PM Modi greets Padma awardee KS Rajanna, social worker who lost arms, legs to polio
Mangalore Today News Network
New Delhi, May 11, 2024: On Thursday, President Droupadi Murmu bestowed Padma Shri upon Dr KS Rajanna, a dedicated social worker, who championed the cause of persons with disabilities. KS Rajanna lost his arms and legs to polio in his childhood.
A video showing Rajanna’s brief interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, before receiving the Padma Shri from the President, was shared by BJP MP Tejasvi Surya on X. He shared the video with a caption saying, “Lost hands & legs to polio as a kid, doesn’t give up, qualifies as mechanical engineer, goes on to win gold in paralympics, turns entrepreneur to give employment to many disabled people. He is Shri KS Rajanna from Karnataka, incredibly determined and resilient #PeoplesPadma.”
Lost hands & legs to polio as a kid, doesn’t give up, qualifies as mechanical engineer, goes on to win gold in paralympics, turns entrepreneur to give employment to many disabled people.
— Tejasvi Surya (ಮೋದಿಯ ಪರಿವಾರ) (@Tejasvi_Surya) May 9, 2024
He is Shri KS Rajanna from Karnataka, incredibly determined and resilient #PeoplesPadma pic.twitter.com/NUrOsCg4lp
The video acquired 614K views on X, and users expressed their heartfelt appreciation and praise for Rajanna. One user wrote, “he real minorities in India are getting their due recognition”. Another user added, “Sir really I salute him from my bottom of the heart. Simply great person”. A third user wrote, “Koti Koti Pranam to this Lion Soul … What a brilliant inspiration.”Rajanna’s determination to serve others has been unwavering. His resilience was evident when, during the ceremony, he declined assistance from a soldier, showcasing his self-reliant spirit.
Who is Dr KS Rajanna?
Dr Rajanna, who hails from Bengaluru, turned his physical limitations into his greatest motivation. He holds a diploma in mechanical engineering.
In the 2002 Paralympics, Rajanna won India a gold in discus throw and a silver in swimming. He is also an entrepreneur, and employs over 350 people, many of them persons with disabilities.
In 2013, Rajanna became the first disabled Karnataka State Commissioner for Person with Disabilities.
A total of 132 individuals were honoured with Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri for their remarkable contributions to society across various fields. Notable awardees include Vyjayantimala Bali, Konidela Chiranjeevi, former Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu, M Fathima Beevi, Hormusji N Cama, Mithun Chakraborty, Usha Uthup, and Kaluram Bamaniya, among others.
Courtesy: Indian Express