Kartik Sawhney

Kartik Sawhney is an outstanding and remarkable child prodigy who, despite being visually challenged, has excelled in diverse fields including IT, academics, music and has also contributed towards the society.
Early life
Kartik Sawhney was born to Indu and Ravinder Sawhney on 22 June, 1994 at New Delhi. He is one of their twin children. In the early November, 1994, it was observed that movements of his eyeballs were not normal, on further investigation and consultation from Dr. Rajinder Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Science (AIMS) and Dr. Cyrus M. Shroff of Shroff Eye Centre, it was decided to take the child to Madras-Sankara Nethralaya to possible treatment. It was a case of retinopathy of prematurity in both eyes. Accordingly, with prior appointment, the child was taken to Sankara Nethralaya, Madras. However, the doctor finally certified that further treatment was not possible and explained the unfortunate prognosis to the family.
In the year 1997, there was a chance meeting in Holy Family Hospital with one Dr. Jain who was a music director in some reputed institution. He too was visually impaired. He advised that the child should be put in N.A.B.-National Association for the Blind, R.K.Puram as this institute was also having the facility of computer training. As the good luck have it, the child got admission in NAB. He remained there for about three years. His Mother-Indu-always accompanied him. Kartik showed excellent progress in the school. In the year 2001, NAB decided to recommend him to admission to a leading mainstream school. With strong recommendation from NAB, he got admission in DPS East of Kailash with the kind consideration of Dr. Shyama Chona, Principal of DPS R.K.Puram. Now started the real challenge both for the school and Kartik. He started studying with the help of Braille. He was also learning computer privately.
Kartik studied up to class V in the Junior branch of DPS at East of Kailash and thereafter on promotion to class VI started studying at [Delhi Public School, R K Puram. He is at present a student of class X and does all his school work using a computer (with the help of text to speech engine software).
Scholastic achievements
Kartik Sawhney, a student of class X of DPS, R.K.Puram, New Delhi has been a Class Topper for four consecutive years securing over 97% marks in classes V to VIII. However, with the introduction of CCE scheme by the CBSE, ranks could not be declared for class IX, as numerical scores were abolished and instead grading was taken up. Kartik has secured A1 grade (91-100) in all the subject. It is his remarkable achievement to lead the class of normal students in academic excellence. Kartik is not only a creative Role Model for the visually challenged students, but also for the students community as a whole. He frequently participates in intra/inter-school National and International level competitions and is recipient of many awards and prizes for his all-round excellence. He has been awarded the `Scholar Blue Blazer` for Academic excellence for four consecutive years from 2005-2009 and `Red Blazer` for excellence in Music. He was awarded `Arman Dogra Memorial Trophy` for being the best student of the year 2008-2009. He also received the Overall Excellence Award at a function organized by DPS, R.K.Puram and Loomba Trust. A total of 13 students from DPS, East of Kailash, DPS, Vasant Vihar, DPS, R.K.Puram and DPS Shiksha Kendra were selected for the award.
He is the recipient of the National Talent Search (NTS) Scholarship from NCERT, New Delhi for the year 2009. He is also recipient of the `National Child Award for Exceptional Achievements` 2009 from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt. of India.
He won `Gold Medal` at the age of 8 in Computer Skills-“Speed and Accuracy” at National Level Competition organized by the National Abilympics Association of India in 2002. He secured 1st All India Rank in the National Cyber Olympiad. He secured the 1st State Rank and 4th International Rank in the International Informatics Olympiad 2008 and also in the International Informatics Olympiad 2009. He secured 12th Rank in the International Cyber Olympiad 2009 conducted by Eduheal Foundation. Besides a medal and merit certificate, the award carries a cash scholarship. He also won a `Gold Medal` in the Cadbury Bournvita Quiz Contest-Confidence Championship organized by Derek O’Brien and Associates Pvt. Ltd. He also secured 2nd position in the Zonal Level Inter-School Mother Dairy Spell Vocab Challenger. He also secured 2nd position in the prestigious Bhagavad Gita Contest conducted by ISKCON Temple where 98 schools and nearly 5000 students participated. He has also won `School Topper Medals` in various Olympiads and competitive examinations including National Science Olympiad, Unified Cyber Olympiad etc.
Extra curricular achievements
Kartik is a talented singer who gives performances at various National and International forums. In June, 2007, he visited Austria as a member of the `Global Children’s Choir for Peace`, an Indo-Austrian Cultural Joint Venture and participated in choir performances in Austria including at the Presidential Palace. He is blessed by high dignitaries and celebrities including the former President of India, President of Austria, Princess of Thailand, the Vice President of India, the Prime Minister of India, the First Lady of Malaysia and many others. His achievements have been reported in the Press as well as in the Electronic Media. He also participated in the National Bal Shree Camp after qualifying the local and the zonal levels of the contest. He has also been a member of the Mozart Children’s Choir of India and has performed at varios forums. IGNOU and DD-Bharti have made documentaries on his achievements. Besides, he is also a good speaker, and has been selected to address the gathering at various National and International conferences. He is also an avid writer, and many of his articles have featured in several magazines including a Governmental magazine.
Social initiatives
Kartik worked as a `Resource Person` for the Computer Literacy Program of National Association for the Blind. At present, he is an Ambassador of the Children’s Advisory Board (CAB) of Plan India, an NGO working for the protection of Child Rights and has undertaken several advocacy programs for the promotion of child rights. On 5 June, 2007, Kartik produced, directed and staged a play reinforcing the need to conserve environment as a part of the Environment Club of Human Care Foundation.

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