, Rajesh Asudani,  Sagar Rajiv Badve, Prathamesh Yashwant Date, Ms. Devanshi Anil Joshi, Dr.Priti Diliprao Pohekar, Ms.Neha Nalin Pawaskar, Devdatta Ravasahab Mane and Ms.Sakina Sandeep Bedi. The PWD Nashik also received the Awards for creation of barrier free Environment for disabled people.

The exemplary work done by the different individuals in different spheres has been outstanding and they were here to receive this Awards.

 

Dr. Poonam Annasaheb Upadhye

Dr. Poonam Annasaheb Upadhye was conferred with the National Award for Best Self-Employed (Locomotor Disability) category.

Dr. Upadhye, 41 years old, hails from Sangli District and has Locomotor Disability of 50% since birth. Despite the disability, she did not lose courage and completed education with hard work and dedication. She did Bachelor of Ayuvedic Medicine and Surgery followed by MD, PGPP and PGDEMS. She is self-employed and is earning a handsome salary. She is also actively involved in social service by providing free medical check ups for students of schools in the neighboring areas of her home.

 

Ms Nikita Vasant Raut

Ms Nikita Vasant Raut was conferred with the National Award for Best Employee (Visual Impairment) for her accomplishments in academics and in service. 

Ms Raut 36 years old, hails from Mumbai, has visual disability of 100%. Despite this, she was a bright student and excelled in academics. Her achievements include MBA, Masters of Management Studies, Qualified UGC NET, CAIIB, and Diploma in HR, Sangeet Visharad, and Sangeet Bhaskar. She is working as an Assistant General Manager (in the Senior Management Grade V) in the Bank of Baroda.  She is the first blind employee to reach the yougent Assistant General Manager in Bank of Baroda.

 

 

 

Rajesh Asudani

The National Award in the category of Role Model (Visual Impairment) was conferred on Shri Rajesh Asudani, for his outstanding achievements in academics and professional fields.

Shri Asudani, 65 years old, has 100% visual impairment since birth. He has done MA (English), LLM, M.Sc (Applied Psychology). He is a poet, writer and social worker. He has received 19 gold Medals in LLB and MA. He cleared NET in English, Law and Psychology subjects. He has Published books such as 'Adhura Asmaan 'and anthology of Ghazals in Hindi and Urdu languages. He works as an Assistant General Manager in the Reserve Bank of India, Nagpur.

  

Sagar Rajiv Badve

For his inspiring achievements, the National Award under the Role Model (Hearing Impairment) category, was conferred on Shri Sagar Rajiv Badve. He hails from Aurangabad District.

Shri Badve, 32 years old, has hearing impairment of 100% since birth. He has done BCA, B.P.Ed, M.P.Ed, NIS Diploma in Swimming from Sports Authority of India. He participated a number of times in the National level and other championships and won 80 medals. He has participated in 2 international swimming meets (Gibraltar strait from Spain to Morocco and Zurich lake competition.) He has been awarded with the Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Awards by Govt. of Maharashtra for the year 2019

 

Prathamesh Yashwant Date

Shri Prathamesh Yashwant Date was conferred with the National Award under the category of Intellectual disability for his incredible achievements.

Shri Date, 34 years old, hails from Ichalkaranji, Kolhapur and has intellectual disability of 50% since birth. He passed 9th standard and is working as Library Attendant for the last 10 years. He has also received a National Award in the Category of Most Efficient Employee in 2010 from the MoSJ & E. A film titled "Tale of a half chic" has been produced on him. He was associated with a documentary titled "Raisingthe Bar" which won Hollywood International Independent documentary Award of Recognition, in 2016.A Book in Marathi on Prathamesh-' Katha Ghadcenay Hatanchi" has been published which has been translated in other languages as well. 

 

Ms. Devanshi Anil Joshi

Ms. Devanshi Anil Joshi was conferred the National Award under the category of Role Model (Intellectual disability) for her outstanding achievements. Originally from Nagpur, presently she works in the Fashion Department of Big Bazar in Delhi.

