PNS | DEHRADUN
An award-winning writer-director in the Hindi and Malayalam film industries from the Doon Valley, Ajay Govind has been presented with the 25th NCPEDP-Helen Keller Award in Category B – Role Model Supporter of Employment Opportunity for Disabled People. This has come in recognition of his efforts to make storytelling a powerful force for inclusion and empowerment for the persons with disabilities, unlocking their potential to shape narratives that challenge stereotypes and drive change.
He said that as the co-founder of Words Rhythms Images (WRI), he has been taking initiatives that blend storytelling and technology to create employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. He also mentioned his flagship initiative, Digital Storytellers for Social Change (DiSSC), co-developed with his partner Remya Sasindran. “It has equipped individuals across India and internationally to tell their own stories using mobile phones. We have conducted workshops in over 13 Indian cities and globally in Bangkok and Baguio. This has empowered persons with disabilities to transition from storytellers to skilled professionals,” he said.
Asked to speak more about his work, he said: “Stories have the ability to break barriers and bring about empathy. Through my work, I’ve realised that people with disabilities are already natural storytellers. With the right tools and training, they can turn their raw talent into refined professional skills. This award from NCPEDP inspires me to continue building a community of storytellers, one story at a time, and I am deeply grateful for this recognition.”
The executive director of NCPEDP, Arman Ali highlighted the larger vision of Helen Keller Awards, stating: “Inclusion is not just a checkbox but a commitment to transforming society. People with disabilities represent a vast pool of untapped talent that can enrich our workplaces and communities. People like Ajay Govind prove that with vision and action, we can build a more equitable and empowered workforce.”
He added that the NCPEDP-Helen Keller Awards, which have been celebrating champions of disability inclusion since 1999, mark their 25th year.
