Wikipedia

Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled

Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, founded in 1997, is a non-profit organization providing education, accommodation, food, vocational training and placement based rehabilitation. It is based in Bangalore, India with centers across India and abroad. The organization is affiliated to the World Blind Union and received Special UN Consultative Status in 2015.

Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled
Founded1997
TypeNot for Profit - Registered Trust
Location
Region served
India
Websitehttp://www.samarthanam.org/

History

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Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled was established in the year 1997 by Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar[1][2][3] along with his schoolmate and childhood friend, Late. Nagesh SP. The founders, being visually impaired and having witnessed various challenges, have together conceptualized Samarthanam, an organization which would cater to people with disabilities, including visually impaired and underprivileged. Education was conceived to be the basic right of every individual, irrespective of status and disability. And hence they initiated on the development of various programmes at primary, secondary and higher education levels and also various other initiatives solely dedicated for visually impaired and underserved. As the organization's objective and drive started gathering support, Samarthanam's areas of service also widened. The organization moved onto establishing Livelihood Resource Centres, Rehabilitation Centres, Social Enterprises and a Sports Association for the visually impaired. Samarthanam expanded and fortified to be recognized as an umbrella organization, offering services to people with disabilities, underserved and women in distress.[citation needed]

Affiliations

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  • World Blind Union[4]
  • World Blind Cricket Council[5]
  • State Government of Karnataka, GOI
  • Boston University
  • University of Chicago
  • CII
  • Empanelment with Department of empowerment of Persons with disabilities
  • Ministry of Social Justice, GOI
  • United Way
  • CAF
  • Give India
  • Give2Asia
  • NASSCOM

Education and nutrition

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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]

Samarthanam schools for students with intellectual disabilities have been established in Bangalore, Mysore, and Belagavi. The schools provide basic education, life skill activities, ADLS training, vocational training and aim to make the individual independent to the extent possible. [9]

Samarthanam Residential School for children with hearing Impairments, Bangalore was set up in 2019 with classes from 1st standard to 8th standard.Currently the HI school has 40 students. [9]

As part of 'Vidyaprasad', Samarthanam provides mid-day meals to children in government schools.[10]

'Shrishti', Samarthanam's BPO training units in Hubli-Dharwad and Peenya, provide soft skills and call center training to people with disabilities.[11][12][13]

Sports

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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.[14]

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.[15]

The previous governing body handed over the responsibility of organizing cricket for the blind in India to Samarthanam.[16] Samarthanam funded the Indian team's tour of England[17] where the Indian team defeated England in a four-match one-day series.[18] The Indian team, in collaboration with Samarthanam, also travelled to Pakistan to play the Indo-Pak series.[19] 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.[20] 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

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  • 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).[21] The center provides employment opportunities to people with disabilities and rural youth.[22]

Other areas of work

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  • Culture: 'Sunadha' is Samarthanam's troupe comprising visually impaired dancers. 'Sunadha' has performed across India, the U.S. and U.K.[23][24]
  • Environment: 'Parisara' is Samarthanam's environmental initiative.[25]

Awards

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  • Samarthanam was awarded the Governor's award for Excellence from the government of Karnataka, in 2002[26]
  • Founder Managing Trustee Mr. Mahantesh received the National Award for Child Welfare 2009 from the President of India[27]
  • Mr. Mahantesh was conferred with the Aryabhatta International Award, in 2009[28]
  • Mr. Mahantesh was honoured with the NDTV Spirit of Sport Award for 2011, in the Against the Odds - Lifetime Achievement category[29][30][31]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Samarthanam Celebrates its 14th Anniversary | This Week Bangalore".
  2. ^ "Opening doors for the blind - Hindustan Times". 2012-01-23. Archived from the original on 2012-01-23. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  3. ^ "Citizen Matters, Bangalore: 'Samarthanam is a part of me". Archived from the original on 2012-08-22.
  4. ^ http://previous.jagrancityplus.com/storydetail.aspx?cityid=9&articleid=32722&catgid=21 [dead link‍]
  5. ^ a b May 2012, Friday 4. "Ganguly To Be Blind T20 World Cup Brand Ambassador". Cricket World. Retrieved 2021-11-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ "Samarthanam Students excel in SSLC Exams | This Week Bangalore".
  7. ^ "Technology played a major role in their success". The Hindu. May 25, 2012 – via www.thehindu.com.
  8. ^ "Mangalorean.Com- Serving Mangaloreans Around The World!".
  9. ^ a b "NGO For Education". Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  10. ^ "Confident Group". Archived from the original on July 13, 2012.
  11. ^ Staff Correspondent (2011-01-06). "21 youths with disabilities complete call centre training". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2021-11-04. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  12. ^ Staff Reporter (2011-02-01). "They're ready to take on life now". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  13. ^ "Build on your Abilities for making Better Tomorrow | This Week Bangalore".
  14. ^ http://previous.jagrancityplus.com/storydetail.aspx?articleid=35054&editionid=173&catgid=6&cityid=13 [dead link‍]
  15. ^ "Fide rating Chess championship for the blind concluded today | This Week Bangalore".
  16. ^ "Portrait of an endangered sport - Business of Life - livemint.com".
  17. ^ Krishna, Geetanjali (2011-02-12). "Geetanjali Krishna: A blind eye to hidden talent". Business Standard India. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  18. ^ "The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Having sights on the wicket". 2010-08-31. Archived from the original on 2010-08-31. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  19. ^ "Indian Blind Cricket To Tour Pakistan in November, Orissa News".
  20. ^ "A World Cup with a difference - Hindustan Times". 2012-06-10. Archived from the original on 2012-06-10. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  21. ^ Staff Reporter (2011-06-25). "Samarthanam starts rural BPO". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  22. ^ "State rural BPOs get pro policy push". Deccan Herald. 2011-10-21. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  23. ^ "Visually Impaired Dance Troupe from India Visit Carroll Center | The Carroll Center for the Blind". Archived from the original on April 14, 2013.
  24. ^ "Mangalorean.Com- Serving Mangaloreans Around The World!".
  25. ^ "Green Awards for PNLIT, Samarthanam, MSI - 12 July 2012". Archived from the original on 2012-12-25.
  26. ^ Mahantesh — eyeway Archived 2012-07-01 at the Wayback Machine
  27. ^ "GK Mahantesh Conferred With National Award".
  28. ^ "Mahantesh G Kivadasanavar conferred 'Aryabhata Intl. Award'". news.webindia123.com. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  29. ^ "Marks for Sports: Award Winners".
  30. ^ "Marks for Sports: All the latest videos".
  31. ^ "Mangalorean.Com- Serving Mangaloreans Around The World!".
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