[Music]
STEPHEN SMITH: Now we've come to our Honorary Award.
These are awarded by the University in recognition of somebody who has made a
very significant contribution in their particular field. I now have great pleasure inviting Professor
Keith McLay, Provost - Learning and Teaching to give the commendation for the conferment
of the Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University to Amo Raju.
[Applause]
KEITH MCLAY: Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor, Vice-Lord Lieutenant, High Sheriff, honoured guests,
graduands of 2022 and all our guests here today. It gives me great pleasure to be presenting Amarjit
Raju for the Award of Honorary Doctor of the University. For nearly three decades,
Amo has served the community of Derby and beyond in many ways. In his primary role as CEO
of the charity Disability Direct, he has spearheaded the organisation
to become the recognized voice of disabled people and their carers in the region. As a disabled
person from birth, Amo has faced countless personal battles throughout his own journey
and has challenged and overcome low expectations of professionals who could not see the potential
of disabled people. Amo has directly and personally raised more than £25 million
in grants, contracts, and self-generated income for the disabled community,
[Applause]
and he was a leading light during the pandemic. Amo is now a nationally recognized sector leader
on issues around the voluntary sector, disability and social care. On International Day of Disabled
Persons in 2021, he was featured on the front page of the 'Disability Review Magazine' and is to become
a regular columnist in future editions. In early 2021, Amo was recognized as being one of the most
influential disabled people in the UK by The Shaw Trust with his entry onto the Disability Power
100 list; and in February 2022 he won the award for Outstanding 3rd Sector Achievement
at the UK's first ever British Sikh Awards. Such recognition from the Sikh community has encouraged
his objective to inspire future generations to work in voluntary sector organisations. Last year,
Amo published his book 'Walk Like a Man' which is based on real life events in his journey
from an unskilled, disheartened and unemployed individual, to the inspiration he is today.
The book reflects on the battle against societal norms as a disabled man to make his place in the
world and highlights the obstacles and assumptions Amo has overcome to make a real difference to the
community around them. In a previous life, Amo had success as a singer in a Bhangra music industry,
securing a few record deals along the way. Although he gave up his singing career, Amo is certainly
open to finding time in the studio again in the future. Amo is joined today by his mother, Satya;
father, Parkash; wife, Amo; children, Sangeeta, Geeta, Kash and their partners, Manjit and Raj. Chancellor,
in recognition of his commitment and contribution to the voluntary sector and the disabled community
in Derby, we are delighted to award Amarjit Raju the award of Honorary Doctor of the University.
[Applause]
AMO RAJU: Bear with me, get my glasses out.
Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor, Vice-Lord Lieutenant, High Sheriff, honoured guests
graduands of 2022 and all our guests here today.
Well today is, without a doubt, one of the greatest days of my life and I am incredibly grateful to
the University of Derby for boosting my what was already described as a super-inflated ego.
Whilst all the things you heard of me may be true, I would ask for some of those applause
to be redirected to my family, my long-suffering family should I say
who tolerate my lack of attention to what what is going on in the room
instead of focusing on what's actually happening outside, to my peers, disabled people.
My story: I didn't acquire this impairment, I was born with it and so I know no other life, no other
way of being. I just grew up watching everyone around me do things that I couldn't do. On too
many occasions people would only suggest hobbies activities or career choices which suited their
own expectations rather than my own vision and my need. And the thing is the last thing you should
say to someone in my situation is you shouldn't do this, you're not able to do that, or you mustn't
cross the line because that's just the way things are. All that happens if someone like me will have
no option to not only cross that line, but to remove it all together for future generations.
In 1985 at the beginning of a talent contest at Derby College, a fellow student suggested I
shouldn't enter because of my 'health condition'. I entered and I sang on stage to a few hundred crazy
students who didn't see any health condition, just a wannabe pop star who was having the
time of his life on stage. Over the following 37 years I had two record deals, a hit Bhangra song
and only a few days ago I heard my trap being played on the BBC Asian network, whilst driving
home from work. This is the bit where you get your phones out and start to google me.
[Audience laughter]
In 1993 at the age of 24, I was assessed by a professional to spend the rest of my days
in a day centre, basket weaving or making bird tables. I walked out within a couple of hours, that
experience had a profound effect on me. Years later I signed a contract with Derby City Council to
take over that very day centre which I rebranded, modernised and totally changed into a life-skills
centre. In fact, I'm delighted to say that the University of Derby will now be sending their
OT students for hands-on experience for working with disabled people. So for more exciting examples,
[Applause]
AMO RAJU: Thank you.
for more exciting examples of me challenging the norm, feel free to
purchase my book, 'Walk like a Man'; it's available on Amazon.
In 1994 I started as a volunteer at a charity in Derby which has only just opened its doors, it's
called Disability Direct. It took another disabled person to look beyond my impairment and challenge
my own lack of confidence. My old boss, Richard Shaw asked me to channel years of hurt, anger
and frustration into helping others. Yes, I was a volunteer, no payment, just a purpose. A belief that
working for free will lead to something great for others and hopefully myself too. Within just a few
days I no longer experience self-doubt, I've often said this, and believe me it's true; self-doubt
destroys more dreams than failure ever will. After a few virtual clips behind the ear I was ready
for work, I became an Information Assistant, then Information Officer, then Services Manager and
after Richard decided to move on within four years, I found myself sat in the CEO's chair.
The other day someone suggested to me I start to wind down now that I will receive an Honorary
Doctorate. To the contrary, this award has just simply recharged my battery. Maybe I'll write
another book; did I tell you I was an author, by the way? 'Walk Like a Man', available on Amazon.
Anyway, less about me, more about you. You've all graduated here today from this fine institution
with a degree which is proof that you can think, apply logic, reason and hopefully agree with what
you have learned. After hearing what you have learned about me, I ask you to go into your
chosen careers when it comes to disabled people or medieval attitudes towards disability please
apply that logic challenge discrimination and don't walk away from, it reason with ignorance. I
hope you're all successful in your careers, however, when possible, share that success with those around
you and I'll ask you to go that one step further. If those around you are failing or struggling then
soak up some of their pain; if nothing else it will make you a stronger person. Thank you and God bless!
[Applause]