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A visually challenged Visakhapatnam-based architect, and researcher has been honoured with the national-level Rare Star Award 2026 successful the class of Role Model Living with a Rare Disease (16-30 years). Balajepalli Kavya Poornima was besides presented with NIDHI currency prize astatine an grant ceremonial held successful Bengaluru recently.
The assemblage of the Organisation for Rare Diseases India (ORDI) selected Ms. Poornima from nationwide nominations. Despite losing her imaginativeness successful 2017 owed to Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH), she rebuilt her beingness to champion inclusive design, cosmopolitan accessibility, and biology conservation.
Through her initiative, Poornamidam, she drives probe and advocacy astatine the intersection of art, architecture, and disability, portion besides supporting patients via IIH Warriors India.
She presently serves arsenic a subordinate of the Visakhapatnam District Disability Committee.
