George Abraham (India)
Encyclopedia
George Abraham is founding Chairman of the World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC) and the Association for Cricket for the Blind in India (ACBI). He is founder of the SCORE Foundation, New Delhi.
. His father was an engineer from Kerala
. At the age of ten months, Abraham suffered from meningitis which resulted in him sustaining damage to his optic nerve and retina thus making him visually impaired.
At the age of two, Abraham's family re-located to India. Around this time, Abraham's parents took a decision that would shape his future- to send him to mainstream school in spite of his disability. The decision however brought challenges. As Abraham schooled at La Martiniere in Lucknow
, Frank Anthony's in Delhi and Kendriya Vidyalaya
in Hubli, keeping up academically with his peers was a struggle.
Abraham was unable to read his school books but his parents were determined to educate him in the mainstream. Abraham would do combined studies with his school friends. His mother read out the texts from school books and his father assisted him with mathematics. They instilled confidence in their son and this was to be his greatest strength.
Abraham was a keen debater and a dedicated athlete. Cricket was a passion.
where he graduated with an Honours degree in Mathematics. Abraham went on to gain a Masters degree in Operations Research
.
in Mumbai as Account Executive.
After re-locating to New Delhi, Abraham worked as a Freelance Consultant planning and producing communication material, training in communication skills development, organising seminars and inspirational speaking.
Abraham decided to quit his job and dedicate his life to working with the visually impaired.
A visit to Dehradun's National Institute for the Visually Handicapped lead Abraham to see the blind playing cricket. It was there that Abraham realised that cricket can be used as an effective tool to develop qualities of leadership, discipline, ambition, confidence, team work, competitive spirit besides contributing to physical fitness, posture and mobility. It also enables society to see a non-stereotypical image of blind people which is positive and action oriented.
In March 1990 Abraham wrote to noted cricketer Sunil Gavaskar
informing of his plan to hold the first national cricket tournament for the blind. Gavaskar responded immediately saying that he would help in any way he could.
By December 1990, with the help of Tata Steel
, Colgate Palmolive, the Limca Book of Records
and the Delhi Rotary Club the inaugural Tata Steel Cricket Tournament for the Blind was held. Politician and then BCCI President Madhavrao Scindia
became a patron. Congress President Rajiv Gandhi
and Russi Mody
were in attendance.
The event became an annual one and had sponsors ranging from Coca-Cola
, Brooke Bond
, Hindustan Lever Limited
, Lipton
, Kirloskar Electricals and Titan
Watches.
To give the sport momentum, Abraham founded the Association for Cricket for the Blind in India (ACBI) in 1996.
Abraham was instrumental in setting up the World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC) in 1996.
Under his leadership, the inaugural Blind Cricket World Cup was held in New Delhi in November 1998. Seven countries participated. South Africa defeated Pakistan in the final while India and Australia were the two semi-finalists.
The second Blind Cricket World Cup was held in Chennai, India in December 2002. Pakistan defeated South Africa in the finals.
Pakistan hosted the third World Cup in Islamabad 2006. Pakistan won the final.
The fourth World Cup is scheduled for 2011.
In keeping with the evolution of cricket, the ACBI will be hosting the inaugural Indian Blind Cricket League (IBCL) 2010 in New Delhi. Teams will compete in a League come knock-out basis. The IBCL is set to revolutionise the game of blind cricket.
The dream is to reach out to every home in the country with information related to life with blindness. The object is to share information that is informative, inspirational and empowering. Abraham believes that the real problem is not the blindness, it is the mindset.
Project Eyeway endeavours to use the power of knowledge to address the issues of mindset change.
This also included the development of the Pediatric Ophthalmology Rehabilitation Programme in the Alwar district of Rajasthan
George Abraham dreamed of being a fast bowler like Dennis Lillee
, a singer like Kishor Kumar and a performer like Amitabh Bachchan
.
George Abraham married Rupa in 1986, a horticulturist and is the father of two daughters Neha and Tara.
Abraham received the Sanskriti Award in 1993. He received the Rotary Vocation Award in 1996.
