Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (RJP)
Mangaluru, Nov 17: Mahesh Kumar from Nagori in Mangaluru, a famous roller skating coach has won the National Award for Child Welfare 2013, initiated by Ministry of Women and Child Development. President Pranab Mukherjee presented the award to him on November 14,2014.
Mahesh Kumar had introduced special skating for mentally challenged children in Dakshina Kannada in 1991 after which hundreds of children have been trained and have participated in various competitions.
Mahesh Kumar was chosen as special coach for the world summer games in Dublin 2003, where India had won 14 medals. He was honoured by Abdul Kalam, then president of India.
In Summer Games (World Special Olympics) held in 2007, one silver was won by a participant from the district. 6 children from the district had won in National special Olympics skating in 2009.
In 2011, in Special Olympics Skating held in Greece, 3 from the district were selected and many medals were won including gold by the participant from the district.
Since the past three years, Mahesh Kumar has been a special roller skating coach at Saanidhya residential school for mentally challenged children.