1. Introduction
Dr. Shayama Chona is an eminent Indian educationist, disability rights activist, and social worker. As the Founder-President of the Tamana Association and the former long-serving Principal of Delhi Public School (DPS), R. K. Puram, she has spent over five decades transforming the landscape of inclusive education and child welfare in India. Turning her personal heartbreak into a nationwide movement for the specially-abled, she remains a monumental pillar of empathy, resilience, and educational reform.
2. Quick Facts
- Full Name: Dr. Shayama Chona
- Native Name: श्यामा चोना (Hindi)
- Date of Birth: August 12, 1942
- Place of Birth: Rajasthan, British India
- Nationality: Indian
- Occupation/Profession: Educationist, Disability Rights Activist, Author, and Administrator
- Field of Achievement: Special Education, Inclusive Schooling, and Social Welfare
- Years Active: 1964–Present (Over 50 years of active contribution to teaching, institution-building, and social service)
3. Award Information (Padma Bhushan)
- Award Name: Padma Bhushan
- Award Category: Social Work / Public Affairs / Education
- Award Year: 2008
- Presented By: The President of India (at Rashtrapati Bhavan)
- Date of Ceremony: Republic Day, January 26, 2008
- Citation/Official Reason: For exceptional and distinguished services in the fields of literature, education, and social welfare, particularly for her relentless work toward mainstreaming individuals with developmental disabilities.
- (Note: She was previously honored with the Padma Shri in 1999 for her pioneering contributions to school education.)
4. Why She Received the Award
Dr. Shayama Chona received the Padma Bhushan (and earlier the Padma Shri) in recognition of her extraordinary, lifetime contribution to Indian education and social reform. Through DPS R.K. Puram, she broke traditional academic barriers to promote inclusive classrooms, and through the Tamana Association, she built institutional safety nets, rehabilitation frameworks, and vocational training centers for children with multiple disabilities and autism.
5. Early Life
Dr. Chona grew up in a disciplined and academically encouraging household as the youngest of five children, with her father serving as a Financial Controller for the Government of India. Living in Lodi Estate, Delhi, during her formative years, she naturally developed deep empathy for the underprivileged. Her life took a profound turn when her daughter, Tamana, was born with cerebral palsy. Confronted with a complete lack of infrastructure or schools for children with severe developmental challenges at the time, she channeled her grief into an unyielding mission to build a world of hope and capability for special-needs children.
6. Education
- Schooling: Educated at the prestigious Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls’ Public School (MGD), Jaipur.
- Higher Education: Earned her Bachelor’s degree and a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Economics from Rajasthan University / Maharani’s College, Jaipur, where she actively served as the President of the University Students Council.
- Specialized Training: Acquired specialized qualifications in Special Education (Sp.Ed.) from the United States to better understand and serve children with neuro-developmental challenges.
7. Career Journey
- 1964–1965: Began her professional journey as a college lecturer in Rajasthan and actively volunteered to support soldiers’ families during the 1965 Indo-Pak war.
- Teaching & Administration at DPS: Joined Delhi Public School (DPS), R.K. Puram, eventually ascending to the position of Principal, transforming it into a world-class institution renowned for pioneering inclusive education.
- Founding Tamana (1984): Established the Tamana Association, opening specialized institutions including the Tamana Special School (inaugurated in 1992 by Diana, Princess of Wales), a skill development center (Nai Disha), and an Autism Centre.
- Advisory Roles: Appointed to over 99 national and international committees, advisory boards, and educational bodies, including UNESCO, the Rehabilitation Council of India, and independent directorships/ethics committees for organizations like Medanta.
8. Major Achievements
- Pioneering Inclusive Education: Successfully integrated visually impaired and specially-abled students into mainstream classrooms at DPS R.K. Puram long before inclusive setups became institutional mandates.
- Global Recognition for Tamana: Secured Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for Tamana in 2005.
- Technological Innovations in Therapy: Spearheaded the introduction of cutting-edge tools like the TOBY iPad-based early intervention application for children with autism, in partnership with Deakin University, Australia.
- Limca Book of Records: Named in the Limca Book of Records (2007) for being the Indian woman to receive the highest number of awards and accolades for public service.
9. Contribution to the Nation
Dr. Chona has bridged a critical gap in India’s social welfare system by advocating for the rights, dignity, and independent livelihoods of intellectually and physically challenged individuals. Her tireless efforts shifted societal perceptions from charity-based sympathy to rights-based empowerment. Furthermore, as an elite educator, she shaped the minds of thousands of students who now occupy leadership positions across the globe, instilling in them a deep sense of social responsibility.
10. Other Awards and Honours
- Padma Bhushan (2008): Conferred by the President of India.
- Padma Shri (1999): Conferred for distinguished services in education.
- National Award for Best Work Done in the Cause of the Disabled (1997): Presented by the Government of India.
- First Mother Teresa Award (1997): Awarded to Tamana Special School for dedicated services to the intellectually impaired.
- National Award for Best Institution for Child Welfare (2006): Awarded by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
11. Legacy and Influence
Dr. Shayama Chona’s legacy is defined by her philosophy that “life is a splendid torch, and I must make it burn as brightly as possible.” She redefined modern Indian schooling by proving that academic rigor and absolute empathy can—and must—coexist. Through Tamana, she has left behind a self-sustaining blueprint for special education and vocational rehabilitation that continues to offer hope to families across India.
12. Interesting Facts
- Royal Connection: The first center of Tamana was officially inaugurated on February 12, 1992, by Her Royal Highness Diana, Princess of Wales.
- First Media Milestone: In her youth, she served as the very first Femina correspondent for the state of Rajasthan.
- A Record-Breaker: She holds a unique distinction as the only school educator in India to be decorated with both the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan.
13. Quotes
“You give them an inch, they will run a mile… Their smile tells us ‘I can do it, give me a chance, but I need you.’ That is the truth. They need you, give them a hand.” — Dr. Shayama Chona
14. Timeline
- 1942: Born on August 12
- 1964: Began her career as an educator and lecturer
- 1984: Founded the Tamana Association
- 1992: Inauguration of the Tamana Special School by Princess Diana
- 1997: Received the National Award for Welfare of People with Disabilities and the first Mother Teresa Award
- 1999: Conferred with the Padma Shri
- 2005: Tamana granted Special Consultative Status with UN-ECOSOC
- 2008: Conferred with the Padma Bhushan by the President of India
15. References
- Wikipedia – Shayama Chona Profile & Archives.
- Official Tamana Association Documentation & Portal (tamana.ngo).
- Outlook India – Archives on Educational Leadership.
- Published biographical interviews and features (Limca Book of Records data entries).
16. Related Personalities
- Diana, Princess of Wales (Inaugurated the Tamana Special School)
- Tamana Chona (Daughter and lifelong inspiration behind the NGO)
- Prominent alumni and faculty members of Delhi Public School, R. K. Puram.
17. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Who is Dr. Shayama Chona? A: Dr. Shayama Chona is a celebrated Indian educationist, disability rights advocate, former principal of DPS R.K. Puram, and the founder-president of the Tamana Association.
Q2: What is the Tamana Association?A: Founded in 1984, Tamana is a premier non-profit organization in New Delhi dedicated to the education, therapy, skill development, and rehabilitation of individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and multiple disabilities.
Q3: What major civilian honors has she received?A: She is a recipient of India’s prestigious Padma Shri (1999) and Padma Bhushan (2008).
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