Adhik Kadam

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Adhik Kadam
Adhik Kadam.jpg
Adhik Kadam at village, Sulkoot Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir
Born
Adhik Sadashiv Kadam

(1977-08-23) 23 August 1977 (age 46)
Pune, Maharashtra
NationalityIndian
EducationMaster of Arts in Political science
Alma materBharati Vidyapeeth, Sir Parashurambhau College, Savitribai Phule Pune University
OccupationSocial entrepreneur, social activist, peace maker
Years active1996–present
Known forBorderless World Foundation,
Basera E Tabassum
Parent(s)Vimal Kadam, Sadashiv Kadam

Adhik Kadam is an Indian social entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is on a peacebuilding and peacekeeping mission, working in the conflict zones of Jammu and Kashmir.[1][unreliable source?] Kadam has completed a master's degree in political science. He is a co-founder and the chairman of Borderless World Foundation, which is an NGO that works for the deprived and victimized people of the border areas of India.[2][3] The NGO runs four orphanage homes for girls in four districts of Jammu and Kashmir.[4][5]

Career[edit]

Early in his career, Kadam worked for many non-profit organizations as a Volunteer.[6] He started visiting Kashmir on an educational tour in 1997.[7] At the age of 19, he visited a Kashmiri Pandit refugee camp in Jammu to observe their conditions.[8] During the Kargil War, he worked on the forefront, especially for the refugees who were displaced in Kargil, Batalik and Drass Sectors.[9][better source needed] Later he worked with Balraj Puri[10] and the Institute of J & K Affairs on the project of "Children affected by armed conflict in Jammu & Kashmir" which was sponsored by UNICEF.[11][unreliable source?][12]

He founded the Borderless World Foundation (BWF) in 2002 with another activist from Pune, Bharati Mamani and a local resident, Mohiuddin Mir who had been active in the region since 1998. The primary objective of the NGO was to assist orphans and provide for their basic necessities with a focus on education. They worked extensively under the project of "Basera-e-Tabassum" (Abode of Smiles) to establish orphanages for girls in the Kupwara district and later in Budgam district. Mohiuddin Mir was killed in 2005 by militants.[13] From only 2 girls in 2002, the foundation has grown to accommodate more than 220 girls falling in the age group of 18 months to 20 years at four centers and can support at least 1000+ girls in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.[4][14] The first center was established in the Sulkoot village of Kupwara.[15]

Kadam has opened several group homes for orphans of the war, particularly females who according to him are the most vulnerable in conflict situations. He was kidnapped by militants who suspected him of working for intelligence agencies but was released on the intervention of locals. He was later detained by security forces who had grown suspicious of him as he was released by the militants unharmed.[8] Kadam is said to lead an ascetic lifestyle having dedicated his life to service and lives as described by an article in India Currents magazine as a "penniless vagabond".[16] He considers his work to be a spiritual journey.[17][unreliable source?]

Borderless World Foundation[edit]

Kadam started Borderless World Foundation (BWF) in 2002 with the objective of creating a more humanitarian world.[18][19] While conducting a children-centric socio-economic survey of the region, he gained insight into the challenges of the people living in these areas. He has worked on various ad hoc programs for local communities with am emphasis on those who had been widowed in the conflict before founding the organisation.[20]

Currently, the BWF houses around 230 girls. More than 110 girls have been re-integrated into their communities and 40 are pursuing higher education.[21] Kadam hopes to restore a "culture of faith" to the communities of Kashmir. The BWF currently has various ongoing projects and programs for humanitarian purposes.[22]

Basera-e-Tabassum[edit]

