Nipman Foundation presented first edition of the Equal Opportunity Awards in Delhi

Nipman Foundation, an organization that works to make India a barrier free country for the differently-abled, giving equal opportunity for all, recently presented the first edition of the Nipman Foundation Equal Opportunity Awards. Pravin Malhotra, chairman, Priyanka Malhotra, managing trustee and Nipun Malhotra, joint managing trustee attended the function.

Priyanka said, “When Nipun (her son) got 87% in Class X, he asked, ‘What about the other Nipuns who don’t have a mother like mine?’ So, I enrolled for a post graduate course in Psychology, joined Samarthyam and became an accessibility auditor. I audited the Parliament, the PMO, the Supreme Court, etc, and was also a part of the team that audited the Delhi Metro and made it barrier free.

To take this process further, this year, we have started the Nipman Foundation Equal Opportunity Awards, to recognize and encourage institutions to provide equal opportunity to all.”

Chief guest Stuti Kacker, secretary, Department of Disability Affairs, gave away the award in the field of education to Nipun’s alma mater, St Stephen’s college, while the Lemon Tree hotels won the award in the field of employment. A book for young children that sensitizes them on how to interact with a differently-abled person was also launched at the event. Stuti said, “What I talk about on every platform is that the country needs to employ people with disability. Economic empowerment is the key to dignity. Once a person is perceived to be a contributing member of the society, the respect for the person increases.” The evening also saw a music performance by differently-abled students of St Stephen’s college, and a skit by Miranda House students that won an inter college competition for visually challenged students.