Media Release
Bengaluru, Jan 7: Well-known social activist and humanitarian Nelly Prichard was honored with the prestigious NFB Shrest Manav Seva Samman in recognition of her outstanding service to persons with disabilities and the visually challenged for over 25 years. The award was presented during the 21st Annual Day of the National Federation of the Blind, Karnataka (NFB), held in conjunction with the 217th Birth Anniversary of Louis Braille, the great visionary behind the Braille system.
The grand award ceremony was held on January 5, at the Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) Auditorium, Vijayanagar, Bengaluru.
The award was conferred upon Prichard for her unwavering commitment, compassion, and lifelong dedication to empowering the visually and physically challenged through various initiatives, campaigns, and grassroots-level interventions.
The chief guest of the programme was D Sudhakar, honorable minister for planning, programme monitoring and statistics, government of Karnataka. The event was presided over by Dr C N Manjunath, Hon’ble member of parliament, Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha Constituency, and former director of the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research.
Distinguished guests of honour included Manoj Jain, IAS, secretary, planning, programme monitoring and statistics department, government of Karnataka; S Govindraj, commissioner, office of the chief commissioner for persons with disabilities, government of India, New Delhi; Meghana K T, IIS, assistant director, Doordarshan, Bengaluru; Dr Ashok, director, department for empowerment of persons with disabilities and senior citizens, government of Karnataka; B R Ganesh Rao, president, KASSIA, Bengaluru; Somashekar Mural, director, Rotary South Zone, India; and Dr Dasharath N, principal, University Law College, Bengaluru University.
About Nelly Prichard
Born in Neerude Parish, Mangaluru, Nelly Prichard (née Mendonca) developed a strong desire to serve society from a very young age. Her vision and commitment took concrete shape after she shifted to Bengaluru, where she actively involved herself in community work, prayer groups, and social initiatives. Over the years, she has emerged as a respected and compassionate social activist, especially known for her tireless service to the visually and physically challenged.
Prichard attributes her mission to serve the marginalized to God’s blessings and her deep involvement in prayer groups, which inspired her lifelong calling to work for the blind and differently abled. She is widely admired for extending motherly care to orphans, abandoned individuals, and the most vulnerable sections of society.
She has been associated with several associations, organizations, and trusts dedicated to the welfare of the visually and physically challenged. As part of her voluntary service, with the support of the Jaya Karnataka Organization, she played a key role in the Endosulfan Mission in Coastal Karnataka, where over 2,500 patients were identified and provided with healthcare support.
For more than 11 years, as a trustee and active member of the Good Samaritan Foundation, she has supported patients suffering from bedsores and chronic wounds. Her dedicated outreach to bedridden patients during the COVID-19 pandemic received wide appreciation.
In addition, she also served as a coordinator for The Dhyana Jyothi Trust, a charitable organization run by Carmelite priests in Bengaluru, which focuses on supporting children of visually impaired parents through scholarships and educational assistance, enabling them to continue their education with dignity and hope.
Prichard continues to provide educational support to children from visually and physically challenged families with the help of donors and volunteers. She also renders voluntary service to old-age homes, homes for blind children, rehabilitation centers, and patients undergoing spinal cord injury rehabilitation.
She often acknowledges that her greatest strength and support in all her social service initiatives comes from her family and children, who stand firmly by her mission.
The honour bestowed upon Nelly Prichard stands as a fitting recognition of her selfless service, compassion, and lifelong dedication to humanity.