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{{Infobox organization
| logo =Samarthanam Trust for Disabled.png
| type = Not for Profit - Registered Trust
| key_people =
| footnotes =
| name = Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled
| founded = 1997
| location = [[Bangalore]], [[India]]
| origins =
| region_served = [[India]]
| focus =
| method =
| revenue =
| endowment =
| num_volunteers =
| num_employees =
| num_members =
| owner =
| website = {{Official website}}
}}
'''Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled''', founded in 1997, is a [[Nonprofit organization|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.

==History==
Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled was established in the year 1997 by [[Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thisweekbangalore.com/?p=1323|title=Samarthanam Celebrates its 14th Anniversary | This Week Bangalore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2012-01-23|title=Opening doors for the blind - Hindustan Times|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Bangalore/Opening-doors-for-the-blind/Article1-800818.aspx|access-date=2021-11-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123113559/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Bangalore/Opening-doors-for-the-blind/Article1-800818.aspx|archive-date=2012-01-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bangalore.citizenmatters.in/articles/view/4013-mahantesh-g-kivadasannavar-samarthanam-is-a-part-of-me|title=Citizen Matters, Bangalore: 'Samarthanam is a part of me|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822015139/bangalore.citizenmatters.in/articles/view/4013-mahantesh-g-kivadasannavar-samarthanam-is-a-part-of-me|archive-date=2012-08-22}}</ref> 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|date=June 2022}}

==Affiliations==
* World Blind Union<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://previous.jagrancityplus.com/storydetail.aspx?cityid=9&articleid=32722&catgid=21 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-07-23 |archive-date=2013-01-26 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126191139/http://previous.jagrancityplus.com/storydetail.aspx?cityid=9&articleid=32722&catgid=21 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* World Blind Cricket Council<ref name="cricketworld">{{Cite web|last=May 2012|first=Friday 4|title=Ganguly To Be Blind T20 World Cup Brand Ambassador|url=https://www.cricketworld.com/ganguly-to-be-blind-t20-world-cup-brand-ambassador/31191.htm|access-date=2021-11-04|website=Cricket World}}</ref>
* 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==
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%.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thisweekbangalore.com/?p=9738|title=Samarthanam Students excel in SSLC Exams | This Week Bangalore}}</ref> Samarthanam uses technology to nullify disability.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/technology-played-a-major-role-in-their-success/article3453165.ece|title=Technology played a major role in their success|newspaper=The Hindu |date=May 25, 2012|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=226399|title=Mangalorean.Com- Serving Mangaloreans Around The World!}}</ref>

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. <ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=NGO For Education |url=https://www.samarthanam.org/education/ |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled |language=en-US}}</ref>

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. <ref name="auto"/>

As part of 'Vidyaprasad', Samarthanam provides [[Mid-Day|mid-day]] meals to children in government schools.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.confident-group.com/about_events_Mammooty_Nite.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713031050/http://www.confident-group.com/about_events_Mammooty_Nite.html|url-status=dead|title=Confident Group|archivedate=July 13, 2012}}</ref>

'Shrishti', Samarthanam's BPO training units in Hubli-Dharwad and Peenya, provide soft skills and call center training to people with disabilities.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2011-01-06|title=21 youths with disabilities complete call centre training|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/21-youths-with-disabilities-complete-call-centre-training/article15507893.ece|access-date=2021-11-04|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|author=Staff Reporter|date=2011-02-01|title=They're ready to take on life now|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/Theyre-ready-to-take-on-life-now/article15122875.ece|access-date=2021-11-04|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thisweekbangalore.com/?p=4916|title=Build on your Abilities for making Better Tomorrow | This Week Bangalore}}</ref>

==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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://previous.jagrancityplus.com/storydetail.aspx?articleid=35054&editionid=173&catgid=6&cityid=13 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2016-03-10 |archive-date=2013-01-27 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127090955/http://previous.jagrancityplus.com/storydetail.aspx?articleid=35054&editionid=173&catgid=6&cityid=13 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thisweekbangalore.com/?p=6699|title=Fide rating Chess championship for the blind concluded today | This Week Bangalore}}</ref>

