Biography:Omguru
Omguru | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Pritesh Ashokkumar Shah 8 February 1977 Ahmedabad |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Organization | Omkar Foundation Trust, AIFF, The KCCS Ltd., |
Notable work | Omkar Chalisha |
| Honors | Rashtriya Puraskar (2016) |
| Website | sadguruomrushi |
Omguru (born Pritesh Ashokkumar Shah, 8 February 1977) known as Shri Sadguru Omrushi, is an Indian spiritual leader and social worker from Gujarat. He is the founder of the Omkar Foundation, a nonprofit organisation that supports persons with disabilities, and the Omkar Sampraday, a devotional group. He also organises the Ahmedabad International Film Festival (AIFF). In 2016, he received the National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, and in 2019, the Glory of Gujarat Award.[1][2]
Early life
Omguru was born in a Jain family in Ahmedabad. As a child he was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and is reported to live with about 80% disability. He completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree from L.J. College Ahmedabad, and also passed the preliminary stage of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam.
Work
Omkar Sampraday
Omguru established the Omkar Sampraday, which focuses on devotional practice. He has written and composed bhajans, doha, ghazals, and stotras, many of which have been published in Gujarati media.[3][4]
Omkar Foundation
Omguru began work with persons with disabilities in 1996 and later founded the Omkar Foundation. The organisation reports assisting over 30,000 people with food, medical aid, and education; facilitating health insurance under the Niramaya scheme for nearly 15,000 individuals; and supporting more than 500 persons with disabilities in handicraft-based livelihoods.[5][6] [7][8]
Ahmedabad International Film Festival
Omguru organises the Ahmedabad International Film Festival, which features films from India and abroad. By its 16th edition in 2025, the festival had received more than 3,600 entries from over 100 countries. Categories include Divyang (disability-focused) films, short films, documentaries, and feature films. The programme includes screenings, awards, and cultural exchange activities. Lifetime Achievement awards have gone to individuals such as Padma Shri Murlikant Petkar and Padma Shri Muktaben Dagli.[9][10][11][12][13]
Honours
Omguru received the National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in 2016[7]
References
- ↑ Gupta, Priyanka. "Conquering disability: Way of bed-ridden prince who turned people's healer" (in en). https://www.dnaindia.com/insights/report-conquering-disability-way-of-the-bed-ridden-prince-who-turned-the-people-s-healer-3166348.
- ↑ Live, A. B. P. (2025-06-06). "From Pain To Purpose: Omguru's Journey From Childhood Agony To Championing India's Disabled" (in en). https://news.abplive.com/states/from-pain-to-purpose-omguru-s-journey-from-childhood-agony-to-championing-india-s-disabled-1777825.
- ↑ "Shri Omkardham Tirth: Temple Where Wishes and Wounds Heal" (in en-US). 2025-07-01. https://theblunttimes.in/shri-omkardham-tirth-temple-where-wishes-and-wounds-heal/48527/.
- ↑ "Omguru the Spiritual Leader in a Wheelchair Who Turned Pain into Power | ગુરુપૂર્ણિમાના પાવન અવસરે ઓમગુરુની પ્રેરણાદાયક વાત...." (in gu). 2025-07-10. https://www.gujaratimidday.com/news/gujarat-news/article/omguru-transforms-life-of-disability-into-spiritual-strength-and-hope-247509.
- ↑ "Ahmedabad's 9th 'Divyang Patang Mohotsav' saw hundreds of disabled children enjoying the Kite Fest – Bilkul Online" (in en-GB). 2024-01-07. https://bilkulonline.com/2024/01/07/ahmedabads-9th-divyang-patang-mohotsav-saw-hundreds-of-disabled-children-enjoying-the-kite-fest/.
- ↑ "Shravan month marked by largest women's Kavad Yatra in Surat: 5,000 devotees chant 'Har Har Mahadev' and perform collective Shivling puja - Surat News" (in en). 2025-08-03. https://www.bhaskarenglish.in/local/gujarat/surat/news/shravan-month-marked-by-largest-womens-kavad-yatra-in-surat-5000-devotees-chant-har-har-mahadev-and-perform-collective-shivling-puja-135595065.html.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Live, A. B. P. (2025-06-06). "From Pain To Purpose: Omguru's Journey From Childhood Agony To Championing India's Disabled" (in en). https://news.abplive.com/states/from-pain-to-purpose-omguru-s-journey-from-childhood-agony-to-championing-india-s-disabled-1777825.
- ↑ Gupta, Priyanka. "SURAT HOSTED A LARGEST WOMEN-LED KAWAR YATRA UNDER BLESSINGS of OMGURU" (in en). https://www.dnaindia.com/people/report-surat-hosted-a-largest-women-led-kawar-yatra-under-blessings-of-omguru-3174995.
- ↑ "સિનેમા અને સાંસ્કૃતિક અભિવ્યક્તિનો ભવ્ય ઉત્સવ:"કશું જ અશક્ય નથી" તેવો આત્મસાત કરનારા દિવ્યાંગ સંત ઓમગુરૂ દ્વારા અમદાવાદ ઈન્ટરનેશનલ ફિલ્મ ફેસ્ટિવલનું આયોજન" (in gu). https://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/local/gujarat/ahmedabad/news/ahmedabad-international-film-festival-organized-by-divyang-saint-omguru-134806198.html.
- ↑ "Spiritual healer Omguru's another feat: Organises 16th edition of Ahmedabad International Film Festival". The Times of India. 2025-05-09. ISSN 0971-8257. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/spiritual-healer-omgurus-another-feat-organizes-16th-edition-of-ahmedabadinternational-film-festival/articleshow/121030024.cms.
- ↑ "अहमदाबाद अंतरराष्ट्रीय फिल्म महोत्सव: सिनेमा के जरिए सामाजिक बदलाव की अनूठी मिसाल - Ahmedabad International Film Festival sets a unique example of social change through cinema" (in hi). https://www.jagran.com/gujarat/ahmedabad-ahmedabad-international-film-festival-sets-a-unique-example-of-social-change-through-cinema-23969104.html.
- ↑ "Spiritual healer Omguru's another feat: Organises 16th edition of Ahmedabad International Film Festival". The Times of India. 2025-05-09. ISSN 0971-8257. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/spiritual-healer-omgurus-another-feat-organizes-16th-edition-of-ahmedabadinternational-film-festival/articleshow/121030024.cms.
- ↑ "Press Trust Of India". https://www.ptinews.com/press-release/omguru-s-vision-transforming-gujarati-cinema-with-the-ahmedabad-international-film-festival/2175333.
 |
