National award for mother of city disability activist

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 4

Written off as severely handicapped by doctors, who said he wouldn’t even be able to walk for the rest of his life, Jalandhar-based Vivek Joshi (37) today stands tall owing to the efforts of his parents.

Recognising the contribution of his mother Kaushalya Joshi (64), the government is awarding her with the Best Icon Mother Award - Vayoshreshtha Samman. She would be awarded by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment at a national level function on October 9.

Joshi was born with 100 per cent physical impairment and written off by doctors in Amritsar as well as the AIIMS. He also suffered mental retardation and cerebral palsy. It was the sheer grit and determination of his parents owing to which he pursued BA, LLB and LLB MBA. He is currently pursuing a degree in social work. He also works for the welfare of people with disabilities.

Speaking of her initial experiences, Kaushalya Joshi said, “It was very sad at first when doctors told us that things were not going to work out. We knew that we wouldn’t give up without a fight to ensure a good education for him. We started a therapy for him at Hauz Khas. He was also operated upon eight times. His first surgery took place when he was nine years old. Our first ray of hope came when he started walking. Eventually, we began sending him to a normal school and from there onwards, there was no looking back.”

Vivek Joshi, while speaking to The Tribune, said, “My parents sent me to a special school initially, but seeing things were not up to the mark, they shifted me to a normal school. Since then they ensured every possible means to make me feel normal and important. They arranged therapy for me and ensured I got writers. I have always been a special child for them.”

While he also penned a book in 2014 — Lafz Masoom — which was released by former President APJ Abdul Kalam, Vivek also received national award for the same.

Vivek’s father Subhash Joshi, who is proud of his son’s achievement, said, “God gave us a responsibility in the form of my son. He is a special gift from God, serving whom is our duty. It has been a great joy watching him prosper. His mother has made many sacrifices for him and it is a great reward seeing she has been chosen for the award.”