Celebrating inclusion, Indian elections, and more: Here are the top 5 social stories this week

How The Solar Labs is using AI to help realise India’s large-scale solar ambitions

Noida-based The Solar Labs’ SaaS platform helps estimate the rooftop solar potential of buildings quickly, accurately, and in a cost-effective manner. Using Artificial Intelligence (AI), its solar software proposes to help installers prospect more customers, and in the long run, increase the uptake of solar energy in Indian cities. It is now working on its City Scale Analysis tool, which will help distribution companies, governments, and municipalities drive mass solar adoption.

From Braille ballots to pick-up and drop facilities, how 2019 Lok Sabha elections are all about inclusion

As India votes in the 17th Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission of India has taken several steps to ensure more people come out and vote. The Election Commission of India has made special provisions for People with Disabilites, such as Braille ballots, mobile apps for assistance, construction of temporary ramps, pick-up and drop facilities, etc., to help voters turn out in large numbers. People with Disabilities form a massive chunk of Indian electorate. The first phase of voting, which concluded on April 11, saw participation from PwDs across states. Over 18,000 PwDs voted from Hyderabad, and 900 voted in Meghalaya.

How 24-year-old Ankush Saha overcame his disability and took the big swing to shine in golf

Twenty-four-year-old Ankush Saha has braved all odds and outshined himself in the game of golf despite his disability. He was one among the 150 golfers with intellectual disabilities to have played at the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi. He even went on to win the silver medal for India. From a person who used to struggle with determining distances and assessing speed to becoming an adept golfer, Ankush has come a long way.

Today, Ankush has a host of laurels to his credit. In 2014, he won the second level at the Special Olympics Golf Masters in Macau, China, and after three years, he bagged the bronze after playing the fifth level in the same tournament. His achievements also found a mention in the prestigious Limca Book of Records in 2015.

This 101-year-old has voted in every election since 1946

While many eligible voters are not moved to vote, 101-year-old V Santhanam, a resident of Sector 104, Noida in Uttar Pradesh, has voted in every Indian General Election since Independence. Santhanam gave his first vote during the 1946 provincial elections, and his first vote was to Swatantra Party’s leader Minoo Masani.

Santhanam believes that the present generation can make informed decisions about its leader because of all the information it has access to.

This NGO in Udaipur has treated over 3 lakh differently-abled people for free

Nestled in the hilly terrain of the Aravallis, ten kilometres from Udaipur, is an NGO called Narayan Seva Sansthan (NSS). For the past 35 years, the organisation has treated over three lakh people with disabilities free of cost.

Started in 1985 by Kailash Agarwal Manav, a Padma Shri awardee, NSS initially focused on social services like treating poor people free of cost. It was only in 1997 that the organisation started treating people with disabilities. Now, its mission is to rehabilitate people with disabilities and help them lead an independent life. The NGO is helping underprivileged differently-abled people by providing them free medical treatment as well as free education.

Also read: From free medical care for beggars to students developing devices for visually impaired people, here are the top social stories you should not miss