                Ms. Joshi, 27 years old, has 50% intellectual disability since birth. She has passed 12th class and done various certificate courses in photography, dance, music, painting, computer, yoga and fitness. She has been active in various spheres of life, having successfully overcome the challenges.  She is working with Future group's Big Bazaar as a regular employee with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She was given the National Award for most Efficient Employee, and  in the  campaign for Accessible and Inclusive Election 2020, the Election Commission of India made Ms Devanshi Anil Joshi as its Icon. 

 

Dr. Priti Diliprao Pohekar

            Dr.Priti Diliprao Pohekar was conferred with the National Award under Role Model (Locomotor Disability) for her versatility and glorious achievements and having made a guiding force for persons with disabilities (Divyangjan).

            She is 47 years old, and hails from Latur and  has locomotor disability of 100% since birth. She has done Ph.D and started working as a lecturer in 2001 and Associate Professor.Despite her disability, she with her strong determination has excelled in academics. She had presented papers and authored a number of reference books in Marathi as also in English.

 

 

 

 

Ms. Neha Nalin Pawaskar

            The National Award in the category of Role Model (Visual Impairment) was conferred on Ms.Neha Nalin Pawaskar, for her outstanding achievements in the fields of sports and adventure activities. She hails from Mumbai.

            She is 53 years old and has visual impairment of 100% since she was 8 years. She has done B.A.(Sociooogy). She is working as a Telephone Operator, Government of Maharashtra. She has been a sportsperson and participated in various sporting events such as Shotput, Discuss Throw, Valley crossing and rappelling events. She is the first blind lady in India to attempt several adventure feats which are world Records. 

Devdatta Ravasaheb Mane

            The National Award in the category of Role Model (Locomotor Disability) was conferred on Devdatta Ravasahab Mane, for his outstanding achievements in the fields of sports and social work.

            Shri Mane, 38 years old, hails from Kolhapur and has 86% locomotor disability since he was 3. Shri Mane has done BA (Socialogy). He founded an organisation named Pragati Apang Audyogik Sahakari Sanstha for the welfare and rights of persons with disabilities. He participated in sports for more than 10 years and won 3rd place in Paralympics, sitting Senior Volleyball National Competition 2009.

 

Ms.Sakina Sandeep Bedi

            Ms Sakina Sandeep Bedi was conferred National Award in the Category of Best Individual (Professional) working for the cause of Persons with Disabilities. She works for the empowerment of persons with disabilities despite being herself a person with 100% visual disability

            Ms. Bedi, 53 years old, hails from Pune, is a 100% visually impaired person since birth. She has done MA (Social Work) with specialisation in Medical and Psychiatric Social Work from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. She started her career as a Project Officer and later joined National Federation of the Blind Maharashtra’s Jagriti School for Blind Girls in the capacity of Project Director in 1998. She is working for the empowerment of persons with visual impairment for the last 22 years.

 

Ms. Vaishnavi Vinayak Sutar

 

Ms. Vaishnavi Vinayak Sutar was conferred with the National Award in the Category of Best Sport Person with disabilities, for her outstanding performance in sports. A 37 year old Vaishnavi  hails from Kolhapur and become 65% locomotor disable (Muscular Dystrophy) when she was in class 12^th.  A very determined and confident athlete, she regularly participates in National and International Table Tennis Championship events and has many medals to her credit. Holding world ranking number 17, she has been awarded with Maharashtra Government’s Shiv Chhatrapati Award in Para Table Tennis.

 

PWD Nashik

                The National Award 2020 for Creation of Barrier Free Environment was conferred on the Public Works Department, Nashik.

            Public Works Department, Nashik has modified all the toilets considering standards for disabled and elderly persons. A non glare multilingual signages of different sizes having braille script are proposed from entrance of premises to reception, main offices cabins & Toilets. The exemplary work was done by the Public Works Department, Nashik in the creation of barrier free environment for persons with disabilities in the PWD Buildings thereby ensuring movement barrier free for persons with disabilities.

            A total of 59 Awards were conferred in 13 different categories across the country. The Awardees were presented with a Citation, Medal and some were given a cash prize as well.