Majestically
seated on her wheel chair she has climbed high mountains challenges with great
serenity. While many of us having no physical disability whatsoever have
demonstrated our disinclination to take up any worthwhile challenge in life,
she continues radiating the glow of a flame that symbolizes the indomitability
of her mind. Dr Sruti Mohapatra had
a brilliant academic career.
She
holds a PhD degree in Developmental Biology and was the topper & Gold
Medalist in MSc. She qualified in the
Civil Services Examination in 1987 in Group A (Allied Service). While getting
ready to commence her career in public service in the Government of India, she
met with a terrible car accident as a result of which she was severely injured
and the lower part of her body was paralyzed.
Sruti, however, was bold enough to push behind the terrible trauma the
road accident caused. Since 1987 till 1996 she taught civil service aspirants
in training programmers’ sponsored by the Government of India and Government of
Orissa. Thereafter till 2007, as the Director of Orissa IAS Study Circle, a
career counseling and tutorial centre for students, she successfully trained
more than 300 students who now occupy various positions in government, banks,
research institutes, universities and other services (Indian Civil services,
Indian Forest services, Indian Economics Services, Orissa Civil Services etc.).
I counted her as entrepreneur as she is
founder of “AnJaLi” . ANJALI aims at
the holistic development of artistic skills and using this as a medium of
learning in elementary schools. ANJALI has successfully taught history through
theater, local culture through dances, literature through puppetry, importance
of inclusion through music and science through outdoor trips.
Another worthy initiative of hers has been the creation of ORISSA STATE
DISABILITY NETWORK (OSDN). OSDN is a network of organizations and individuals
in Orissa which promotes local advocacy groups and builds leadership in the
disability sector; facilitates local advocacy groups to join hands with
district level groups to eventually form a State wide Network that will act as
a pressure group to influence meaningful policies at various levels – village,
block, district state and national, regarding persons with disabilities;
empowers disabled people and organizations and to sensitize other concerned
sectors through systematic information dissemination on disability related
issues like legislation, relevant policies, research findings and current developments.
Her activities have been widely appreciated. Many organizations have honored
her. In National Symposium in Developmental Biology 1992, she was honored with
the National Young Scientist Award. Orissa Journalists Association recognized
her as the Woman of the Year 1995; Orissa Branch of National Women’s Organizations
recognized her as the Outstanding Person in 1997. She received the Red Cross
Award, the Highest State Award for Disabled Achievers in 2001. CNN –IBN honored
her with Real Heroes Award in 2010. With such achievements she has been a role
model for thousands. It is my earnest desire that this outstanding personality
receives national recognition in a more meaningful way. Hers certainly is a
deserving case for consideration for an appropriate Padma Award.