Kadam initiated Basera-e-Tabassum (BeT), a shelter program established in 2002 for girls who lost their parents as a result of the armed conflict or terrorism during the ongoing Kashmir conflict.[23] The four centers (group-homes) in Kashmir region are called Basera-e-Tabassum (abode of smiles) and the one in Jammu is called  Fah (Facilitate and accomplish with humility).[24][16] The BeT centers also assist mothers who have lost their husbands in the conflict in providing financial and material aid to their children.[25][26][27] The BeT is supported by a few prominent philanthropists and well-wishers like the Holkar Family, Syed Ata Hasnain, Balraj Puri and Dr. S.Natarajan.[citation needed] The BeT also maintains facilities which allow children to travel to various cities for educational and exposure tours, and for higher education in professional courses.[28]

Kashmir Life Line[edit]

Kashmir Life Line is an ambulance service launched in 2015 with the aid of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.[29] Kadam, during his time, working in Kashmir had witnessed many deaths because of lack of emergency services for medical emergencies.[30][31] He initiated the Kashmir Life Line medical services in the Kashmir valley to help remedy the issue.[32][33] Border Security Force and J&K, Directorate of Health Services are also partnering in this project and run ambulances in border areas under this project.[34][35][30]

Helping pellet victims[edit]

In the 2016–17 Kashmir unrest, due to use of pellet guns by security forces, many children and youths aged between 10 and 30 got completely or partially blinded, during protests and curfews.[36][37] More than 1200 cases were registered in hospitals. who were in need of treatment from specialists; otherwise they could lose their vision permanently.[38][39] Kadam assisted in humanitarian efforts with the help of the BWF by organizing doctors from across India, and asking them to come to Kashmir to perform eye surgeries for free.[40][41] Dr. S N Natarajan[42] at Aditya Jyot Hospital,[43] and, Dr. Mahesh P Shanmugam and Sankara Eye Foundation[44] at L V Prasad Hospital helped with recommending experts and provided free surgeries.[45][46] Kadam had brought more than a dozen doctors[47] to Kashmir to perform some of the most critical surgeries in SMHS Hospital[48][49] in Srinagar.[50][51]

Rah-e-Niswan[edit]

Rah-e-Niswan (women's way), is a social entrepreneurship campaign in Kupwara. Initiated by Kadam, it is a project for women entrepreneurs in Jammu and Kashmir. The project trains girls in making sanitary napkins,[52] computerized embroidery,[53] stitching, knitting, fabric painting, and tailoring.[dead link][54] The aim of the project is to assist them in being self-sufficient and financially independent. Kadam has also helped young girls and boys to find jobs in various cities.[55]

Jammu Life Line[edit]

Jammu Life Line was launched in 2017 by Kadam.[56] It is an ambulance service started for the people on the border districts of the Jammu region.[57] Kadam started the project after documenting the lives of people living on the Line of Control (LoC). The Indo-Pakistan border at LoC is considered perilous where skirmishes occur occasionally and sometimes result in civilian casualties.[58] The Jammu Life Line project is also partnered with the Border Security Force.[59]

In popular culture[edit]

Kadam has given inspirational talks at various platforms. He was a speaker at a TED (conference) at Rajarambapu Institute of Technology(RIT).[60][61] He has also been a speaker at Stanford University, UC Berkeley, Princeton University and at various Rotary International clubs.[62][63][64] He also appeared in Kon Honar Karodpati television show.

Kadam was a finalist and speaker for National Conference on Social Innovation (NCSI) in 2018 organised by Pune International Centre, headed by Raghunath Anant Mashelkar, National Innovation Foundation and Tata Institute of Social Sciences.[65][66] He was named an INK Fellow at the 2016 INK Conferences.[67]

