Chennai: CavinKare Pvt. Ltd., in partnership with Ability Foundation, organised the 24th CavinKare Ability Awards 2026, celebrating five exceptional achievers with disabilities from across India. The ceremony spotlighted individuals whose journeys have challenged barriers, reshaped perceptions, and driven meaningful societal change.
Eminent dignitaries including Deepika T.C, captain of the World Cup-winning Indian blind women’s cricket team, and Thanya Nathan, who is set to become Kerala’s first blind judge, attended the event and felicitated the awardees, reinforcing the importance of inclusion across sectors.
The evening also featured a musical concert by Purushothaman, winner of the 2023 Sa Re Ga Ma Pa music reality show, and classical musician Abinaya Shenbagaraj, with sign language interpretation underscoring the commitment to total inclusion in the arts.
Established in 2003, the CavinKare Ability Awards have honoured more than 100 individuals with disabilities for their contributions across fields. The awards are presented under two categories: the CavinKare Ability Award for Eminence, recognising institution-builders creating transformative social impact; and the CavinKare Ability Mastery Awards, celebrating excellence and leadership across professions.
Commenting on the occasion, CK Ranganathan, Chairman and Managing Director, CavinKare Pvt. Ltd., said, “It is truly inspiring to see how individuals with disabilities continue to redefine excellence by rising above constraints and creating their own milestones. By honouring these worthy recipients, we recognise journeys that go beyond personal achievement to create a powerful ripple effect, driving meaningful societal change and strengthening the conversation around inclusion. The CavinKare Ability Awards celebrate this courage, determination, and exceptional talent, and we are honoured to spotlight stories that challenge assumptions and inspire communities to think differently. This initiative reflects our commitment to building a society where potential is never limited by perception, and where everyone is encouraged to aspire, excel, and go further than imagined.”
Congratulating the recipients, Jayshree Raveendran, Founder & Hon. Executive Director, Ability Foundation, said, “For 24 remarkable and amazing years, we have been fortunate to have been able to showcase the true potential of individuals with disabilities. An immensely rewarding journey, indeed. Each year, we witness the profound impact of our mission, as we continue to honour those who break barriers and inspire change.
Right from the nomination stages uptill witnessing the difficulty faced by our esteemed jury members in selecting the recipients, is a testament to the exceptional quality of nominees we receive year after year. Each nominee not only brings in their own unique story but also represents the potential for growth and success within the disability sector making the whole process a gratifying experience for everyone involved.
As we move forward, our commitment to empowering & including people with disabilities remains steadfast. We continue our mission to amplify voices that need to be heard in order to smoothen the path for a more inclusive future.”
Awardees – CavinKare Ability Awards 2026
CavinKare Ability Special Recognition Award
Sunil Jain, Founder Trustee and Chief Enabler of ASTHA, Bengaluru, Karnataka
CavinKare Ability Award for Eminence
Dr. Jitender Aggarwal, Founder, Sarthak Educational Trust, Gurugram, Haryana
CavinKare Ability Mastery Awards
Arivuraja Thangavelu, Entrepreneur, Tamil Nadu
Shiv Kumar Sharma, Disability Rights Advocate, Chandigarh
Chandra Mouli Dwarapureddy, Corporate Professional, Andhra Pradesh
With this year’s edition, CavinKare reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to inclusion, dignity, and empowerment, strengthening the narrative that ability transcends barriers and continues to redefine excellence in modern India.
