Dhriti Ranka, a 13-year-old girl from Pune with intellectual disabilities, won the Shrestha Divyang Balika Award from India’s Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for her exceptional talent in art and music, receiving a certificate, medal, and ₹1 lakh cash prize as one of two recipients in the category.
The national honour celebrates outstanding achievements by young persons with disabilities in creative fields, with officials praising her creativity, courage, and inclusion as self-advocates shared congratulations online. No further developments reported beyond the 2025 award announcement.
Shrestha Divyang Balika Award
The Shrestha Divyang Balika Award forms part of the National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, annually recognising excellence across categories like individual achievement and rehabilitation efforts.
Dhriti’s selection highlights young talents overcoming challenges through creative expression, following a nomination process by the ministry that spotlights self-advocates in art and music. Similar honours went to peers like Master Muhammad Yazeen, underscoring India’s push for inclusive recognition amid growing awareness of disability rights.
Celebrating Creative Resilience
Dhriti Ranka’s national award win is a powerful narrative of resilience and creative triumph. The Shrestha Divyang Balika Award, specifically designated for children with disabilities up to the age of 18, recognises exceptional talent in creative pursuits such as painting, music, and other art forms.
Dhriti, who has Down Syndrome, has cultivated a remarkable skill in art, demonstrating that disability is no barrier to achieving excellence and national recognition.
Her accomplishment underscores the vital role of early intervention and family support in nurturing the potential of children with special needs. It also adds her name to a list of inspiring young awardees who are setting new benchmarks for inclusion in the arts.
Other Winners This Year
In the Shrestha Divyang Bal/Balika category, Master Muhammad Yazeen shared the honour with Dhriti Ranka, both earning national acclaim for their creative prowess despite disabilities.
The broader awards listed standout figures across disabilities, such as Kumari Pooja Garg and Mr Nipun Kumar Malhotra in locomotor categories, Ms Rakshitha R and Shri Yudhajeet De for visual impairment, and Smt Deepali Sharma and Shri Ferdinand Lyngdoh in hearing impairment.
Additional recipients included Kumari Gayatri Gupta and Master N S Shreyas for intellectual disabilities, plus Kumari Sheeba and Shri Miranda DonBosco Tomkinson in other categories, reflecting diverse triumphs celebrated by the ministry.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Stories like Dhriti’s light the way for empathy and equal opportunities, proving talent knows no barriers when society nurtures it with kindness and support. True harmony blooms as we champion young achievers with disabilities, fostering dialogue that builds inclusive spaces for all.
