I am affected by “Muscular Dystrophy” and a wheel-chair user from the Age of 12 but continued my studies with the help and support of my parents. I was on par with others and won special merit scholarship for CA Inter and won a Gold Medal in CA Finals. I have also completed ICWAI-Inter by 1985.

I had the blessings of His Holiness Gyananandagiri in at my young age and my physical handicap has never deterred me from achieving what I wanted in any walk of my life. I had my parents, especially my father’s support and motivation all along my life.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

I set up my consultancy in partnership with another FCA in Aug. –’85 and specialized in Institutional audits, Tax consultancy and Portfolio Management. Some of the audits and other services that I had undertaken are:

1. Karur Vysya Bank Information System Audits 2013-14.
2. Sabeetha Group of Industries Statutory Audit from 2013.
3. Ushafire Group of Industries Internal Audit from 2013
4. Indian Overseas Bank Information System Audits 2011-12.
5. Premier Group of Industries Internal Audit from 2007.
6. Bank Statutory Audit from 1986 without break.
7. C & AG Audit from 1987 without break.
8. Bank Con-Current Audit from 1987 without break.
9. Visiting Faculty ICAI 1986-91
10. Examiner in Costing CA Intermediate 1986-92
11. Tax and Management Consultant to Stanford Software Ltd., India Sino Exports Ltd., NDT Aids Ltd. and Ultrasonic Appliances Ltd from 1985-1992.

Turning point in my life was the meeting with Mr.S.Ramakrishnan of Amar Seva Sangam in the year 1990.  I admired his ability in his disability and his motivation and 'Vision' to create a 'Niche' for betterment of the handicapped and under privileged.  On seeing the odds encountered by Mr.S.Ramakrishnan by way of lack of support from personnel of professional caliber I wanted to help him.  Initially I had planned only for a few months stay at Amar Seva Sangam, Ayikudy for helping in maintenance of records and accounting purposes.  As destiny would have it I am still very much there, which is more than 22 years.

MY CONTRIBUTIONS TO AMAR SEVA SANGAM

At organizational level:

1. Re-making of the constitution of the Sangam and establishment of Governing Body and Advisory Board
2. Assets which were less than 1 lakh in 1991 is now more than 8 crores.
3. Annual Funds mobilized has grown from less than 7 lakhs in 1991 to more than 3.5 crores per annum this year.
4. Planning, Designing and Establishment of massive infrastructure for Home for Disabled, Physiotherapy Center, School and Vocational Training Center and Hostel.
5. Planning, Designing and Establishment of State-of-the-Art Computer Training Center for disabled and general public.
6. Acquisition of large areas of land and developing the above projects as a model township for the disabled with all facilities under one roof.
7. Systems planning, designing and establishment for administration of Electronic Data Processing base for Managerial Information System.
8. Developing of an innovative community based programme for the rehabilitation of the disabled in village based environments.
9. Number of persons covered has risen from less than 50 in 1991 to more than 13000 currently.
10. Adoption of nearly 800 villages under the above programme and designing and implementation of delivery mechanism for the reach at village levels for disabled persons.
11. Number of persons benefited has risen from 27 in 1991 to more than 14000 per annum currently.
12. 350 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for disabled are being formed in villages consisting of 3000 members.
13. Organising mega and medium fund raising programmes.
14. Currently developing the village based rehabilitation model for a project estimate of more than Rs.5 crores within a target period of next 3 years.

Social Contribution and Achievements:

1. Promoted the awareness about Muscular Dystrophy in “NGO Expo 2014” held at World Trade Center, Mumbai.
2. Member Trustee CBR Forum, Bangalore since Nov. 2013.
3. Regular participant in Chennai and Bangalore Marathon from 2013.
4. Treasurer of Gandhigram Trust Dindigul since June 2012.
5. Champion for disabled categories in Mumbai Marathon in 2004 and a wheelchair event participant since 2005.
6. Has actively advocated for equal access an barrier free environment for the disabled and has been promoting that disability is not a constraint but only a challenging condition which can be overcome by participation of all stakeholders in the society.
7. Extended assistance in designing disabled-friendly coaches by ICF, Perambur, Chennai.  Initiated in establishing a new Barrier Free Bus Station in Tirunelveli.
8. Organizing national level seminar on law on handicapped in 1995 under the Chairmanship of Supreme Court Justice Shri V.R. Krishnaiyer which paved the way for the enactment of Persons with Disabilities Act by the Indian Parliament in January 1996.
9. Founder Member of TAMIL NADU UDAVIKKARAM ASSOCIATION FOR DIFFERENTLY ABLED, Chennai from 1981

SOME OF THE PRESS COVERAGE THAT FEATURED ME RE LISTED BELOW:

Indian Express              November 1993

Frontline                  July & October 1994.

The Hindu                 3rd March & 16th October 1995

Times of India              January 1995

Economic Times            November 1994

Daily Thanthi                July 2000

Frozen Thoughts            February 2003

The Hindu                 March 2005

The Hindu                 Dec 2007

Business Mandate            Sept 2009

AWARDS CONFERRED ON SHRI S.SANKARA RAMAN ALONG WITH AMAR SEVA SANGAM

1. Highest Fundraiser in Champions with Disability in last Three consecutive years
2. Exemplary Service Award                                    2013
3. Best Social Service Award                                    2013
4. Cemmal Philanthropy Award                                  2013
5. Lifetime Achievement Award                                  2013
6. Lifetime Achievement Award                                  2012
7. Dhuruva Award                                                2012
8. Dream Champion                                              2011
9. Vocational Award                                               2011
10. Chandar Award for Social Work                                2010
11. Super Idols for Rehabilitation - IBN7 & Bajaaj Allianz               2010        
12. Best Social Service Award                                   2009
13. Best Social Worker Award                                     2009
14. Best Institution for Women’s Welfare (State Award)                2009
15. Gold Star Millennium Award                                   2008
16. Best Organization (Association of persons with  Disabilities)       2008
17. Shri Kailashpat Singhania Award for Outstanding Disabled Male)    2008
18. 12th Mahaveer Foundation Award - Honoured by President of India  2008  
19. National Award for Child Welfare                                 2006
20. Helen Keller Award, NCPEDP, New Delhi                        2005
21. “Best Social Worker”, Govt. of Tamilnadu                        2004
22. For the Sake of Honour, Courtallam Rotary Club                  2004
23. Lalchand Milapchand Dadha Award                            1999
24. Vocational excellence Award                                  1997
25. Thirumuruga Kirubananda Variyar Memorial Award                1996
26. Ten outstanding Young Indians (TOYI)                            1996
27. ‘Ratna Sironmani’ Award                                       1995
28. Bhatia Memorial Award with Shri.S.Ramakrishnan                 1994

ADDRESS:

Mr. S. Sankara Raman

Hon. Secretary, Amar Seva Sangam

Post Box No.001, Sulochana Gardens

10-2-163, Tenkasi Road, AYIKUDI – 627 852

Tamil Nadu, Tirunelveli Dist, India.

Cell: 93610 – 11585.