India, Feb. 27 -- J. P. Gadkari, a pioneering voice for the disabled community in India, passed away on Feb. 20 in Bengaluru following brief illness. He was 94.

He is survived by his daughter Mona, son-in-law Girish and grand-daughter. He lost his wife, Catherine and son Neil last year. Despite deep personal loss, he remained steadfast in his commitment to advocating for the rights and well-being of people with disabilities.

Fulfilling his final wish, Gadkari's body was donated to St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru.

Gadkari began his career as a journalist in the 1960s, working for a foreign newspaper before joining the Indian daily 'Patriot' in Delhi. In 1978, following his son Neil's diagnosis with intellectual disability, he move...