S. Ramakrishnan of Ayikudy, India, a quadriplegic man who runs one of that nation’s largest centers for the disabled has been chosen as one of the 18 finalists of “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute,†which celebrates ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary things. The show, hosted by CNN’s Anderson Cooper and Christiane Amanpour will air live globally on CNN/U.S., CNN International and CNN en Espanol on Dec. 6 at 9 p.m. The 18 honorees, each of whom have already been bestowed with a $10,000 cash prize, will be saluted at the Dec. 6 gala at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City that will include performances from Grammy Award winners Mary J. Blige and Sheryl Crow and a duet by Grammy Award winner Norah Jones and acclaimed performer-producer Wyclef Jean. Revealed during the telecast, the winner in each of the six categories will be awarded an additional $25,000.
Ramakrishnan is paralysed from the neck down. He can only sit up for four hours a day. For the rest of the time he lies on a bed unable to move. Even basic needs like wiping his nose have to be carried out by a nurse who rarely leaves his side.
Day to day living is a huge challenge for him, yet he has transformed the lives of thousands of disabled people in the towns and villages of Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu.
In 1975 Ramakrishnan was a promising engineering student. While travelling to an interview for naval officer selection, he met with an accident that changed his life for ever. As he lay paralysed in a hospital bed despairing for his future, his doctor talked about the work he might do to help other disabled people. When he returned home, Ramakrishnan decided to do just that.
The Amar Seva Sangam (named after the doctor) was established in 1981 but it was ten years later, when Ramakrishnan met chartered accountant Sankara Raman, that the project really took off. They put together a financial proposal and with Raman’s contacts attracted both national and international funding to build a centre for the disabled on a 30-acre site on the edge of Ramakrishnan’s village, Ayikudy.
The institution amar seva sangam has received numerous awards from the state and central governments and various NGOs. The most noteworthy award came in 2002 — the ‘Best Institution in the service of the disabled and uplift of rural poor’ — which was given by President A P J Abdul Kalam.
What is surprising is even CNN-BN is yet to show case him as a hero even after the announcement by CNN. The Tamil channels may not react till Hindu or junior viketan considers this as a news to discuss. or may be he will have to act in some film to enable him to be interviewed on pongal morning. Even the print media does not consider this as news. No one has published anything about the award. The announcement by CNN was on 26th November. And till 29th morning no one has news about it in India through Indian media. Hail India.
The photo above is of Mr. S.Ramakrishnan along with children in amar seva . See www.amarseva.org for more dtails.
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