MUMBAI, November 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
Celebrating 11 glorious years of the triumph of human spirit, Dr Batra's™ Positive Health Awards 2017 presented by Bajaj V recognized five heroes who have exemplified extraordinary courage in their fight against disease and disability by emerging victorious and creating a positive impact on society. The glittering award ceremony was held on November 9th, 2017 at the majestic Royal Opera House, Mumbai.
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Speaking at the award ceremony, Padma Shri recipient Dr. Mukesh Batra, Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Dr Batra's™ Group of Companies, said, "Through the Positive Health Awards which is in its 11th year, our endeavour is to support and recognize the perseverance of these real life heroes who are shining beacons to the society, displaying their unyielding grit and determination. We raise a toast to their unbreakable spirit and never-say-die attitude and salute these amazing individuals who have led their lives as examples for all of us to follow."
"Through our foundation, we've been supporting the underprivileged with their medical, educational and nutritional needs. Last year, we provided mid-day meals for over a lakh students and this year we have pledged to provide free treatments to over a lakh patients. The larger vision of the foundation in future is 'one for one treatment', i.e., for every paid treatment, we will provide free treatment to the underprivileged," Dr. Mukesh Batra further added.
Rajiv Bajaj - MD, Bajaj Auto, said, "I've always felt it's been a great privilege to be associated with these awards. Dr Batra, if I may so, is a world-champion of homeopathy and has single-handedly got homeopathy to millions of people. Thank you Dr Batra, as always, for giving us this opportunity to support the awards."
This year's awardees referred to as 'Positive Health Heroes' include individuals from all walks of life who have defied the odds and proven that 'Nothing is impossible'. Their inspirational stories have not only struck an emotional chord with the jury but also captivated the audiences leaving many teary-eyed. These heroes are: Noori Salem - a HIV-positive transwoman who runs a shelter for abandoned HIV-positive children, Bharat Kumar - the one armed swimmer who has bagged 50 medals making India proud, Preethi Srinivasan - a quadriplegic who reaches out to disabled individuals through her NGO enabling educational and employment opportunities for them, Bhavesh Bhatia - a visually challenged entrepreneur who started out as a street vendor but today runs a successful company and has provided employment to over 2,000 blind people and Sai Kaustuv Dasgupta who bagged the People's Choice Award by garnering over two lakh votes on social media. With 90% disability due to a rare brittle bone disease called Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Sai Kaustuv was not deterred from becoming a singer, graphic designer and motivational speaker.
A set of high profile and eminent personalities like Union Cabinet Minister for Women & Child Development - Maneka Gandhi; acclaimed filmmaker - R Balki; Rajiv Bajaj - MD, Bajaj Auto; Actor Vivek Oberoi and Dr. Mukesh Batra were the esteemed panel of jury for the awards.
The winners were felicitated with a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh, trophy and a certificate. These awards were presented by the recipient of the first Positive Health Awards 2006 - Varsha Kewalramani; recipient of Dr. Mukesh Batra Homeopathy Scholarship - Dr. Pournima Kisan Badkar; patient of Dr Batra's™ free clinic - Rajendra Anant Atre and other beneficiaries of the Dr Batra's™ Foundation.
Varsha Kewalramani battled EBD (a rare and incurable condition affecting the skin and other organs making the skin extremely fragile) and its challenges to become an accomplished lawyer. Daughter of an auto rickshaw driver, Dr. Pournima Kisan Badkar's dream was fulfilled by Dr. Mukesh Batra Homeopathy Scholarship. Rajendra Anant Atre, a beneficiary of Dr Batra's™ Free clinic overcame his depression and anxiety within two months of his treatment and could get back to work.
Over the last 10 years Dr Batra's™ has celebrated the indomitable spirit of 'Real Heroes'. It has boosted the courage, confidence and self-belief of these Heroes who have gone on to achieve significant milestones. Ms. Deepa Malik Positive Health Hero 2012 won the silver medal in the Rio Paralympics 2016; Mr. Girish Gogia, Positive Health Hero 2013 was awarded the Karmaveer chakra medallion by International Confederation of NGOs and the United Nations in 2015; Ms. Arunima Sinha Positive Health Hero 2014 was awarded Padma Shree in 2015 and Ms. Laxmi, Positive Health Hero 2014, walked the ramp at London Fashion Week 2016.
About Dr Batra's Foundation:
Dr Batra's™ Positive Health Foundation, a CSR arm of Dr Batra's Group of Companies, has been making a profound difference to the lives of many orphans, handicapped children and the elderly. The Foundation currently runs over 175 Free Clinics across the country and additionally provides free treatment to partner NGO's. It also conducts CSR activities in a number of institutions such as Victoria Memorial School for the blind, Shepherd Widow's Home, Mercy Old Age Home, Anurag Services (Old Age Home), Action India and People for Animals. It also grants scholarships to deserving students who wish to pursue studies in the Homeopathy but cannot afford the fees. Every year, it honors, with its Positive Health Awards, individuals who have created medical miracles through the demonstration of their instinct for survival, courage and will power, beaten the odds and recovered from seemingly irrecoverable conditions, to lead normal, healthy lives.
Media Contact:
Bryna Braganza
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Dr Batra's
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