16 Facts About Uma Tuli

Uma Tuli was honoured by the Government of India, in 2012, with the fourth highest Indian civilian award of Padma Shri.

Uma Tuli was born on 3 March 1943 in New Delhi into a Punjabi Hindu Khatri family of the Tuli clan.

Uma Tuli secured a master's degree from Jiwaji University, Gwalior and followed it with another master's degree in Special Education from the University of Manchester.

Uma Tuli has had a career teaching at various colleges in Delhi and Gwalior for over thirty years.

Uma Tuli is the first non-bureaucrat to be appointed as the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disability, a position she held from 2001 until 2005.

Uma Tuli led the Home Guards contingent in the 1978 Republic Day Parade, the first lady commander to do so.

Uma Tuli's efforts are reported behind the participation of Amar Jyoti students at the 1995 Republic Day Parade, reported to be a first for physically disabled children.

Uma Tuli is reported to have contributed to the conduct of five National Integrated Sports Meets, where children with disabilities competed with normal children.

Uma Tuli was the leader of the Indian contingent of the Indian contingent for the 5th Abilympics held at Prague, Czech Republic, in 2000 and led the team that organised the 6th Abilympics held in New Delhi in 2003 under the aegis of Amar Jyoti.

Uma Tuli has published many articles and books such as The Spirit Triumphs and Better Care of Children with Locomotor Disability and has presented papers at several national and international seminars and conferences.

Uma Tuli is the Managing Secretary of Amar Jyoti Charitable Trust since its inception in 1981.

Uma Tuli served as the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities for Government of India for a period of five years from 2001, has held the chair of the Education Commission of the Rehabilitation International, USA and is its National Secretary Uma Tuli has been a member of the National Human Rights Commission and has served the advisory board of Voice and Vision, a Mumbai-based resource and training centre for children with multiple disabilities.

Uma Tuli is the Secretary General of the National Abilympic Association of India and is an executive member of the International Abilympic Federation.

Uma Tuli is the patron of Society for Empowerment and Trade Upliftment of Artisans, a non-governmental organisation working for the development of the weaker sections of the society.

Amar Jyoti, under Uma Tuli's leadership, received two national awards, one as the best institution in 1991 and the other, for creating barrier-free premises.

Uma Tuli has received the Nehru Smriti Award and President's Gold Medal, Hong Kong Foundation award, UN-ESCAP award Jhunjhunwala award, Manv Seva award and Helen Keller award.