Motherhood is a divine, sacred calling. No service compares to the service that a mother gives to her children. On International Mother’s Day, May 10, 2026, Sri Arunodayam hosted its unique Special Mom Awards at Bharani Studios, Saligramam, Chennai. Awardees, families, supporters, well-wishers, and distinguished guests gathered to celebrate courage and love in their purest form.

Among those present was our esteemed Chief Guest, Mr. S. Govindaraj, Commissioner from the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Special guests included Justice P. N. Prakash, Former Judge of the Madras High Court; Mr. S. Kumar, District Differently Abled Welfare Officer (Tiruvallur District); Mr. S. Thenpandian, Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee (Tiruvallur District); Mr. Srikanth, SP, Crime Against Women and Children (CAW & CW) Wing, Chennai; and Mr. T. Srinivasan, President of MEL Systems and Services Ltd.

A Moving First

For the very first time, we honoured a father alongside 19 extraordinary mothers—several of them raising more than one child with intellectual disabilities. Devaraju’s story reminded us that caregiving is a shared and sacred journey, not restricted to mothers alone, and that a father who patiently embraces his role in the face of extreme difficulty is equally admirable, if not more so.

Celebrating Our Finalists  

We were proud to honour the 20 finalists – Akila Vaidyanathan, Catherine Rathnabai S, Gayathri R, Geetha Varadharajan, Jayanthi T, Jeeva S, Kavitha D, Mahalakshmi V, Manimegalai N U, Meenakshi Kulkarni, Meera Balaji, Rajeshwari Krishnamurthy, Renuga Devi K, Rupavathi R, Sandhya Krishnamoorthy, Sharmila J, Sritharani M, Umamaheswari S, Vanitha Pushpam O, and Velliyamoodu Govindaraj Devaraju. 

Our children filled the stage with vibrant performances, while the awardees’ stories of sacrifice and determination unfolded on screen—moving the audience to tears. Watching the lives of these families unfold through film felt as close as one could come to truly walking beside them and sharing in their struggles, heartbreaks, and quiet victories. 

Recognition with Impact  

Each awardee received a cash prize of ₹15,000, a certificate of excellence, a special trophy, and lifetime free services for their children from Sri Arunodayam. Since the Awards were launched in 2017, we have honoured 125 families through this initiative. More than recognition, our ‘Special Mom’ platform supports these families in practical ways while continuing to advocate for their dignity and rights. This continuity of care makes the awards unique and deeply meaningful. 

Shining a Light on Unseen Struggles

Through our Special Mom awards, we shine a light on the often-unseen struggles of parents raising children with intellectual disabilities. Despite social stigma, emotional stress, financial hardship, and limited access to support, these families continue to fight tirelessly for their children’s inclusion and future. The Awards provide a platform to advocate for this deeply marginalised and often judged community as they strive to rise above immense challenges. 

Inspiring Voices 

Commissioner S. Govindaraj reminded us that empathy must guide our actions toward families with special needs, and that persons with disabilities are not just individuals to be cared for but citizens with equal and inalienable rights. His words called on society to rise to its responsibility of upholding dignity and inclusion.

Founder and Managing Trustee Iyyappan Subramaniyan captured the spirit of the day with a moving reflection: “Behind every child who overcomes challenges with courage stands a parent who chose hope over fear and determination over despair.” Joined by our distinguished guests, these voices reiterated that social responsibility and rights are inseparable in creating an inclusive world.

Sharing a Meal  

Awardees and their families joined us for lunch—a time of laughter, stories, and togetherness, building bonds that last well beyond the stage. We were reminded that living successfully in community begins with a change of heart—seeing one another as brothers and sisters, sharing simple joys, and standing together in love and solidarity.

Looking Ahead  

As we approach our 25th year of service in 2027, the Special Mom Awards enter their 10th year, continuing to shine a powerful light on the unseen struggles of families raising children with intellectual disabilities. For our donors, this event is a powerful testament to the impact of their generosity. We thank them and all our well-wishers for believing in our cause, standing with us, and lending their voice to uphold the dignity, rights, and future of every child with disabilities.