A philanthropist, an educationist, a
social worker, but most importantly a warm and kind-hearted person with the
will and ability to ‘make things happen’, that’s Dr. Radhike Khanna.
Having devoted 29 years of her life
striving for the development of people with special needs, Dr. Khanna broke
away from the traditional mould to spark revolutionary strategies for their
instruction and empowerment. She has worked tirelessly for the education,
training and rehabilitation of the developmentally
disabled, as well as for autistic children and young adults. Today, Dr.
Radhike Khanna serves as the Vice Principal of SPJ Sadhana School, Mumbai and
is the founder of Om Creations Trust and Shraddha Charitable Trust.
Notable Contributions
Ø Dr.
Radhike Khanna created the first and only five-year polytechnic course in the
world that guarantees employment for disabled and developmentally disabled individuals. Through her diligent
efforts, 1,100 individuals have been placed in productive roles in the society.
Ø She
founded the Om Creations Trust and the Shraddha Charitable Trust, both
pioneering projects in the rehabilitation of developmentally challenged women
and autistic men. This visionary planned and executed workshops that aimed at
integrating the developmentally
disabled into the national mainstream, thus enabling them to earn a livelihood
and lead independent lives.
Ø Dr.
Khanna has also been instrumental in bringing about an attitudinal shift
whereby parents have learnt to acknowledge and value their special child. The
corporate world has welcomed them as prolific employees and the society too has
begun to accept them in an inclusive manner.
Ø Dr.
Khanna also conducts capacity-building workshops for special educators. She has
provided them with an invaluable tool to merge the child into the learning
environment through the four-phased FACE Programme.
Ø Dr.
Khanna has conducted various ‘Training the Trainers’ programmes both nationally
and internationally. The special programme is geared at training teachers in
indigenous areas of special education, the objective being to expose
educational professionals from marginal communities to the newest learning
trends and methodology.
Ø She
has also participated and conducted lectures on subjects such as Women Empowerment and Social Entrepreneurship in
Management Institutes like SP Jain Institute of Management & Research
(SPJIMR), Mumbai and Xavier School of Management Institute (XLRI), Jamshedpur.
Ø She has attended and participated in numerous
conferences abroad which includes the ‘Global Initiatives for Change’
conference in Switzerland and the 16th Annual Learning Disorders
Conference at Harvard, USA.
Ø She has conceptualised seven documentary films on
training the developmentally disabled, out of which “A New Paradigm” (2000) was
awarded the Silver Peacock for the best documentary with a social theme;
'Behind the Glass Wall’ (2015) won a national-level award for the best
educational film.
Ø Dr. Khanna ’s sustained efforts have brought about a change
in the mindset of people, making them understand that even the developmentally
disabled have inborn strengths which if tapped and nurtured, can be leveraged
to bring forth unimaginable creative talent. She has sacrificed personal goals
to enhance the growth and well being of those in need. Dr. Radhike Khanna is a
beacon of light for these special people who look up to her and continues to
inspire a generation that is willing to make a change.
Awards
& Felicitations
Ø The President, the Executive Committee & the CSR
Committee of the Cricket Club of India felicitated for being awarded as one of the 100 most
empowered women in India.
Ø Felicitated by the staff of Om Creations for the
#100Women Achievers Award.
Ø Khatri
Gaurav Award – 2016 presented by
Khatri Samaj Amritsar.
Ø Award presented byAmrit
parivar parents association .
Ø Nimpaa
award 2016 presented by National Integration Multi Purpose
Artists Association.
Ø DAV
public school, Lawrence road,
Amritsar presented Guest of Honour.
Ø Received award from Golden Temple Trust, Amritsar.
Ø #100 Women
Achievers Award in the category of “Disability and Disadvantage” by the
Ministry of Women & Child Development, 22nd January 2016, New
Delhi
Ø Gaint
Group of Byculla Present Excellence Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of
Education. (Educationist for the Year)
on 30th August 2015,
Mumbai
Ø FACE – Foundation for
Accelerated Community Empowerment – Certificate of Excellence, Rashtra Vibhushan
Award for outstanding individual achievement & Distinguished Services to
the Nation 19th April 2015,
New Delhi
Ø Rotary Club of Bombay
Seaface – Vocation Excellence Award 2014-15. For Contribution to Development & Education
of Mentally challenged & Rendering Valuable Service to the Community
Ø Award of Honour
Presented For Services Rendered to the cause of Childhood Disability – Presented by Global Institute for Childhood
Disability Amritsar, 27th September 2014
Ø SPJ Sadhana School has been awarded the International
School Award 2013-16 by the British Council.
This award has been recognised for “Outstanding Development of International
Learning in the Curriculum”.
Ø Certificate of Merit – CFBP Jamnalal Bajaj Award for Fair Business
Practices as founder Trustee of OM Creations under the category of “Charitable Association”– 15th March 2013.
Ø Pearson Teaching Award for Excellence in School Teaching February 2013
Ø Indian Achiever Award from All India
Business Development Association, New Delhi, for Best Social Worker – August 2011
Ø Rotary Club of Bombay North- Certificate of Appreciation as Guest Speaker 2010
Ø Sophia Achiever’s Award – for outstanding
contribution & commitment in the field of Art & Design – December 2009
Ø IMC Ladies Wing - Woman of the Year Award – 2008 for Outstanding
Woman Citizen of Mumbai.
Ø The Shell Helen Keller Award, December 2008, from The National
Centre for Promotion of Employment of Persons with Disability (NCPEPD) for
being a “Role Model for increased employment opportunities for the Disabled.”
Ø National Award 2005,
Government of India, presented by President Dr. A.P.J. Kalam, New Delhi, for Individual
Working with the Mentally Disabled
Ø Mikanos -Woman of Substance Award 2002,. She was among five
Women Achievers of the city of Mumbai.
Ø The Sadguru Gnanananda Award 2002 from Dr. A.P.J Kalam
as Scientific Advisor, in deep
appreciation for the outstanding and pioneering efforts as a Special Educator.
Ø The National Society for Equal Opportunities for the Handicapped, India (NASEOH), awarded Shri N.D.
Diwan Memorial Award 1999, in appreciation for the outstanding achievement and
deep involvement in promoting the rehabilitation of the mentally retarded and
in the field of Autism and in recognition of meritorious contribution as a
professional worker.
Ø Tata Memorial Centre, Act
Clinic & Social Department express their gratitude and appreciation
towards her valuable contribution at the 2nd Pediatric Brain Tumour
Survivors Workshop held in November 1998
Ø Lions International,
Teacher’s Day Award, 1998.
Ø Rotary Club of Bombay
Peninsula, Mumbai, 1998 (For meritorious
services towards the Community).
Ø Certificate of Appreciation from S.P.J.
Sadhana School, Silver Jubilee Celebration, 1997 (Commitment for training the Differently
Abled)
Ø Honoured by Sophia B.
K. Somani Polytechnic, Silver Jubilee Celebration, 1994 (Outstanding ex-student with commitment and social conscience)
Ø Lions International
Award, 1994 (Best teacher of the Differently Abled)
Ø Bronze Medalist, 1987 & 1990 (In teacher’s category for the most innovative
article created for the Centre for Care Treatment and training of children in
need of special care)
