NE NEWS SERVICE
COIMBATORE, DEC 29
Rotary Coimbatore 3201 recently organized a felicitation ceremony honoring RTN J Swarnalatha, Founder of Swarga Foundation, for her distinguished achievement in receiving the Sarvshresth Divyangjan Award.
On 3 December 2023, coinciding with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, she received the Sarvshresth Divyangjan Award from the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
Swarnalatha had been selected for the annual National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. She was selected from 690 nominations from across India.
Swarnalatha J is an Asia Book of Records Holder, 5 times TEDX Speaker, disability rights activist, singer, photographer, motivational speaker and winner of Mrs. India Beauty Pageant (South) in She often writes short stories and can speak about 10 languages. She is the founder and managing trustee of Swarga Foundation, an NGO to support those affected with neuromuscular disorders and various disabilities.
She works in the areas of accessible Transport, accessible infrastructure, rehabilitation, counselling, awareness and inclusion. Through Swarga Foundation, she started Sarathi, Tamilnadu’s first taxi service for senior citizens and people with disabilities. Swarga Foundation also made police commissioner’s office, railway station and 10 government schools in Coimbatore, wheelchair friendly. Sowkhya Pain Rehab Clinic, their flagship project has provided free physiotherapy services, Ayurveda and counselling to more than 20,000 patients. She is the recipient of more than 35 awards and recognitions across India, the noteworthy ones being, Cavin care Ability Award for Eminence, Seiyyal Puyal Award by Aval Vikatan, Dr. Batra’s People’s Choice Award, Changemaker Award by Tata Steel Foundation, etc.
Swarga Foundation oversees more than 10 projects, each providing various forms of support, including counselling, medical reimbursements, enhancing accessibility in public spaces, rehabilitation, conducting free wellness camps for the underprivileged, awareness programmes, and offering travel solutions specifically designed for senior citizens and individuals with mobility impairments through their Sarathi initiative.
The foundation also produces special calendars annually, showcasing PwDs from various fields. This year, the foundation has introduced the I’m Special Calendar 2024, featuring soldiers and officers from the Armed Forces who became differently-abled in the line of duty.
“Often, people casually acknowledge the armed forces for protecting us in the line of duty without truly contemplating the sacrifices they make. But we decided to take a step forward and connect with these individuals. We visited the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre in Khadki, Pune. It was an emotional moment for them – to know that people care about them,” says Swarnalatha , the singer and beauty pageant winner.
The felicitation was carried out by Rotary Coimbatore 3201, led by District Coordinator RTN. MD S Gokul Raj. The esteemed gathering was included with the presence of regional secretary RTN. Maruthachalam & Assistant Governors RTN. Murali R, RTN. Ankitha Dinesh, RTN. Illango B, RTN. Ramesh V, RTN Justin prem Kumar, RTN. Sriramulu N, RTN. Sampath Kumar, RTN. S Sathish, RTN. Trishala Kumari, RTN. Kumar, RTN. Sunku Radesh Kumar, AND RTN. Venkat Swaminathan. The event was attended by all presidents, secretaries, and GRRs.
