Entrants's Name: Kaushik Das

Country: India

Field: Disabilities

Innovation - idea: We have two projects: Atma Nirbhar–Ek Challenge (1996) and Spreading Sunshine (1998). Atma Nirbhar–Ek Challenge, meaning Self Reliance – a Challenge, works for the economic rehabilitation and empowerment of the disabled. Spreading Sunshine tries to mobilize resources from the giving public to meet the needs of marginalized people living in Residential Social Welfare Institutions like orphanages,

Innovation - why it is pioneering: Both the projects try to make the optimum use of available resources. The economic rehabilitation program utilizes the services of only disabled persons in the production floor of the unit. ‘Spreading Sunshine’ helps to build ‘bridges’ between the civil society, and, pockets of societal neglect / marginalized people.

Strategy - how it achieves impact: Both the projects try to make the optimum use of available resources. The economic rehabilitation program utilizes the services of only disabled persons in the production floor of the unit. ‘Spreading Sunshine’ helps to build ‘bridges’ between the civil society, and, pockets of societal neglect / marginalized people. ‘Spreading Sunshine’ tries to improve, in small measures, the quality of life of the residents of the needy Residential Social Welfare Institutions like orphanages, by providing ‘outside assistance’, mobilized from the public.

Strategy - growth plans: We have been unable to mobilize outside resources. Therefore, we strive to internally generate most of the working resources for the economic rehabilitation project. It has restricted our growth, but has generated self- discipline, frugal operating systems, innovative ideas --- a great learning experience ! The next phase is to expand the project by mobilizing outside resources.

We try to advocate and promote economic rehabilitation of the disabled at every possible forum. The best means of replication will be to popularise our products among the public --- that can best be done by improving our marketing strength. For wider publicity of our projects, we need to improve utilization of Information Technology ( we do not even have a website ! ), and, our IT skills.

Impact to date: Both the projects have not had a large impact, but have made a difference only in the lives of the people touched. The projects are intensive and qualitative, rather than extensive and quantitative. The beneficiaries of the both the projects are happy with whatever little we have been able to offer.

Economic rehabilitation is crucial for a disabled person’s self-esteem, independent living and acceptance in the mainstream society. The other organisations working in the disability sector in our region have also slowly come to realize the importance of economic rehabilitation of the disabled. Gradually, these organisations are also devoting a part of their efforts in this direction. The ‘Spreading Sunshine’ project cannot be just replicated, the feelings have to come from the heart.

Future impact: Economic rehabilitation of the disabled is too difficult a project to implement and sustain. It cannot be replicated en mass. It does not have a growth path like most other voluntary initiatives. Ten years from now, our efforts will continue to be directed towards maintaining the sustainability of the project and helping a few more disabled persons live a fuller life. We will be happy if a few more disabled persons continue to gain from this project.

We would like to increase the number of beneficiaries by three times by adding a bakery unit and a NGO Shop. It would be good if more organisations in the disability sector include ‘economic rehabilitation’ and ‘independent living’ in the curriculum of their programs and courses.

Sustainability - resource base: The economic rehabilitation project tries to generate most of its resource needs internally by sales of its products, and, services. The teas and spices are sold in the canteens and co-operative stores of a few factories and hospitals. We undertake ‘job work’ for other small tea traders. We also receive some donations as stipends for the disabled workers and to meet other needs.

We have a half-completed building named ‘PAROPKAR’ ( ‘Welfare of Others’ ). To generate some resources, the completed area has been rented out to : 1 A school for the street children. 2. A dispensary.

‘Spreading Sunshine’ is a purely humanitarian project. Almost all the resources are mobilized from the public in cash and kind ( old clothes, footwear, educational materials ).

Major challenge for the field: Always generate / mobilize sufficient income / resources to cover the costs to sustain the project. Internally generate part of the resource needs so that you are not totally, and, always dependent on outside for the project’s continuity. To keep the project simple, transparent and on the right path.

Contact Information:

Name: Kaushik Das
Country: India