In a rare gesture, filmmaker Prakash Jha, known for his hard-hitting grassroots
films which challenge
society to confront issues
faced by the common man, came out in support of mental health warriors. Speaking
at the fourth edition of The
Restore Awards™️ held
at Taj Lands End in Mumbai, Jha stated, “It’s
time to treat mental health at par with physical health. When you have an
accident, heart attack, you run to the doctor. But when we have an emotional
breakdown, we hush it. Unmute yourself.”
The Restore Awards are an annual event that began in 2019, to help people come out with their physical and emotional suffering rather than hush it up. Other leaders who attended the awards ceremony as special guests were Harsh Mariwala, Chairman, Marico Industries who was also the first chief guest in 2019 for these awards; Dr Jawahar Panjwani, senior orthopaedic surgeon, who supports mind body healing instead of just prescriptions and surgeries, actor Vivek Mushran who came out in support for the cause, and other senior corporate business leaders who have over the last four years, consistently demonstrated their solidarity for the awards.
While
lighting the inauguration lamp at the awards ceremony, which recognises and
celebrates mental health warriors, healers, doctors, sustainability
entrepreneurs, Jha explained his presence by saying, “These awards are the
catalyst between those struggling with emotional health issues, often without
family support, and therapists, doctors who are doing impactful work in the
space of mental wellbeing. With my presence, I support and applaud these
on-ground angels impacting their communities.” His films – many reaching
blockbuster status – push society and the system to confront issues of
bonded labour, caste, class, power, politics, policing, corruption, patriarchy,
and resistance. And now, it seems like he is challenging society to open up
about the trauma of mental health issues.
“It
just took one email from us for him to agree to stand for this cause and be our
chief guest at the awards,” said Rachna Chhachhi, cancer nutrition expert and
founder, The Restore Awards™️. “He didn’t even pause. Normally, we have been
told celebrities charge but Prakashji immediately agreed because the cause is
bigger than any of us.” Instituted by four women health experts under the banner
of Shuddha™️, The Restore Awards™️ have a global esteemed independent jury to
pick out the winners every year. Presented by Ageas Federal Life Insurance, and
with sponsor partners like Tetley, House of Abhinandan Lodha and Metropolis
labs, who have made this non-profit cause possible, the number of global
nominations this year crossed 2000 and the jury had a tough task in deciding
only 11 winners. “It was so difficult for us to see all the deserving nominees
and choose winners because each one deserves that their story be told,” said Dr
Mickey Mehta, one of the jury members. “These awards ensure that people working
at the grassroots level who impact mental health are heard via this large scale
initiative.” The awards are broadcast to 300,000 people live across various
social media platforms, giving mental health nominees and winners a platform for
their impactful work.
Some of the winners include Karan Shah, a 24 year old wheelchair bound muscular dystrophy patient, who is pushing BMC to make wheelchair friendly toilets in public places;
Dr.
Deepti Pinto Rosario, a gynaecologist who, after hospital and clinical hours,
works hard to spread awareness and dispel myths for women’s health – sexual
health, puberty, adolescent health, reproductive years, postpartum, and
menopause; and Chaise Freidman, Los Angeles-based warrior who became paralysed
neck downwards and within a span of two years, and defied the diagnosis of his
doctors that he would never be able to walk again.
About The Restore Awards:
Every year, we at RachnaRestores™️ end the year with The Restore Awards. These awards recognise and reward warriors, doctors, healers, businesses and companies who work in the areas of emotional well-being, inclusiveness and mental and physical wellbeing. And every year, we take up a theme which is the need of the hour for that year. In 2019, our theme was Health Over Hospital where we spread the message of reducing the burden on hospitals and doctors via holistic lifestyles in preventing emergencies. In 2020, we raised awareness and funds for childhood cancer. In 2021, we brought forth Preventive Health & Sustainability during the pandemic.
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