38-year old Abdul Gani was afflicted by leprosy at age 14. After his mother's death, his brother turned him out of his house. He came to Sumanahalli in 1982, was treated and cured. He had severe deformities and both his toes and fingers were affected. He trained in Agriculture and Leather craft. Within a year, he was self-employed, manufacturing leather and cotton gloves, which he supplied to the Kirloskar Group companies. Abdul Gani received his award from the then-President of India, Sri. R. Venkatraman.