In 2003 Abraham was awarded the Rotary for the Sake of Honour Award.
In 2001 Abraham was elected as an Ashoka Fellow
.
In 2007 George Abraham was chosen as a Limca Book of Records
People of the Year for his contribution to Blind Cricket and his work with Project Eyeway along with the likes of A R Rahman and Mahesh Bhupati.
Abraham has been featured on Discovery Channel
's Discovery People.
He was part of the Aviva
Forward Thinkers 2007 TV campaign.
In 2008, Abraham was featured on Channel 5's Paul Merton in India
which aired in the UK.
Early years
Abraham was born on 31 October 1958 in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. His father was an engineer from Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. At the age of ten months, Abraham suffered from meningitis which resulted in him sustaining damage to his optic nerve and retina thus making him visually impaired.
At the age of two, Abraham's family re-located to India. Around this time, Abraham's parents took a decision that would shape his future- to send him to mainstream school in spite of his disability. The decision however brought challenges. As Abraham schooled at La Martiniere in Lucknow
La Martiniere Lucknow
La Martinière College is an educational institution located in Lucknow, the capital of the Indian State of Uttar Pradesh. The college consists of two schools on different campuses for boys and girls. La Martinière Boys' College was founded in 1845 and La Martinière Girls' College was established...
, Frank Anthony's in Delhi and Kendriya Vidyalaya
Kendriya Vidyalaya
Kendriya Vidyalaya, is a system of central government schools under the Ministry of Human Resource Development ....
in Hubli, keeping up academically with his peers was a struggle.
Abraham was unable to read his school books but his parents were determined to educate him in the mainstream. Abraham would do combined studies with his school friends. His mother read out the texts from school books and his father assisted him with mathematics. They instilled confidence in their son and this was to be his greatest strength.
Abraham was a keen debater and a dedicated athlete. Cricket was a passion.
Education and career
George Abraham was educated at the prestigious St. Stephen's College, DelhiSt. Stephen's College, Delhi
St. Stephen's College is a constituent college of the University of Delhi located in Delhi, India. The college admits both undergraduates and post-graduates, and awards degrees under the purview of the University. Famous for its rich history and many traditions, St...
where he graduated with an Honours degree in Mathematics. Abraham went on to gain a Masters degree in Operations Research
Operations research
Operations research is an interdisciplinary mathematical science that focuses on the effective use of technology by organizations...
.
Advertising
Abraham started his career with ASP (Advertising and Sales Promotion Co) in New Delhi. In 1985 he joined advertising firm Ogilvy, Benson & MatherOgilvy & Mather
Ogilvy & Mather is an international advertising, marketing and public relations agency based in Manhattan and owned by the WPP Group. The company operates 497 offices in 125 countries with approximately 16,000 employees.-History:...
in Mumbai as Account Executive.
After re-locating to New Delhi, Abraham worked as a Freelance Consultant planning and producing communication material, training in communication skills development, organising seminars and inspirational speaking.
Blind cricket
In 1989 George Abraham visited a school for the blind in New Delhi. It struck him that the children there were made to feel inferior, handicapped and were left to believe that opportunities for them were limited or even non-existent. The incident had the impact of a hammer blow. Abraham realised that the blind needed opportunity not sympathy. They needed to be given the chance to become equal, productive, self-reliant and realise their dreams.Abraham decided to quit his job and dedicate his life to working with the visually impaired.
A visit to Dehradun's National Institute for the Visually Handicapped lead Abraham to see the blind playing cricket. It was there that Abraham realised that cricket can be used as an effective tool to develop qualities of leadership, discipline, ambition, confidence, team work, competitive spirit besides contributing to physical fitness, posture and mobility. It also enables society to see a non-stereotypical image of blind people which is positive and action oriented.
In March 1990 Abraham wrote to noted cricketer Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Manohar "Sunny" Gavaskar is a former cricketer who played during the 1970s and 1980s for Bombay and India. Widely regarded as one of the greatest opening batsmen in cricket history, Gavaskar set world records during his career for the most Test runs and most Test centuries scored by any...
informing of his plan to hold the first national cricket tournament for the blind. Gavaskar responded immediately saying that he would help in any way he could.
