The Shell Helen Keller awards given away by External Affairs Minister Salman Khursheed in New Delhi on Sunday to the people and institutions in service of differently abled persons.

Speaking on the occasion, External Affairs Minister said, “All the organisations associated with the cause are doing a great human as well as national service, by probably adding a percentage to GDP by bringing in hidden talents of those who have been neglected and kept away from opportunities.”

The Awards ceremony held in New Delhi on the eve of the World’s Disability Day saw individuals with disability being recognised for their achievements in their field of work.

Hearing-impaired Sangeeta Gala, who trained actor Ranbir Kapoor for ‘Barfi’ and has worked with noted film-makers like Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Mani Ratnam, was honoured for being a role model for people with disability.

Other awardees included physically challenged Abdul Sajeed Ali for his efforts in ensuring work for disabled people under MNREGA in Andhra Pradesh; Radhika Chand, a painter and teacher with Down syndrome, and Ketan Kothari, who has facilitated access to printed words to visually impaired.

In the ‘Role Model Non-Disabled Individuals’ category, the awardees were Ishita Sanyal for promoting employment of mentally-ill people and R. Hari for making his Lemon Tree Hotels an inclusive workplace.