PRPS STARS
PRPS is proud to have been part of lives and success of persons with disabilities who are an inspiration to entire human kind. While the list is long enough, below are the summary of some individuals that had created an impact on the society by overcoming all the odds.
SADHAN GUPTA
Ex Member of Parliament, Govt. of India
Sadhan Gupta is the first disabled and blind Member of Parliament of India and Member of Legislative Assembly of West Bengal and the first disabled Advocate General of West Bengal State. He was also a leading advocate at Calcutta High Court. He passed matriculate examination from Calcutta Blind School in the pre-independent India and stood ranked. He further graduated with first class from Presidency College, Calcutta, after which he went on to become Bar-at-Law i.e. Barrister. He was the president of PRPS for over 20 years. He was till demise, one of the most active members of the organization and was an ardent advocate of equal rights and opportunities for disabled.
In his own words-
“ I have the experience of more than 83 years of total blindness, experience of growing up with relations in a family, school, college and university for about 15 years, participation in student movement for 6 years, in trade unions for over 40 years, in public life as a legislator in the State and Centre for about 10 years and in the legal profession for about 60 years. All this time and all these while I have kept my eyes wide open. From this varied experience, I have come to be convinced that most handicapped persons can contribute to the society in various fields as like normal individuals. I am not suggesting for a moment that every handicapped person is brilliant, but then most non-handicapped persons are also not brilliant. A society needs to be enriched by the contribution of all. In case of the handicapped, the society is deprived of the contribution, not because of their lack of ability, but because of the tradition of thousands of years, which was not corrected until some hundred years ago.
ASUDUR RAHMAN BAIDYA
First Disabled English Channel Swimmer
Masudur Rahman Baidya was the first disabled two leg amputated English Channel Winner Swimmer of the world, a feat he achieved in 1997. After four years, in 2001 he created history by crossing the Strait of Gibraltar. For this, he had to swim from Tarifa islands in Spain to shores of Morocco, a total distance of 22 kms.
Born in a poor family from North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, Masudur lost his two legs in a rail accident during his boyhood. But he never lost his battle against life and became an icon not only to the disabled people but to the entire society.
PRPS is proud to have contributed immensely in his life journey. Masudur was also the Vice President of PRPS from 2000 till his demise. Masudur was a real-life hero for many in the country. His admirers were many from both Indian and international sports. The Indian Cricket legend ‘Sachin Tendulkar’ is one of the admirers of Masudur. In a tribute, Sachin said “People like Masudur are the real heroes, and their life is like an inspiration to all of us”. PRPS has honored Masudur with a biography written by its General Secretary, Mr Kanti Ganguly. The book was published on 2016 at Kolkata Book Festival.
In his own words-
“It is absolutely possible for people with physical disabilities to do things better than normal people, but you have to be dedicated to your cause.” (Please call 90072 10003 to order your copy of the biography of Masudur Rahman Baidya.
ASUDUR RAHMAN BAIDYA
First Disabled English Channel Swimmer
Masudur Rahman Baidya was the first disabled two leg amputated English Channel Winner Swimmer of the world, a feat he achieved in 1997. After four years, in 2001 he created history by crossing the Strait of Gibraltar. For this, he had to swim from Tarifa islands in Spain to shores of Morocco, a total distance of 22 kms.
Born in a poor family from North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, Masudur lost his two legs in a rail accident during his boyhood. But he never lost his battle against life and became an icon not only to the disabled people but to the entire society.
PRPS is proud to have contributed immensely in his life journey. Masudur was also the Vice President of PRPS from 2000 till his demise. Masudur was a real-life hero for many in the country. His admirers were many from both Indian and international sports. The Indian Cricket legend ‘Sachin Tendulkar’ is one of the admirers of Masudur. In a tribute, Sachin said “People like Masudur are the real heroes, and their life is like an inspiration to all of us”. PRPS has honored Masudur with a biography written by its General Secretary, Mr Kanti Ganguly. The book was published on 2016 at Kolkata Book Festival.
In his own words-
“It is absolutely possible for people with physical disabilities to do things better than normal people, but you have to be dedicated to your cause.” (Please call 90072 10003 to order your copy of the biography of Masudur Rahman Baidya.
PRASANTA KARMAKAR
Arjuna Awardee (the highest sports honour in India)
Arjuna Awardee, Major Dhyan Chand Sports Awardee, Bhim Awardee, Kolkata Shree Awardee, State Role Model Awardee, Super Idol Awardee, Positive Health Hero Awardee, Achiever Awardee, Limca Book Record Holder, Swimmer of the year Award 2010, 2011, 2014. 2003, Karmakar became the first disabled swimmer to represent the country and win a medal at the World Swimming Championships in Argentina. The above list of awards including the highest sports honor of India “Arjuna Award” is evident enough to depict Prasanta. PRPS is proud to be associated with Prasanta since his early days.
RINKU BISWAS
Rinku Biswas, the visually impaired singing talent was first noticed at the “Talent Search” programme organised by PRPS in 2005. Noticing the talent, PRPS assisted her with finances and opportunities to procure aids and perform at larger stages. She grew from being a programme based singer to be a play back singer at Bollywood. She is one of the common names in the music stage circuit of West Bengal.
RINKU BISWAS
Rinku Biswas, the visually impaired singing talent was first noticed at the “Talent Search” programme organised by PRPS in 2005. Noticing the talent, PRPS assisted her with finances and opportunities to procure aids and perform at larger stages. She grew from being a programme based singer to be a play back singer at Bollywood. She is one of the common names in the music stage circuit of West Bengal.
ARIJIT SINGHA ROY
Arijit Dutta, with 100 percent sensory neural hearing loss lives in a speech and language less world. He passed matriculate examination from Helen Keller Badhir Vidyalaya, a special school for hearing impaired students managed by Paschimbanga Rajya Pratibandhi Sammilani. With the assistance of our organization, he completed Bachelor of Visual Arts from Rabindra Bharati University and completed Master of Visual Arts from Viswa Bharati University. You may choose to buy his art works from ‘Shop to Help’ section of this profile. All the art works used in this profile are his creations
ARIJIT SINGHA ROY
Arijit Dutta, with 100 percent sensory neural hearing loss lives in a speech and language less world. He passed matriculate examination from Helen Keller Badhir Vidyalaya, a special school for hearing impaired students managed by Paschimbanga Rajya Pratibandhi Sammilani. With the assistance of our organization, he completed Bachelor of Visual Arts from Rabindra Bharati University and completed Master of Visual Arts from Viswa Bharati University. You may choose to buy his art works from ‘Shop to Help’ section of this profile. All the art works used in this profile are his creations
