Daijiworld Weekly celebrates second anniversary by presenting Swabhiman Awards-2011

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 13 June 2011: Daijiworld Weekly celebrated its second anniversary by presenting ‘Swabhiman Awards-2011’ to seven specially-abled  achievers on Sunday, June 12, 2011 at 4.30 pm at Shanti Kiran, Bajjodi in Mangalore. The awards were  divided into two categories, four of them- Fr Ivan Madtha,  Mohammed Iqbal,  Sudharatna K S and  Wilfred Valerian Gomes receiving ‘Swabhiman Awards’ with a purse of Rs.25,000, a citation and a memento and three- : Boniface Prabhu, Aruna Kumari Manipal and Zena Colaco  receiving  ‘Swabhiman Appreciation Awards’ with a cash prize of Rs 10,000, a citation and a memento.

 

The chief guest of the function was Dr. B. M. Hegde, former Vice Chancellor of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) who presented the awards to the seven differently abled persons who were applauded by the appreciating audience. In his address, Dr. B.M. Hegde said that he in spite of his busy schedule, he was extremely happy to be present for the wonderful function in which the achievements of the seven differently abled persons are being recognised. He appreciated ‘Daijiworld Weekly for arranging such a unique function to mark the second anniversary celebration of the weekly.  Citing a number of anecdotes Dr. Hegde pointed out how differently abled persons can do better than the so called normal persons. Further he said that recognition, support and encouragement to the differently abled persons would go a long way in instilling self respect (Swabhiman) among such persons.

 

William Pais, chief coordinator of the jury said that it was quite a difficult task to select the Swabhiman awardees from a number of nominations as each and every nominee had creditable achievements. He further said that going through the nominations and short listing the awardees and interacting with them was an enriching experience.

 

 

Walter Nandalike, Editor-in-chief of the Daijiworld Media traced the origin and growth of the web and print media. He said that, he and his team was quite apprehensive while launching Daijiworld Weekly as the print media throughout the world has been facing difficult times due to the electronic media. Though the initial six months since the launching of the Daijiworld Weekly were quite difficult, it is now standing on sound foundation under the editorship of Hemacharya and within two years it has become quite popular among the subscribers and readers.

 

Fr. Ivan Madtha, replying on behalf of  the awardees thanked Daijiworld Weekly for conferring Swabhiman Award on seven of them. He said that by whatever name they are called such as ‘handicapped’, ‘disabled’, ‘physically challenged’ or ‘differently abled’, the reality will not change and the reality is that such people have tremendous energy and will power which is being channelized in their achievements. Their energy is like water which cannot be prevented from flowing. He further said that he has great faith in God and prayer and at the same time he also has will and determination to succeed.

 

At the beginning of the function Ashel Sequeira performed prayer dance. Hemacharya, editor of Daijiworld Weekly welcomed the guests and the audience. The jury members and the sponsors were presented mementos. Titus Noronha proposed the vote of thanks and Leslie Rego compeered the programme.

 

As part of the entertainment programme Kasturi presented a classical song; Manipal Aruna Kumari gave Veena Concert and Fr. Ivan Madtha kept the audience engaged with his unique type of magic show that was appreciated by one and all.

 

About the Swabhman-2011 Award Winners:
The seven Swabhiman Awardees were selected by a full-fledged jury consisting of eminent personalities who perused the nominations received by the Daijiworld Weekly. The jury members were: Kannada writer Dr Sara Aboobacker, Vishwa Konkani Sardar Basti Vaman Shenoy, social worker Dr Lavina Noronha and journalist Dr Ronald Anil Fernandes. Well-known writer William Pais was the chief coordinator of the jury panel.

 

Fr Ivan Madtha
A Catholic Priest in the Diocese of Mangalore, Fr. Madtha was born on October 13, 1963. His father, the Late Fredrick Madtha was a naval officer and his mother Mrs. Alice Madtha is a retired teacher.

 

Fr. Ivan joined St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore in 1981 and was ordained priest in 1991. During his theological and philosophical studies he also studied science and the arts of illusion. He was not from a family of magicians, but he was had the support of his mother, his Bishop Rt. Rev. Aloysius Paul D’souza, and many others. It was Fr. Mathew Vas who inspired him to use his talent for Evangelization and Magician Alwyn Menezes who introduced him to the world of magic.

