City man honoured for empowering disabled

Neha Saini

Tribune News service

Amritsar, December 4

Local entrepreneur and activist Dawinder Singh has bagged the prestigious 19th NCPEDP-Mindtree Helen Keller Award this year.

The award was launched as an initiative to recognise and celebrate the work done by organisations and individuals towards promoting employment opportunities for people with disabilities in India.

Dawinder, who was rendered wheelchair bound after suffering from a spinal chord injury 21 years ago, has actively been engaging people with disabilities to empower and gain independence through various avenues.

He received the award on December 2 ahead of World Disability Day at a ceremony in New Delhi to commemorate those who have made a contribution to actively promote employment for persons with disability. Dawinder was among the 12 recipients of this award.

Calling adversary his biggest strength, Dawinder, who is also a member of the state Advisory Board for Disabled, shared his excitement on receiving the award.

He said, “Awards are a medium for me to raise awareness about equal rights and treatment for the disabled. We have a long way to go in order to provide a conducive environment for the disabled and empower them through knowledge, empathy and economic independence. I believe that every person, who is fighting physical or intellectual disability, needs to be uplifted through consistent support.”

Despite the challenges and limitations of being a paraplegic, Dawinder has successfully managed to run three ventures and is also running a self-help group, Spinal Chord Injury Association, which organises workshops and provides support to people with disability.

Dawinder said the biggest challenge they still face was the biasness towards people with disabilities. “I have been a sportsperson in my life, even after an injury. I pursue shooting and participate in car rallies, which is an adventure sport. I want to show people that we can achieve things despite our limitations.”

Speaking about Dawinder’s work, Arman Ali, executive director, NCPEDP, said, “Dawinder is a role model entrepreneur. He has a large vision of good for all.”