By December 1990, with the help of Tata Steel
Tata Steel
Tata Steel is a multinational steel company headquartered in Jamshedpur, India and part of Tata Group. It is the world's seventh-largest steel company, with an annual crude steel capacity of 31 million tonnes, and the largest private-sector steel company in India measured by domestic production...
, Colgate Palmolive, the Limca Book of Records
Limca Book of Records
Limca Book of Records is a record book of Indian origin. First published in 1990, when the Limca Brand was owned by Parle Group. The book continued to be published by Coca-Cola, when they bought the Limca Brand. The 20th edition of this book was released by Amitabh Bachchan in March 2009...
and the Delhi Rotary Club the inaugural Tata Steel Cricket Tournament for the Blind was held. Politician and then BCCI President Madhavrao Scindia
Madhavrao Scindia
Madhavrao Scindia was a prominent Indian politician and minister from the Congress Party. He was born into the Scindia family, who formerly ruled Gwalior...
became a patron. Congress President Rajiv Gandhi
Rajiv Gandhi
Rajiv Ratna Gandhi was the sixth Prime Minister of India . He took office after his mother's assassination on 31 October 1984; he himself was assassinated on 21 May 1991. He became the youngest Prime Minister of India when he took office at the age of 40.Rajiv Gandhi was the elder son of Indira...
and Russi Mody
Russi Mody
Russi Mody was former Chairman and Managing Director of Tata Steel and a leading member of the Tata Group.-Early years:...
were in attendance.
The event became an annual one and had sponsors ranging from Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
, Brooke Bond
Brooke Bond
Brooke Bond is a brand-name of tea owned by Unilever, formerly an independent manufacturer in the United Kingdom, known for its PG Tips brand and its Brooke Bond tea cards.- History :...
, Hindustan Lever Limited
Hindustan Lever Limited
Hindustan Unilever Limited is India's largest fast moving consumer goods company owned by the European company Unilever. The Anglo-Dutch company Unilever owns a 52% majority stake....
, Lipton
Lipton
Lipton is a brand of tea currently owned by Unilever.-History of Lipton Tea:Lipton was created at the end of the 19th century by a grocer, Sir Thomas Lipton, in Glasgow, Scotland. In 1893, he established the Thomas J. Lipton Co., a tea packing company with its headquarters and factory in Hobo ken,...
, Kirloskar Electricals and Titan
Titan Industries
Titan Industries is the world's fifth largest wrist watch manufacturer and India's leading producer of watches under the Titan, Fastrack, Sonata, Nebula, RAGA, Regalia, Octane & Xylys brand names. It is a joint venture between the Tata Group, and the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation...
Watches.
To give the sport momentum, Abraham founded the Association for Cricket for the Blind in India (ACBI) in 1996.
Abraham was instrumental in setting up the World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC) in 1996.
Under his leadership, the inaugural Blind Cricket World Cup was held in New Delhi in November 1998. Seven countries participated. South Africa defeated Pakistan in the final while India and Australia were the two semi-finalists.
The second Blind Cricket World Cup was held in Chennai, India in December 2002. Pakistan defeated South Africa in the finals.
Pakistan hosted the third World Cup in Islamabad 2006. Pakistan won the final.
The fourth World Cup is scheduled for 2011.
In keeping with the evolution of cricket, the ACBI will be hosting the inaugural Indian Blind Cricket League (IBCL) 2010 in New Delhi. Teams will compete in a League come knock-out basis. The IBCL is set to revolutionise the game of blind cricket.
SCORE Foundation/Project Eyeway
In 2002, Abraham established the SCORE Foundation, a non-profit organisation which launched Project Eyeway as a single- stop knowledge resource for people living with blindness and low vision. Today Eyeway comprises the website www.eyeway.org, a weekly radio programme 'Yea Hai Roshni Ka Karwan' which is broadcast from 30 cities in India, the Eyeway helpdesk, the Eyeway news SMS service, the Eyeway Talking Book service and the Eyeway training service programme.The dream is to reach out to every home in the country with information related to life with blindness. The object is to share information that is informative, inspirational and empowering. Abraham believes that the real problem is not the blindness, it is the mindset.