Fr. Ivan performed his first magic show on January 11, 1996 in Town Hall. He is a dedicated man, performing an average of 100 shows a year. He holds the record of performing 34 shows in a month and 12 shows in 3 days.

 

His life took a turn for the worse on August 30, 2005, when he met with an accident at a railway station in Mumbai and lost his left arm above the elbow and two fingers of his right hand, besides sustaining other injuries. This was a huge setback to his life and career. He underwent more than 11 operations and found out he had 60% disability in his arms and 40% disability in his legs. But with the help of a prosthetic limb and sheer will power he brought his life and career back on track.

 

What makes Fr. Madtha’s shows unique is that he strives to spread values through his work and change people’s lives. He organized a show for prison inmates in 2003, and performs regularly in educational institutions. Another of his noble ventures is street magic, which he believes is the best way to reach out to the common man. He has also developed audio visual aids to help him spread better values among the youth. The magician-priest is also a collector of stamps and coins of various countries.

 

Mohammed Iqbal
Born on June 1, 1962, Mohammed Iqbal suffers from post polio residual paralysis, which has left both his legs permanently disabled. However, in spite of his disability, he was determined to ‘stand on his own legs’ and carry on in life. He developed his talents  and secured distinction in the drawing grade exam of the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board. Throughout his childhood, singing and drawing were his passions and he won many prizes in various competitions.

 

 

Mohammed Iqbal attended school as any other normal child and  secured first class in the SSLC examination. Thereafter he continued his higher studies and secured  Bachelor of Science degree from the Mangalore University with Chemistry, Botany and Zoology as secialization. He also has a Diploma in Pharmacy and owns and runs Shirva Medical and General Store.
Being a simple man Mohammed Iqbal attempts to lead a normal life. He goes through the daily routine like any other normal person. Through his achievements, Mohammed Iqbal has demonstrated how one can achieve difficult  goals in life through courage and will power.

 

Sudharathna K S
Born on August 7, 1973, Sudharathna K S suffers from Cerebral Palsy affecting her all four limbs aand has limited mobility in her hands and legs. At the age of ten, she joined the Mangala Jyothi Integrated School in Vamanjoor and did extremely well in her academic studies securing First Class in the SSLC Examination with the help of a writer. She has also completed a certificate course in computing and a drawing grade exam. She has taken various Central government-sponsored training courses in art.
Realizing her potential for drawing, the Correspondent of her school, Mohini Appaji Nayak encouraged her to pursue her talent and her drawing teacher M S Shalini took up the responsibility of coaching her. Sudharathna only needs help picking up the brush, and from there on she works on her own. Using her chin to move the brush along the canvas, which she places on her lap, she works wonders. Her favourite subject is landscape. She also paints greeting cards and fabric.

 

 

Sudharathna has taken part in various art competitions across the state and won ’Greeting Card’ competitions by the Prasad School of Art, Lions Club ‘Peace Poster’ competition, among others. She also won the fifth place in ‘Ancha Kuncha’, a State Level completion organized by Shobhavana Trust. Sudharathna has also won ‘Outstanding Young Indian Award’ constituted by the Manipal Hill City Jaycees.

 

Sudharathna even sells her artwork now and her paintings adorn the walls of many a house. This has given her a sense of independence as she can earn her own livelihood. Sudharathna has been praised by many celebrities and prominent individuals for her work, including Former Miss World Aishwarya Rai.

 

Wilfred Valerian Gomes
Born on March 16, 1971 to Mr. Piad Gomes and Cosess Gomes, Wilfred Gomes became a victim of the much-dreaded Polio virus, at the age of two, suffering 80% disability. In spite of this disability he did his schooling and higher studies at St. Mary’s Pre University College at Shirva and went on to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from the Mangalore University in 1993.

 

 

Gomes has been described as an honest and hard working person with an indomitable independent spirit by those close to him. He has been successfully running a telephone booth cum travel agency at Shirva. In 1999, he married Rosaline Marina Gomes and the couple has been blessed with two children - Russell and Vanessa.

 

Being the Founder-president of the Federation of Physically Handicapped Association in Udupi, Wilfred Gomes helped to form the Karnataka State Disabled Council, of which he is currently the Vice President. In these capacities he has helped hundreds of disabled people across the state to obtain benefits due to them and organized various awareness camps to sensitize the public and the differently-abled persons. He has also played a crucial role in bringing good medical treatment for the disabled persons.