The previous governing body handed over the responsibility of organizing cricket for the blind in India to Samarthanam.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/2011/02/09212516/Portrait-of-an-endangered-spor.html?h=C|title=Portrait of an endangered sport - Business of Life - livemint.com}}</ref> Samarthanam funded the Indian team's tour of England<ref>{{Cite news|last=Krishna|first=Geetanjali|date=2011-02-12|title=Geetanjali Krishna: A blind eye to hidden talent|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/geetanjali-krishna-a-blind-eye-to-hidden-talent-111021200040_1.html|access-date=2021-11-04}}</ref> where the Indian team defeated England in a four-match one-day series.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-08-31|title=The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Having sights on the wicket|url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/26/stories/2010082661830200.htm|access-date=2021-11-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831014735/http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/26/stories/2010082661830200.htm|archive-date=2010-08-31}}</ref> The Indian team, in collaboration with Samarthanam, also travelled to Pakistan to play the Indo-Pak series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://orissadiary.com/Shownews.asp?id=29749|title=Indian Blind Cricket To Tour Pakistan in November, Orissa News}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2012-06-10|title=A World Cup with a difference - Hindustan Times|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Cricket/CricketNews/A-World-Cup-with-a-difference/Article1-868714.aspx|access-date=2021-11-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610101519/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Cricket/CricketNews/A-World-Cup-with-a-difference/Article1-868714.aspx|archive-date=2012-06-10}}</ref> 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.<ref name="cricketworld" />

==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).<ref>{{Cite news|author=Staff Reporter|date=2011-06-25|title=Samarthanam starts rural BPO|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/samarthanam-starts-rural-bpo/article2134057.ece|access-date=2021-11-04|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The center provides employment opportunities to people with disabilities and rural youth.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-10-21|title=State rural BPOs get pro policy push|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/199595/state-rural-bpos-get-pro.html|access-date=2021-11-04|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}}</ref>

==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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://carroll.org/2010/09/16/visually-impaired-dance-troupe-from-india-visit-carroll-center|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130414100937/http://carroll.org/2010/09/16/visually-impaired-dance-troupe-from-india-visit-carroll-center|url-status=dead|title=Visually Impaired Dance Troupe from India Visit Carroll Center | The Carroll Center for the Blind|archivedate=April 14, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=238642|title=Mangalorean.Com- Serving Mangaloreans Around The World!}}</ref>

* Environment: 'Parisara' is Samarthanam's environmental initiative.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bangalore.citizenmatters.in/blogs/show_entry/4331-green-awards|title=Green Awards for PNLIT, Samarthanam, MSI - 12 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121225201712/bangalore.citizenmatters.in/blogs/show_entry/4331-green-awards|archive-date=2012-12-25}}</ref>

==Awards==
* Samarthanam was awarded the Governor's award for Excellence from the government of Karnataka, in 2002<ref>[http://eyeway.org/inspires/achievers/mahantesh Mahantesh — eyeway] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701162005/http://www.eyeway.org/inspires/achievers/mahantesh |date=2012-07-01 }}</ref>
* Founder Managing Trustee Mr. Mahantesh received the National Award for Child Welfare 2009 from the President of India<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thisweekbangalore.com/issue208/GK-Mahantesh.html|title=GK Mahantesh Conferred With National Award}}</ref>
* Mr. Mahantesh was conferred with the Aryabhatta International Award, in 2009<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mahantesh G Kivadasanavar conferred 'Aryabhata Intl. Award'|url=https://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20100409/1481894.html|access-date=2021-11-04|website=news.webindia123.com}}</ref>
* Mr. Mahantesh was honoured with the NDTV Spirit of Sport Award for 2011, in the Against the Odds - Lifetime Achievement category<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/micro/marksforsports/winnerCont.aspx|title=Marks for Sports: Award Winners}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/micro/marksforsports/voices.aspx?id=223065|title=Marks for Sports: All the latest videos}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mangalorean.com/news.php?newsid=294913&newstype=local|title=Mangalorean.Com- Serving Mangaloreans Around The World!}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Blind cricket]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Disability organisations based in India]]

Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled - Revision history

Robertoson: Adding a data!