The 23rd CavinKare Ability Awards 2025 were held in Chennai on Saturday, honoring six individuals with disabilities from across India. The awards recognized the recipients’ resilience, talent, and indomitable spirit. The Special Recognition Award went to Sarah Sunny, India’s first deaf lawyer to argue a case before the Supreme Court. Poonam Shroti, a disability rights advocate born with osteogenesis imperfecta, received the Award for Eminence. She founded the Uddip Social Welfare Society to empower individuals with disabilities, particularly in tier 2 cities.
The Mastery Awards were presented to Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh, a paraplegic Indian Para Swimmer; Miranda Tomkinson, a deafblind lecturer in special education; Jilumol Mariet Thomas, a self-employed graphic designer and member of the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Association; and Arshad Pandit, a paraplegic Associate Professor and researcher in medical genetics and cancer diagnostics.
Speaking at the event, Jayshree Raveendran, founder and executive director of the Ability Foundation, emphasized that each of the recipients embodied the resilience of individuals still striving to break free from societal constraints. She highlighted the importance of society acknowledging and fostering an environment where the contributions of individuals with disabilities are valued and utilized.
The CavinKare Ability Awards aim to recognize and celebrate the achievements of individuals with disabilities, promoting inclusivity and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps. The event serves as a testament to the awards’ mission to break down barriers and create a more inclusive society.