Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled

Samarthanam Trust for Disabled

Founded	1997
Type	Not for profit
Headquarters	Bangalore, India
Location	India
Key people	G. K. Mahantesh, founder managing trustee
Website	http://www.samarthanam.org/

Welcome to Samarthanam Trust For the Disabled (R)

In 1997, Mahantesh G.K. and two of his friends envisioned an organisation to provide opportunities for the deserving, young, and talented children with disability of any form, or from marginalized economic backgrounds. Thus, more than a decade ago, Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled came into existence by providing free hostel facilities to the deserving students.

Since inception, Samarthanam has been working to empower the visually impaired, disabled and underprivileged people in India. Samarthanam supports the visually impaired, disabled and underprivileged to keep in pace with the rest of the society by providing quality education, accommodation, nutritious food, vocational training, placement based rehabilitation and achieve personal independence. However the long term focus of Samarthanam is shaping an inclusive society which provides opportunities—without any discrimination—for the development of the visually impaired, disabled and underprivileged people.

Mission

Samarthanam's mission is to empower the visually impaired, disabled and underprivileged people through developmental initiatives focusing on educational, social, economic, cultural and technological aspects.

Vision

An inclusive society, free of discrimination against the disabled, where people with disabilities, especially the visually impaired, enjoy equal opportunities and an enhanced quality of life.

History

The trust was established in 1997^[1] by visually impaired friends.^[2][3]

Affiliations

• World Blind Union^[4]
• World Blind Cricket Council^[5]

Education & Nutrition

Samarthanam runs integrated primary and secondary schools and supports visually impaired students pursuing higher education. In the Class 10 Board exams held in 2012, the school had a pass percentage of 94.11%, with the school topper scoring 84.8%.^[6] Samarthanam uses technology to nullify disability.^[7] A barrier-free, accessible residential school is under construction. A sum of Rs. 1 crore was allocated by the Karnataka Chief Minister in the state budget towards construction of the school.^[8]

As part of 'Vidyaprasad', Samarthanam provides mid-day meals to children in government schools.^[9]

'Shrishti', Samarthanam's BPO training units in Hubli-Dharwad and Peenya, provide soft skills and call center training to people with disabilities.^[10][11][12]

Sports

Samarthanam athletes took home seven medals at the 17th National Sports Meet for the Blind (2010) held at Chandigarh. Samarthanam's medal tally included three golds and Subramani broke the national record in shot put.^[13]

Samarthanam promotes chess for the blind. The FIDE rating National Open Chess Tournament for the Blind 2012 was organized by Samarthanam, in association with All India Chess Federation for the Blind.^[14]

The previous governing body handed over the responsibility of organizing cricket for the blind in India to Samarthanam.^[15] Samarthanam funded the Indian team's tour of England^[16] where the Indian team defeated England in a four-match one-day series.^[17] The Indian team, in collaboration with Samarthanam, also travelled to Pakistan to play the Indo-Pak series.^[18] Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) is Samarthanam's sports initiative. The T–20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind is to be held in Bangalore in December 2012.^[19] Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, West Indies, Sri Lanka and Nepal will be taking part, and Saurav Ganguly is the Brand Ambassador for the event.^[5]

Rehabilitation

• Residential Rehabilitation and Counseling Center for Women in Distress
• Rural BPO/Call Center Unit

Samarthanam's Rural BPO - 'Kirana' - went live in 2011. The BPO was launched in association with the state-run Karnataka Biotechnology and Information Services (KBITS).^[20] The center provides employment opportunities to people with disabilities and rural youth.^[21]

Other Areas of Work

• Culture

'Sunadha' is Samarthanam's troupe comprising visually impaired dancers. 'Sunadha' has performed across India, the U.S. and U.K.^[22][23]

• Environment

'Parisara', Samarthanam's environmental initiative, provides end-to-end waste management solutions for corporate organizations and residential complexes. Samarthanam Parisara won the People's Green Award at the TCS World 10K Bangalore 2012, winning the grand prize of Rs. 75,000.^[24]

Awards

• Samarthanam was awarded the Governor’s award for Excellence from the government of Karnataka, in 2002^[25]
• Founder Managing Trustee Mr. Mahantesh received the National Award for Child Welfare 2009 from the President of India^[26]
• Mr. Mahantesh was conferred with the Aryabhatta International Award, in 2009^[27]
• Mr. Mahantesh was honoured with the NDTV Spirit of Sport Award for 2011, in the Against the Odds - Lifetime Achievement category^[28][29][30]

See also

• Blind cricket

References