Cavin Cares

CavinKare Ability Awards

CavinKare Ability Awards For The Deserving Ones!

To recognize and reward the achievements of differently-abled people

The awards have been organized for the past 22 years in succession

CavinKare Ability Awards

We believe in the saying “be the change you want to see in the world” and we are changing for the betterment of our human society. At CavinKare, as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, we are closely associated with Ability Foundation, an NGO that works toward promoting and supporting the empowerment, betterment, and rights of differently-abled people.

For the first time in the history of Indian awards, we launched the CavinKare Ability Awards to recognize and reward the differently-abled people who have always been shunning backward. The time has come to recognize and appreciate them for helping them rise and exhibit to the world that they are no lesser than others. For the past 22 years, awards and recognition have been handed over to the right ones honoring their achievements. The awards have grown in stature and recognition.

CavinKare Ability Awards have sparked a fire of achievement in the hearts of these differently abled individuals showing them the path to exhibit their excellence fight all odds and prove to the world that they can do beyond what they can.

It has helped the differently abled people to take up challenges and move ahead in life helping them realize that nothing can deter them when they can make it happen.

CavinKare Ability Award for Eminence

It is a single award, comprising a memento, a citation and a cash prize of Rs.2 Lakhs, awarded in recognition of exemplary achievement and service to a person with disability.
It is awarded to an achiever, who has demonstrated a commitment and service to others beyond his/her individual personal achievements in a particular area.

CavinKare Ability Award for Mastery

Three entitlements, comprising of a memento, a citation and cash prize of Rs.1 Lakh are awarded in recognition of exemplary achievement to three people with disability who have set a high standard for themselves and gone on to achieve it. This is awarded to people who are a source of inspiration to a whole generation in need of motivation.

CavinKare Ability Special Recognition Award

Over and above these awards, there is also a recently instituted “CavinKare Ability Special Recognition Award”, which is yet another category of the award given to a person with disability who is also an acknowledged leader in the disability sector with exceptional achievements – either on the personal or the organizational front – inspiring admiration and meriting a special mention at the Awards. This honorary award, carries a citation and a trophy.

Previous winners

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Sarah Sunny
CavinKare Ability Special Recognition Award 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. 
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Poonam Shroti
CavinKare Ability Award for Eminence 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.
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Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh
CavinKare Ability Mastery Awards 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.
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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.
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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.  
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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.

Location

Location:
Sir Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Concert Hall,
Chetpet, Chennai - 31.

Jury

Mr. Madhan Karky,
Lyricist and Screenwriter,
Ms. Soumya Swaminathan,
Chairperson of the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation Justice (Retd.),
Mr. Prabha Sridevan,
Former Judge of the Madras High Court,
Mr. Kapil Viswanathan,
Co-founder of Krea University and President of IFMR,
Mr. S. Sethuraman,
Chartered Accountant.,