Kolkata:The air inside the auditorium hummed with a quiet, palpable electricity on Friday evening as the spotlight shifted away from the conventional to illuminate true, barrier-breaking resilience.
At the 9th Edition of the Disha Samman 2026 hosted by Disha Eye Hospitals, the stage belonged not to corporate dignitaries, but to champions who have long had to fight twice as hard just to be seen and heard in a world designed around sight.
Among the loudest ovations of the evening was reserved for the Indian Women’s Blind Cricket Team, represented on stage by Captain Deepika TC and Vice-Captain Ganga Kadam. Walking up to thunderous applause, they accepted the honor from former Indian cricketer and Ranji Trophy legend Arun Lal. For these athletes, the recognition is more than just an award—it is a long-overdue validation of sweat, grit, and an unwavering refusal to let visual impairment dictate the boundaries of their ambition.
“Our journey wasn’t just about winning matches; it was about proving that the pitch doesn’t care if you can see the ball—it cares how hard you fight for it,” shared a team representative, reflecting the fierce competitive spirit that has taken women’s blind cricket to unprecedented heights.
The celebration of excellence stretched far beyond the cricket pitch. The auditorium fell into a spellbound hush moments later as singer, lyricist, and pianist Raj Jain took center stage. Blind since birth, Jain’s fingers danced across the keys with an emotional depth that left the audience visibly moved. Presenting his award, renowned singer Lopamudra Mitra praised how his music effortlessly bridges gaps, turning melody into a universal language of inclusion.
In the realm of advocacy and education, Sayantan Banerjee was honored for a lifetime of relentless grassroots work. As an educator, youth leader, and disability rights advocate, Banerjee has spent years dismantling systemic barriers in classrooms and communities alike, receiving his award from distinguished artist Shuvaprasanna Bhattacharjee.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Debashish Bhattacharya, Chairman of Disha Eye Hospitals, captured the core ethos of the evening. “Through Disha Samman, we strive to celebrate individuals and organisations that redefine the meaning of courage,” Dr Bhattacharya said. “This year’s awardees demonstrated that visual impairment is no barrier to excellence. Their journeys reflect the power of perseverance to create meaningful change.”
Launched in 2018, the Disha Samman has steadily carved out a legacy of recognizing those who look past societal limitations. Beyond the commemorative plaques, this year’s honorees each received a cash prize of ₹1,00,000—a tangible backing to fuel their ongoing missions.
As the lights dimmed and the crowd slowly trickled out into the cool Kolkata night, the lingering sentiment was clear: these champions hadn’t just received awards; they had rewritten the script on what is possible.
