Students of Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan Win Awards at the ‘People First Specially Abled Achievers Award 2015’

At a recently held award function ‘People First Specially Abled Achievers Award 2015’, organized by Peoples First Foundation, Shrey Kadian and Zeenat Ara of Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan (An initiative of The Ponty Chadha Foundation) were felicitated with ‘Excellence’ award in ‘Sports’ and ‘Creative’ category respectively. Held at FICCI Auditorium, the event highlighted the achievements of the differently-abled people with an aim to acknowledge their issues and mobilize support for their dignity, rights and well-being.

Shrey Kadian is a student of Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan since 2002. He is a handsome young boy with intellectual impairment. He has represented the school in cricket and soft ball on different platforms and formats of the sport across the globe. He won ‘bronze’ medal in soft ball competition at the National games and ‘silver’ medal in cricket, while representing India at the ‘Special Olympics Asia Pacific Regional Games 2013-14’ held in Australia. Recently, as a Vice Captain of the Softball team of India, he won Gold medal at the Special Olympics world games held at Los Angeles in 2015. He is very enthusiastic and ambitious student and a wonderful dancer.

Zeenat Ara, is a multiple challenged girl yet cheerful and ever smiling student of Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan who inspires others with her abilities and fighting spirit. She has recently published her autobiography, “The Real Fighter: Zeenat Ara”, where she has written of her silent battle against the disease. It provides an insight to her vivacious character. The book is a 118 pager, rudimentary script of acknowledging and appreciating her life. It is her effort to increase awareness of SMA, which is a rare genetic disorder in India.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Vandana Sharma, Director, Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan said, “Such awards are a great way to encourage the special children and to build their confidence & self-belief. These children are a testament to the fact that they are capable of doing wonders in any field, provided they get our support, empathy and a lot of care & love. We, at all levels should work towards breaking the prevailing attitudinal barriers towards these specially –abled children. We congratulate both the students and feel very proud on their achievements.”

The event witnessed great participation from people from all walks of life. The award function was graced with performances by Vinod Thakur, Jay Chhaniyara, Karan Oberoi and a special Kathak dance performance by Tribhuwan Maharaj. The children of Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan too gave group dance performances at the function.

About Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan

With the vision of enabling the disabled, Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan, an initiative of Late Mr. Ponty Chadha, WAVE Group was established for the differently-abled children in the society. The institution was founded in 1999, with a special endeavor to educate and equip special children to live within the community. The school is one of the very few private rehabilitation institutions, which provides gratuitous service to over 1000 students (free of cost), subjugating the cash-strapped society.

Spread over a huge expanse of 2 acres, MBCN is the largest day-care special school. Students are endowed with free hearing aids, wheel chairs, crutches, uniform, stationary and bus-transport, fostering independence for daily living skills in real life settings.

About The Ponty Chadha Foundation

The Ponty Chadha Foundation was set-up in the memory of Late Chairman Mr. Gurdeep (Ponty) Singh Chadha of the WAVE Group, led by his wife Mrs. Jatinder Kaur Chadha, to work for the general welfare of the society. The Foundation aims to channelize its capabilities towards social and economic development of the society at large and help the needy, underprivileged and weaker sections of the society irrespective of differences in caste, creed, colour, sex or religion. Its endeavour is to impart education, medical relief and food to the deprived through food bank.

The Ponty Chadha Foundation keeps community service in the forefront and is committed to work for alleviating the common social challenges faced by the poor and the otherwise neglected sections. It is dedicatedly working towards the upliftment of the society, by regularly conducting free medical check-up camps and food drives. The most remarkable contribution by The Ponty Chadha Foundation is establishment of MBCN – Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan, the school for the differently-abled.