 

Gomes is also an active member of the Lions and Rotary Clubs. His selfless service has benefitted not just disabled persons but society in general as well. The efforts taken by Gomes have been recognized by various organizations and individuals. The Government of Karnataka presented him with the “Rajya Prashasti Award’ in 2009 for his sincere and dedicated service to society, especially disabled persons.

 

Boniface Prabhu
Harry Boniface Prabhu is a wheelchair tennis player of international fame. He is a quadriplegic by disability, which means he has no control or sensation in his lower limbs.

 

 

Prabhu has competed in all the major Grand Slam Wheelchair Tennis Championships including the Australian Open, British Open, French Open and US Open. He is the first Indian wheelchair tennis player to reach the semi-finals and finals of all these tournaments.

 

He is the only Indian to be listed among World Wheelchair tennis rankings, ranked 18 in the world and No 1 in Asia. He became the first Indian to win a medal at the 1998 World Championship, and in 1996 he won two gold medals and one silver medal at the World Wheelchair Games. In all, he has won 11 wheelchair tennis titles.

 

Born on May 14, 1972, Prabhu is an enthusiastic participant in other sporting activities as well. He has represented India 52 times in 6 different sporting events including shot put, badminton, javelin and discus throw and won medals in many of them.
He founded the ‘Boniface Prabhu Wheelchair Tennis Academy’ to encourage, train and find new talent among the physically and intellectually challenged community. He has been the brand ambassador for various companies and products and is India’s brand ambassador for wheelchair tennis.

 

Prabhu is often called to take part in TV shows and debates as well as invited to various educational institutions. He was the chief guest for the ATP ‘World Doubles Championship’ in Bangalore.

 

He is the recipient of various awards including the Prathiba Bhushan, Rising Star of the Millennium, Ekalavya and most importantly the Rajyothsava Award which is the highest award in the state. He is also being considered for the Arjuna and Padma Shri which are the highest awards for any sports person in the country.

 

Manipal Aruna Kumari
Manipal Aruna Kumari, born in 1966, lost vision in both her eyes at the age of 7. In addition to this, her fingers became crooked and weak due to osteo-arthritis. Yet she has mastered the art of playing on the veena, one of the most complicated traditional music instruments.

 

 

She is the only daughter among the four children born to Shama Bhat and the Late Hemavathi Bhat.

 

Aruna’s foundation training in Carnatic classical music was under Vidwan Udupi Vasudeva Bhat, and later under Smt Lalita Ballal and Vidwan Sooralu Parameshwar Bhat. She began learning veena under K R Laxmi Iyengar and violin under Sri K Ragavendra Bhat. She passed all grade levels of music examinations with rank, honors and distinction. She has a Masters of Arts degree in sociology from the Karnataka State Open University. Besides playing the veena, she is an accomplished singer and violin player.

 

She is the recipient of many awards and scholarships including the Union Government cultural Scholarship and the Karnataka Sangeetha Nrithya Academy award. At the age of 15 she played the veena at the Thiruvallvar Music festival. She is the recipient of the Karnataka Rajyothsava district level award and the Indira Gandhi Mahila Shiromani award.

 

She has performed in over 250 solo violin concerts and release four CD’s of her music.

 

Zena Colaco
Zena Colaco is an artist par excellence, despite being speech and hearing impaired. Born on March 28, 1982, Ms. Zena is the daughter of Stan Colaco, a retired journalist and Brincy Colaco of Mangalore.

 

 

She did her schooling in St. Agnes Special School and developed her skills in art at the same time. In 2003 she completed her senior secondary in National Open University. Overcoming all odds, she completed a Diploma in Fashion and Garment Designing at the Mangalore Institute of Fashion Technology. She further improved her art skills under the tutelage of Mr. Sunil Abraham at Kala Vision. She has also completed a Diploma Course in 3-D Animation from Toon Skool.

 

In 2010 she held her first solo exhibition ‘Sounds of Silence’ at Orchid Art Gallery in Mangalore. The paintings were her perception of the world of music and reflected her positive attitude. As many as 22 paintings were displayed out of which 16 were sold.

 

Colaco is also a good dancer. In school she choreographed a dance for her group members by drawing each step.

(Brief profiles of award winner-Courtesy Daijiworld.com)