Date:09/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/09/stories/2005040910330400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Mentally challenged worker among FAPCCI awardees

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, APRIL 8. A mentally challenged print worker and an innovative woman entrepreneur share the honours with India's largest IT company and leading firms in biotech, mining and paper in this year's awards announced by the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) on Friday.

B. Sridhar, a mentally challenged person, would be given the award for "best self-sustaining effort by a physically challenged person."

Mr. Sridhar's father recounted that when his son was not able to cope in a normal school, a special school helped him hone his skills. Today, he is a skilled employee in Konark Printers, Hyderabad, working on screen printing, book binding and operating an off-set printing machine.

Woman entrepreneur

Aartee R. Patil set up an apparel venture after working for 15 years in the power sector. She identified the large demand for shoulder-pads in coats, which were all being imported. Within four years of commencing operations, Ms. Patil's Icon Accessories substituted as much as 60 per cent of the imports.

"We hope to reduce imports to zero in this financial year," she announced, and said that they had also started exporting to other countries. Ms. Patil would be given the "best woman entrepreneur award", but she said that next year she would try to compete in the general category.

A total of 120 entries were received for the 19 awards selected.

The awardees included TCS, Shantha Biotech, Singareni Collieries, Sanghi Polyesters, ITC Bhadrachalam, among others.

No entry for best IT firm

The notable feature was that the jury, headed by the former FAPCCI president, Omprakash Tibrewala, did not find even one viable entry for the best IT company award.

The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, would, in all probability, give the awards to winners on April 11.