Bengaluru: Well-known social activist and humanitarian Ms Nelly Prichard was honoured with the prestigious NFB Shrest Manav Seva Samman in recognition of her exceptional service to persons with disabilities and the visually challenged for more than 25 years. The honour was conferred during the 21st Annual Day celebrations of the National Federation of the Blind, Karnataka, held in conjunction with the 217th birth anniversary of Louis Braille, the visionary behind the Braille system.
The award ceremony took place at the Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) Auditorium, Vijayanagar, and witnessed the presence of senior government officials, social leaders, and representatives of organisations working for the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
Recognition for decades of selfless service
The NFB Shrest Manav Seva Samman was presented to Ms Prichard in appreciation of her unwavering commitment, compassion, and lifelong dedication to empowering the visually and physically challenged. Over the decades, she has worked tirelessly through initiatives, awareness campaigns, and grassroots-level interventions that have touched the lives of thousands of beneficiaries across Karnataka.
Organisers noted that her work stands out for its consistency, humility, and deep human concern, making her a role model in the field of social service.
Dignitaries grace the occasion
The Chief Guest of the programme was Shri D Sudhakar, Hon’ble Minister for Planning, Programme Monitoring and Statistics, Government of Karnataka. The event was presided over by Dr C N Manjunath, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha Constituency, and former Director of the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research.
Distinguished Guests of Honour included Shri Manoj Jain, IAS, Secretary, Planning, Programme Monitoring and Statistics Department, Government of Karnataka; Shri S Govindraj, Commissioner, Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Government of India, New Delhi; Ms Meghana K T, IIS, Assistant Director, Doordarshan, Bengaluru; Dr Ashok, Director, Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens, Government of Karnataka; Shri B R Ganesh Rao, President, KASSIA, Bengaluru; Shri Somashekar Mural, Director, Rotary South Zone, India; and Dr Dasharath N, Principal, University Law College, Bengaluru University.
Speakers lauded Ms Prichard’s contribution and underlined the importance of sustained community-driven initiatives in building an inclusive society.
Roots in Mangaluru and a calling to serve
Born in Neerude Parish, Mangaluru, Ms Nelly Prichard (née Mendonca) developed a strong inclination towards social service from a young age. After moving to Bengaluru, her vision took concrete shape as she actively involved herself in community work, prayer groups, and social initiatives.
She attributes her lifelong mission to serve marginalised communities to her deep spiritual grounding and involvement in prayer groups, which inspired her to dedicate herself to the cause of the blind and the differently abled. She is widely respected for extending motherly care to orphans, abandoned individuals, and vulnerable sections of society.
Wide-ranging social interventions
Ms Prichard has been associated with several associations, organisations, and trusts committed to the welfare of the visually and physically challenged. With the support of the Jaya Karnataka Organisation, she played a significant role in the Endosulfan Mission in Coastal Karnataka, where over 2,500 patients were identified and provided healthcare support.
For more than 11 years, she has served as a trustee and active member of the Good Samaritan Foundation, supporting patients suffering from bedsores and chronic wounds. Her dedicated outreach to bedridden patients during the COVID-19 pandemic received widespread appreciation.
She has also served as a coordinator for The Dhyana Jyothi Trust, a charitable organisation run by Carmelite priests in Bengaluru, which supports children of visually impaired parents through scholarships and educational assistance, helping them pursue education with dignity and hope.
Continuing commitment to humanity
Ms Prichard continues to provide educational support to children from visually and physically challenged families with the assistance of donors and volunteers. She also renders voluntary service to old-age homes, homes for blind children, rehabilitation centres, and patients undergoing spinal cord injury rehabilitation.
She often acknowledges that her greatest strength comes from her family and children, who stand firmly by her mission and social service initiatives.
The honour bestowed upon Ms Nelly Prichard stands as a fitting recognition of her compassion, perseverance, and lifelong dedication to humanity, and serves as an inspiration to many working in the field of social welfare.
