User:Sudipa Biswas/sandbox

= Madhu Singhal =

Ms. Madhu Singhal, who is visually impaired, won National Award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in 2008. She is the founder of Mitra Jyothi which is an incredible organization serving people with disabilities. She was born in Harayana and spent her early life there. She studied Masters in Hindustani Classical Music. She has got honorary doctorate by Vijayapura Women’s University, Karnataka in 2015.

Early life and education
Ms. Madhu Singhal was born in Harayana. Doctors advised that there was no treatment available to help her disability. She was brilliant as a student and her parents became her biggest support. A Braille teacher was arranged at home to guide her with her studies. She got a complete normal upbringing and a good education. After Class 6, she moved to a regular school to continue with her studies. She completed her graduation (B.A.) with 1st Division and was selected “The Best All Rounder Student” from ‘Vaish Women College’, Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak (Haryana), and completed M.A. with 1st Division with specialization in Hindustani Classical Vocal Music from Government College for Women, Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak (Haryana). Karnataka State Women’s University, Vijayapura bestowed upon her the honorary Degree of Doctor of Literature on 3rd March 2015 in recognition of her significant contributions for the welfare of persons with disabilities by designing various programs.

Personal Life:
Immediately completing her Masters, she went through a tough period of life. Her father left the world due to a heart attack. She came down to Kanpur to stay with her brother who was having a business in Kanpur. During her stay in Kanpur, she made a lot of pen pals who also had some disabilities. Due to pursuing her education in a normal school she got less chance to come across the life of other disabled persons. She stayed in Kanpur for 4 years. After that she was invited to Bangalore by her brother-in-law Mr. G. P. Gowal to look for a career here. After coming to Bangalore she learnt Kannada and started working for her brother-in-law’s dream project “Mitra Jyothi”

Mitra Jyothi:
Madhu Singhal is the Managing Trustee/Founder of Mitra Jyothi which is a charitable trust registered under Indian Trust Act. She established Mitra Jyothi in 1990 along with the support of 8 other individuals including her brother-in-law Mr. G. P. Gowal. Her dedication and selfless service to Mitra Jyothi has been recognized worldwide. Many programs are being conducted in Mitra Jyothi include Talking Book Library, Computer Training Center, Independent Living Skills, Braille Transcription Center and Job Placement. It received State Award in 2010 from the Directorate of Disabled Welfare and Senior Citizens, Government of Karnataka for its service for persons with disabilities. Mitra Jyothi is also a member of the DAISY Forum of India(DFI). It also conducts residential course for visually impaired women. The Independent Living Skills course included mobility and orientation, home management and maintenance, crafts, self-defence skills, personality development, health and hygiene.

Positions Held:

 * ·     Founder and Managing Trustee of Mitra Jyothi since 1990.
 * ·     Life Member of Association of People with Disability.
 * ·     General Secretary of Daisy Forum of India.
 * ·     Held the position of Chairperson of the Women’s Committee of Asian Blind Union from 2008 – 2012.
 * ·     Life Member of National Association for the Blind, Bangalore.
 * ·     Executive Member of Sampark Bangalore.
 * ·     Member of World Blind Union and Asian Blind Union through National Federation of the Blind from 2000.
 * ·     National Executive Committee Member of the National Federation of the Blind, Karnataka Branch.
 * ·     National coordinator of Women with visual impairment

Major Awards:

 * Sarojini Trilok Nath Award for the service of people of visually impairment in December 2016 on International Day of Person with Disability.
 * Honored with a Degree of Doctor of Literature by Karnataka State Women’s University, Vijayapura, on 3rd March 2015 in recognition of her significant contributions for the welfare of persons with disabilities by designing various programs.
 * Long Service Achievement Award “Saksham” to promote & protect the rights of women with disabilities presented by Bharatiya Janata Party Mahila Morcha on 8th October 2011 in New Delhi.
 * “Sadguru Gnanananda Award” in the category Woman Social Entrepreneur, for empowering the visually impaired in 2011 at Chennai.
 * IBN7 Bajaj Allianz Super Idols Award in recognition of the extraordinary work in the field of education for persons with visual impairment in 2010.
 * National Award for outstanding performance in the field of empowerment of persons with disabilities  on 3rd December 2008 by the Vice President of India
 * Zee Astitva Award by Zee Telefilms Ltd and Archana Trust Suburban in 2005.
 * State Award by Directorate of Women and Child Welfare and Senior Citizen in 2004.
 * Shell Helen Keller Award by National Center for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), at New Delhi in 2001
 * Lalchand Milapchand Dadha Award in 2001 at Chennai by Mukti Foundation.
 * Neelam Khurshid Kanga award by National Association for The Blind in 1996 at Mumbai.