‘Positive Health Heroes’ shine bright at the 10th edition of Dr Batra’s™ Positive Health awards
Deepa Malik the first Indian woman to win a silver medal in Paralympic Games 2016 wins Dr Batra’s™ People Choice Awards
The 10th year of Bajaj V presents Dr Batra’s™ Positive Health Award, held this evening at NCPA, Nariman Point, Mumbai, celebrated high achievers who have not only displayed outstanding courage but have positively contributed back to society. The award ceremony was attended by Bollywood diva Sonakshi Sinha who awarded these real life heroes on their achievements.
A befitting tribute to the 10th anniversary of Dr Batra’s Positive Health Award 2016 was the announcement of ‘People’s Choice Awards’ won by Deepa Malik, first Indian woman to win a silver medal in Paralympic Games at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in the shot put category. The awardees of Dr Batra’s Positive Health Award 2016, included:
- Prerna Agarwal: a young girl who was diagnosed with glaucoma when she a 5 months old infant and lost her vision when she was just 10 months old. Today, Prerna has braved all odds and has gone on to be one of India’s singing sensations.
- Rekha Kumari: a charismatic woman who has struck with polio at the age of 2 that made it impossible for her to walk normally. However, she did not let physical disability stop her. Today, Rekha is a key campaigner for ‘World We Want’ and convener of the ‘National Forum of Children with Disabilities’.
- Sai Prasad: An energetic young boy was born with an additional growth in his spinal cord. On the 13th day of his birth, the doctors conducted an operation which was successful but unfortunately resulted in him losing complete sensation in the lower half of his body. From being denied admission in schools to going on to become an MBA from Indian School of Business and working as a risk consultant in US, he has done it all. Today, Sai is India’s first skydiver to have his name registered in the Limca Book of Records for being the first Indian with disability to skydive from 14,000 feet.
- Dhaval K: A young 14 year old boy who accidently touched a high tension electrical wire and lost both his arms. This young boy did not lose hope and with the help of his mother learned to write by fixing a pen in the stub of his arm. He soon discovered his flair for painting and is now a renowned artist.
- Mahantesh Mali infected by the deadly disease himself, Mahantesh too it on him to resolve and serve the children who were infected and affected by AIDs and HIV. Today, he runs Spandana (a network of support organisations) and a Belgaum-based hostel for children living with HIV
- Deepa Malik – Life took a twist for Deepa Malik when a spinal tumor made walking impossible, 16 years ago. She took to sports at the age of 36 and since then there was no looking back. She has represented our country in various International Championships and is the first Indian woman to win a silver medal in Paralympic Games 2016
Speaking on the awards Dr Mukesh Batra, Founder, Dr Batra’s™ Group of Companies said“Dr Batra’s™ Positive Health Awards was instituted 10 years ago with a sole objective to salute and honour achievers who have done exceptional work in their lives leaving behind their medical condition. We wanted the awards to inspire and aspire all those who are suffering from various illnesses and motivate them to live a fruitful life. Today we are proud that these awards have inspired so many of us to overcome difficulties and move forward in life. “
Speaking on the awards Bollywood diva Sonakshi Sinha said, “Firstly, I want to salute these amazing individuals who have led their lives as examples for all of us to follow. I would also like to congratulate Dr Mukesh Batra and Dr Akshay Batra for establishing such a unique event that is bound to inspire and change the way one looks at life. I am truly privileged to be standing amongst the real heroes who make a difference.”
The awards function also witnessed a spectacular live performance by Ability Unlimited, a therapeutic dance theater on Wheelchairs in India and a choir by Victoria Memorial School for the Blind.
