In the development realm, where challenges often overshadow recognition, the Junoon Awards are a tribute to passion-driven impact and to inspire innovations and collaborations in the development sector. Derived from the Hindi word for “passion,” these awards celebrate the courage, innovation, and resilience of organizations that dare to push boundaries for the greater good.
More than just an accolade, the Junoon Awards recognize those who turn challenges into opportunities and redefine the possibilities of change, ensuring that these unsung heroes of the development sector receive the recognition they deserve.
The inaugural Junoon Awards in 2023 celebrated resilience during the pandemic, recognizing individuals and organizations with remarkable perseverance and innovation. Amid the challenges of COVID-19, these change makers adapted, found new ways to continue their work, and made a lasting impact. Their efforts stood as a testament to human strength and ingenuity, making the awards a tribute to determination and progress in the face of adversity.
At the intersection of elder care and disability inclusion, Maya CARE Foundation emerged as a quiet yet powerful force of resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. With no physical offices and a 90% workforce comprising persons with disabilities (PWDs) – 60% of whom are women, Maya CARE had long been redefining what accessible, people-first service could look like. But it was during the pandemic that the organisation’s digital and human infrastructure was put to the test and proved itself.
As isolation deepened for the elderly and barriers intensified for disabled individuals, Maya CARE responded with empathy and innovation. Teams of visually impaired individuals began weekly phone calls to provide elderly citizens not just information, but much-needed emotional support and continuity. Their flagship initiative, Project Vaccination, mobilised hearing-impaired, visually impaired, and neuro-motor challenged individuals to identify unvaccinated elders, counsel them, collect documents, and arrange for vaccinations, all remotely.
Far from being passive recipients of aid, Maya CARE’s team of PWDs became catalysts of care during one of the country’s most critical moments. With only mobile phones and basic internet connections, they handled ICU admissions, coordinated home sanitisation, arranged meals, and continued elderly visits—sometimes through doors and windows—to maintain both safety and companionship. Amidst this, internal tragedies struck. Project lead Sandhya Atram lost her father during the campaign, and Dr. Vidya Gokhale, Maya CARE’s foundational pillar, succumbed to COVID after a prolonged ICU battle. Yet the organisation endured, turning grief into grit.
What Maya CARE carried forward from the crisis is a strengthened digital backbone and a renewed belief in the transformative potential of remote work for PWDs. Through Project Bindu, they expanded training in digital tools, offered free devices and connectivity, and mentored individuals with hearing, speech, and cognitive disabilities to work independently and professionally. Their internal structure evolved with clear Key Result Areas, regular appraisals, peer learning, and soft skill development, laying a foundation for sustained, dignified employment.
As the world navigates post-pandemic realities, Maya CARE offers a replicable, human-centred model that pairs care for the elderly with empowerment of some of society’s most marginalized groups. Their vision is both bold and grounded: to establish helplines in every language across the globe, run entirely by PWDs.
With operations already active in 72 Indian cities and 5 in the UK, Maya CARE has now expanded its reach to Nepal—touching the lives of over 4,500 elderly individuals, offering more than 36,500 free visits, and empowering over 3,550 persons with disabilities (PWDs) towards economic independence. Through partnerships with organisations like Amazon, ICICI Foundation, Deloitte, Social Venture Partners (SVP), Persistent Foundation, United Way Delhi (UWD), Rotork, CGI, Infinera, Dasra, Legrand, etc, Maya CARE is steadily realising this future—one call, one conversation, one connection at a time.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The story of Maya CARE Foundation and the recognition bestowed by the Junoon Awards exemplify the profound impact of compassion, innovation, and resilience in the face of adversity. At The Logical Indian, we believe such initiatives are not just commendable—they are essential.
They challenge stereotypes, foster inclusion, and remind us of the transformative power of community-driven action. As Maya CARE’s vision of global, accessible helplines run by PWDs becomes a reality, we are inspired to ask: How can each of us contribute to building a more inclusive and empathetic society?
