People of Value

G J Nivedita

‘Eighteen-year-old G J Nivedita is a Bharatanatyam dancer who has given 30 public performances so far, but what is commendable is that she has achieved it despite being spastic. She also suffers from loss of speech and hearing.

Nivedita, along with five other women, were conferred the ‘Best Physically Challenged Women’ award by Industrialist Katta Subramanyam Naidu at an event organised by Foundation for Art Culture for Deaf.

Nivedita started learning dance when she was just eight years. Her aunt used to teach her Bharatanatyam. Her mother Rama Jagannath - a classical singer used to sing for Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancers. “She picked up dance by observing dancers,” says Rama. She has participated in the All-India Ability Utsav, World Disabled Day and Open Cultural Competition for Disabled.

Source: Disability no handicap for these women. Deccan Herald, Daily, Bangalore, 19 March 2007.

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Amba Prabhala

Amba Prabhala (30), who suffers from a sensory loss in both her limbs and a congenital neurological disorder, was also among those felicitated. She has been swimming for the last 12 years and has competed in the City-level swimming competitions. She has worked with Mobility India, Concern for Working Children and in Office of Commissioner for Disability.

She currently works with VOICES, an NGO. Her dream? She wants to set up an NGO to help those with any kind of disability.

Source: Disability no handicap for these women. Deccan Herald, Daily, Bangalore, 19 March 2007.

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Geetha

Polio-affected Geetha (55) says the award has shouldered her with a bigger responsibility of getting involved with social causes. She is working with Margadarshi Association for the Handicapped, an organization working for the disabled.

Source: Disability no handicap for these women. Deccan Herald, Daily, Bangalore, 19 March 2007.

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