Selfless acts of positive Indians

Fourteen Indians, who are working to improve lives of others, were felicitated recently

Has India turned out out be a place where corruptions, scams and crimes are defining its contours? Apparently, the answer is - 'Yes'! we are facing political conflicts, a steep rise in the number of graft cases and scandals that are surfacing like termites from woodwork. Despite all this, there are many Indians who are making concerted efforts to bring positive changes in the society.

Bringing those faces to light, is CNN-IBN in partnership with Jaypee Group, which recently felicitated 14 such Indians from different parts of the country, who are selflessly trying to improve the lives of the others.

Delving into India's hidden resources that protects the agonised, makes peace among communities, gives platform to the voiceless and tries to bring out possibility of growth in every sector, India Positive Awards, held recently in the City, awarded such Indians for their work.

Applauding winners and setting up a positive mood before commencing ceremony, prominent Bollywood singer Dominique Cerejo, known for Yeh Tumahri Meri Baatein (Rock On), sang Sooraj ki Bahoon Mein and Khawbon ke parindey from Zindagi Na Milegi Doobara.

Braveheart Hasina Kharbhih from Shillong, Meghalaya was amongst inspirational Indians felicitated by Anil Kumble, who was invited as guest of honour. She has been constantly working for last three years to give a normal life to children trafficked from Assam, Nepal and Bangladesh, and are forced to work in coal mines.

Dedicating the awards to her team, Hasina says, “Through our initiative, we want the government and coal miners to take action against child trafficking."  Other inspirational women who were awarded include - Dr Lata Venkataram and Dr Prabha Ramakrishna of Bangalore, for starting  a maternity hospital for the poor; Dr Hetal Thukaria of Mumbai, who started Beyond Smiles Foundation to help destitute kids.

Justice Markendey Katju and Olympian Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore as chief guest and guest of honour also appreciated the winners for playing key roles, which will help bring a positive change in society and awarded Undying Spirit Award to acid victim Sonali Mukherjee. Sonali has been fighting to bring her assailants to justice and wants stricter laws to deal with acid attack cases.

The Special Achievement Awards were presented to Colonel DPK Pillay who saved lives of two critically injured children in a Manipur village; Manohar Aich, the 100-years old former Mr Universe from Kolkata, who still pursues his passion of body building and stands as a sport icon for many, and Vir Menon, the first Indian sailor to have ever qualified into the Gold Fleet of Laser 4.7 Worlds.

Delhi-based engineer, Aakash Sinha was felicitated for making robots for DRDO and ISRO to tackle situations like 26/11 Mumbai attacks. “When I was in the U.S., I noticed so many critical projects being mentored by Indian scientists, who unfortunately do not get much scope and opportunity in our country. So I decided to come to India and find a way out and build robots for a much more positive and secure purpose for the Indian armed forces,” says Aakash, who runs Omnipresent Tech.

Other inspirational Indian who were awarded-Suresh Nandmehar (Madhya Pradesh), Mushtaq Ahmed Sheikh and team (Jammu and Kashmir), Rajesh Kothwal (Hyderabad), Jyotinivas Sinha  (Patna), Biju Varghese(Kerala) and Rajeev Kher (Pune).