Awards and recognition[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ "Adhik Kadam's spiritual journey of service and suffering | TwoCircles.net". twocircles.net. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  2. ↑ "Pune duo bring cheer to Kashmiri kids – Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  3. ↑ "Mission beautiful Kashmir – Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Pune man gives new home to girls orphaned by violence in J". 12 February 2011.
  5. ↑ "A safe haven for war torn girls – ThinkChange India". Archived from the original on 13 October 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  6. ↑ "Adhik: The Guardian Angel of Kashmiri Girls". 22 November 2016.
  7. ↑ Pti (12 February 2011). "Pune man gives new home to girls orphaned by violence in J". www.oneindia.com.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Wire, H. P. (24 May 2012). "Adhik Kadam's spiritual journey of service and suffering".
  9. ↑ "Adhik Kadam's 100-mile bike ride for 100 donors – Asha Stanford".
  10. ↑ flrvs (12 August 2005). "Young victims of militancy". Frontline.in. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  11. ↑ "Adhik Kadam's Journey of Service and Suffering : Islamic Voice".
  12. ↑ Krishnan, Madhuvanti S. (1 December 2016). "Against all ODDS". The Hindu.
  13. ↑ "Perspective: The Children of the Valley". Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  14. ↑ "Orphaned by militancy, girls get new lease of life - Early Times Newspaper Jammu Kashmir". earlytimes.in.
  15. ↑ "How Green is My Valley – Indian Express".
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Akkaraju, Vibha (1 August 2016). "Kashmir's Girls".
  17. ↑ "'Dhumastya Barfatal Aanandghar' saluting the spiritual service of Adhik Kadam only on Reportaaz". briefingwire.com.
  18. ↑ Roy, Himanshu (16 December 2016). "Meet Adhik Kadam, Father To 200 Orphan Kashmiri Girls".
  19. ↑ "Adhik Kadam's "Borderless" is more than an organization". Your Philanthropy Story. 17 August 2016.
  20. ↑ "Why a Man From Maharashtra is Educating the Daughters of Militants Killed in Encounters in Kashmir". The Better India. 20 November 2016.
  21. ↑ "Majha katta Chat With Adhik Kadam". Hotstar.
  22. ↑ ABP Majha (13 October 2018). "माझा कट्टा - बॉर्डरलेस वर्ल्ड फाउंडेशनच्या अधिक कदम यांच्याशी दिलखुलास गप्पा" – via YouTube.
  23. ↑ Shoma Chatterji (15 April 2009). "An 'abode of smile' for Kashmir orphans – OWSA: OneWorld South Asia - Latest news on sustainable development, features, opinions, interviews with NGO leaders and multimedia from India and South Asia". Southasia.oneworld.net. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  24. ↑ "Home for orphan girls celebrates foundation day - Early Times Newspaper Jammu Kashmir". earlytimes.in.
  25. ↑ "The Grace of Charity". 15 August 2011.
  26. ↑ Sadia (9 September 2009). "Fragmented Impressions: Basera-e-Tabassum (Kashmir)".
  27. ↑ "The Travelling Chinar Grove". www.outlookindia.com.
  28. ↑ "Mumbai wows 30 orphan girls of the Valley". Hindustan Times. 6 January 2010.
  29. ↑ ul-Haq, Shuja-ul-Haq (21 September 2015). "NGOs launch first critical care ambulance system in Jammu and Kashmir". India Today.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 "Mufti launches four trauma care ambulances in state". Tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  31. ↑ "In Kashmir, 4 'Strategic Locations' to Have 'Critical Care' Ambulance Services". 31 May 2015.
  32. ↑ Excelsior, Daily (13 October 2017). "Borderless World Foundation donates six ambulances".
  33. ↑ "BWF, CRDP to launch critical care services". Rising Kashmir.
  34. ↑ नेटवर्क, रक्षक न्यूज़ (14 October 2017). "सीमा सुरक्षा बल (BSF) को स्वंयसेवी संस्था BWF से मिली एंबुलेंस".