Project Eyeway endeavours to use the power of knowledge to address the issues of mindset change.
Magiktuch
In 2004, Abraham along with a friend Navroze Dhondy established Magiktouch Talent Management PVT LTD to identify, groom and promote musicians who are visually impaired. Concerts have been organised at New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Washington and Amman.Disability rights movement
Abraham actively participated in the movement that campaigned for the Persons With Disability Act 1995 in India and the inclusion of disability in the 2001 Indian National Census.Community outreach
George Abraham was involved in the establishment of the Vision Enhancement Center at the Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital, New Delhi helping individuals with low vision.This also included the development of the Pediatric Ophthalmology Rehabilitation Programme in the Alwar district of Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
George Abraham dreamed of being a fast bowler like Dennis Lillee
Dennis Lillee
Dennis Keith Lillee, AM, MBE is a former Australian cricketer rated as the "outstanding fast bowler of his generation"...
, a singer like Kishor Kumar and a performer like Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan is an Indian film actor. He first gained popularity in the early 1970s as the "angry young man" of Hindi cinema, and has since appeared in over 180 Indian films in a career spanning more than four decades...
.
George Abraham married Rupa in 1986, a horticulturist and is the father of two daughters Neha and Tara.
Awards and accolades
In 1996 Abraham was chosen to run in the Olympic Torch Relay in the Atlanta Olympics.Abraham received the Sanskriti Award in 1993. He received the Rotary Vocation Award in 1996.
In 2003 Abraham was awarded the Rotary for the Sake of Honour Award.
In 2001 Abraham was elected as an Ashoka Fellow
Ashoka: Innovators for the Public
Ashoka: Innovators for the Public is a nonprofit organization based in Arlington, VA, supporting the field of social entrepreneurship. Ashoka was founded by Bill Drayton in 1981 to identify and support leading social entrepreneurs through a Social Venture Capital approach with the goal of...
.
In 2007 George Abraham was chosen as a Limca Book of Records
Limca Book of Records
Limca Book of Records is a record book of Indian origin. First published in 1990, when the Limca Brand was owned by Parle Group. The book continued to be published by Coca-Cola, when they bought the Limca Brand. The 20th edition of this book was released by Amitabh Bachchan in March 2009...
People of the Year for his contribution to Blind Cricket and his work with Project Eyeway along with the likes of A R Rahman and Mahesh Bhupati.
Abraham has been featured on Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is an American satellite and cable specialty channel , founded by John Hendricks and distributed by Discovery Communications. It is a publicly traded company run by CEO David Zaslav...
's Discovery People.
He was part of the Aviva
Aviva
Aviva plc is a global insurance company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the sixth-largest insurance company in the world measured by net premium income and has 53 million customers in 28 countries...
Forward Thinkers 2007 TV campaign.
In 2008, Abraham was featured on Channel 5's Paul Merton in India
Paul Merton in India
Paul Merton in India is a television show broadcast on Five in the United Kingdom and Fox History & Entertainment in India. The first episode was aired on 8 October 2008. It follows comedian Paul Merton as he travels around India. The series was commissioned after the success of the previous series...
which aired in the UK.
Articles and publications
- Handbook of Inclusive Education for Educators, Administrators and Planners' (2004) by Madhumita Puri and George Abraham. ISBN 0-7619-3266-6
- Abraham had a column in The Indian ExpressThe Indian ExpressThe Indian Express is an Indian English-language daily newspaper. It is published in Mumbai by Indian Express Group. After Ramnath Goenka's death in 1991, the group was split in 1999 among his family members into two with the southern editions taking the name The New Indian Express, while the old...
called "Talking from Within" in 1995 about personal insights into disability and living with disabilities. - Abraham had a column in The Asian Age called "Heart Talk" in 2003 about the ICC World Cup in South AfricaSouth AfricaThe Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.