Six Exceptional Achievers with Disabilities Honoured at the Prestigious 23rd CavinKare Ability Awards 2025

Gandhinagar, February 2025: Honouring six exceptional achievers with disabilities from across the country, CavinKare, in collaboration with Ability Foundation, one of the nation’s leading NGOs, hosted the 23rd edition of the CavinKare Ability Awards in the city today. Recognizing their relentless pursuit as changemakers who challenged societal norms, the 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.

Established in the year 2003, the CavinKare Ability Awards have been recognizing exemplary services as well as accomplishments of achievers with disabilities. This esteemed national award is divided into three categories: the CavinKare Ability Award for Eminence, the CavinKare Ability Mastery Awards and CavinKare Ability Special Recognition Award.

The recipients of CavinKare Ability Awards 2025 are:

1 CavinKare Ability Special Recognition Award:

Sarah Sunny, Bengaluru, Karnataka

Sarah Sunny is India’s first deaf lawyer to argue before the Supreme Court, marking a historic step toward an inclusive legal system. Despite systemic barriers, including the lack of sign language interpreters trained in legal terminology, she persisted, advocating for accessibility in the judiciary. Raised in Bengaluru, she studied law at St. Joseph’s College and got enrolled as an advocate in 2021. Her success challenges stereotypes and paves the way for greater representation of deaf professionals in law.

2 CavinKare Ability Award for Eminence:

Poonam Shroti, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Poonam Shroti is a passionate disability rights advocate who was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, a condition that causes fragile bones. Despite facing numerous challenges, Poonam defied societal expectations by completing her education and thriving in the corporate world. She founded Uddip Social Welfare Society to empower individuals with disabilities, particularly in India’s tier-two cities, through education, employment, and advocacy. Uddip’s initiatives have impacted hundreds, promoting inclusion, dignity, and independence.

3. CavinKare Ability Mastery Awards:

Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh, Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat

Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh is a celebrated Indian Para Swimmer and advocate for disability rights. After being diagnosed with paraplegia due to a tumor, Shams turned to sports, achieving remarkable success. He holds the World Record for the Longest Open Sea Swim by a Paraplegic and has won 31 national medals. He is a 2018 Asian Para Games participant. Shams has also earned an MBA and launched initiatives like the Active Wheelchair Project to improve mobility for people with disabilities. Honoured with numerous awards, including the President’s Best Sportsperson with Disability Award, Shams continues to inspire with his vision for greater accessibility and inclusion in sports.  At the Reykjavik International Games in January 2025, he further strengthened his legacy by securing six medals-one gold, three silver, and two bronze, while setting a new National and Asian record in the 200m Breaststroke.

Miranda Tomkinson, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Miranda Tomkinson is a lecturer in the Department of Special Education at NIEPMD, with a focus on Deafblindness and Special Education for Multiple Disabilities. As the first Deafblind individual in India to complete a major in Special Education, Miranda holds three postgraduate degrees and has cleared the UGC NET exams in Sociology and Education. He is known for his innovative teaching methods and research contributions, including his work on assistive technologies like NUANCE DRAGON. Through his blog, YouTube channel, and upcoming book, Miranda advocates for greater inclusion and awareness for individuals with Deafblindness and multiple disabilities.

Arshad Pandit, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir

Arshad Pandit is an Associate Professor at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) and a pioneering researcher in medical genetics and cancer diagnostics. 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.

Jilumol Mariet Thomas, Thodupuzha, Kerala

Jilumol Mariet Thomas, born without arms due to thalidomide syndrome, is a self-employed graphic designer and a member of the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Association. She uses her feet for tasks like typing, sketching, and creating digital artwork. Jilumol holds the 2021 Best Painter of the Year Award and is also a skilled foot painter with works displayed in exhibitions. In 2023, she became the first female in Asia without arms to receive a four-wheeler license. Jilumol has also ventured into dubbing for Malayalam cinema and is a motivational speaker.