  35. ↑ "Borderless World Foundation donates ambulance - Early Times Newspaper Jammu Kashmir". earlytimes.in.
  36. ↑ "September - 2016 - Kashmir Solidarity Group, Mumbai".
  37. ↑ "Blinded by pellets, Kashmiris wait for eye doctors from Mumbai for help - Parth MN".
  38. ↑ "#Day20: Attention Pellet Victims! Call Borderless World Foundation For Treatment". 28 July 2016.
  39. ↑ Reader, K. "Dr Natarajan returning to Kashmir for pellet victims". Archived from the original on 6 April 2019. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  40. ↑ "Pune: Doctors a ray of hope for victims of pellet guns". 21 December 2016.
  41. ↑ "Blinded by pellets, Kashmiris wait for eye doctors from Mumbai for help". CatchNews.com.
  42. ↑ "Aditya Jyot Eye Hospital". adityajyoteyehospital.org.
  43. ↑ "Pellet victim Insha in Mumbai to regain eyesight » Kashmir Media Service". Archived from the original on 16 November 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  44. ↑ "Helping Hands". 23 November 2016.
  45. ↑ "Padma Awardee Retina Surgeon in Kashmir To Treat Pellet Injuries". NDTV.com.
  46. ↑ Raina, Anil (28 July 2016). "Mumbai docs treat pellet injuries in Kashmir". Mumbai Mirror.
  47. ↑ KNS (19 August 2016). "Attention pellet victims". KNS.
  48. ↑ "Chennai surgeon comes to aid of pellet victims". Tribuneindia.com. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  49. ↑ "Kaniyakumari doctor's mission Kashmir: Illuminating lives of pellet victims". Rising Kashmir.
  50. ↑ "Plight of Kashmiri youth suffering from pellet injuries tragic". The Indian Express. 30 August 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  51. ↑ "An Epidemic of 'Dead Eyes' in Kashmir as India Uses Pellet Guns on Protesters". The New York Times. 28 August 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  52. ↑ "In Kashmir, two girls combat menstrual taboo, unhygienic practices". theweek.in.
  53. ↑ "Determined Kupwara girl earns name in digital embroidery". Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  54. ↑ [1][dead link]
  55. ↑ "Story of two extraordinary girls of Borderless Foundation". 8 November 2017.
  56. ↑ "NGO hands over ambulance to BSF in Jammu". The Week.
  57. ↑ Jammu, Greater (3 April 2019). "Critical Care Ambulance Provided for the Border Areas - Greater Jammu -- The Daily News Paper".
  58. ↑ "LoC Skirmishes". Kashmir Observer. January 2020.
  59. ↑ Desk, Devdiscourse News. "Pune based NGO donates ambulance to BSF in Jammu". Devdiscourse.
  60. ↑ "TEDxRajarambapuIT - TED". ted.com.
  61. ↑ "MVP". cosw.in.
  62. ↑ "Works - F5 Multimedia Studio".
  63. ↑ "Mumbai Diary: Sunday Dossier". mid-day. 28 February 2016.
  64. ↑ Prabhudesai, Pranav (24 June 2015). "Adhik Kadam Talking at Rotary, USA" – via YouTube.
  65. ↑ "National Conference on Social Innovation (NCSI)".
  66. ↑ "Device to detect diabetes early wins award". The Times of India.
  67. ↑ "Stories, Ideas and Perspectives - 300+ Inspirational talks by remarkable people from INK events -". inktalks.com.
  68. ↑ "Mother Teresa Memorial Awards". Mother Teresa Memorial Awards. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
  69. ↑ "Winners of Spirit of Mastek Awards". mastek.com. Archived from the original on 14 September 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  70. ↑ Adhik Kadam (29 September 2015). "adhik MA TA sanman" – via YouTube.
  71. ↑ ajinkya gadave (15 December 2011), adhik kadam Indradhanu yuwanmesh award 2011, retrieved 31 August 2016
  72. ↑ "CSO Partners Award".
  73. ↑ "NBC Awards". Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  74. ↑ "ICA Awards".
  75. ↑ "IMerit & Anudip Honored for Social Entrepreneurship | iMerit". Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  76. ↑ Maharashtra1 Tv (18 April 2016). "Savitri Sanman 2016" – via YouTube.
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