Wants to help 10 lakh disabled people by 2030 through Samarthanam Trust
By Zahid H Javali
Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar needs no introduction. The 50-year-old resident of Sector 4 for the last six years has an enviable track record. The partially-blind social worker is the founder and managing trustee of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, which was awarded the Special UN Consultative Status in 2015. His 24-year-old non-profit is spread across 15 cities in India in addition to offices in the US and UK. With an employee strength of 526 (37% women), 34% of them are differently-abled.
What’s even more laud-worthy is that he has over 10,000 volunteers and over 100 corporates helping him with their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. With such wider acclaim, milestones are bound to happen. According to him, Samarthanam has educated over 11000 kids since inception (1997), rehabilitated 2567 women, trained 9550 people and found jobs for 7100. That’s not all. They have helped 100 artists give 3000 performances across three continents and touched over 25000 visually-impaired cricketers. They have covered three lakh households and processed 2.4 lakh tonnes of dry waste. Mahantesh is also the President of the World Blind Cricket Ltd and the Cricket Association for the Blind in India. Excerpts from an interview with him.
HIS DAY BEGINS WITH A PRAYER
I pray for the well-being of all my people at home, office, the society and beyond. After an enthusiastic interaction with my kids about themselves and their school, I come to office and begin my day with loads of fresh greetings. An average day is usually filled with heaps of phone calls, emails, meetings, interactions and documents. I am a people’s person and inclined towards listening to each and every person who comes to me, be it a school kid or a corporate executive. On an average, I am active for 17 hours a day.
MILESTONES
When I hear that one Samarthanam student has become the first blind chartered accountant, I feel proud and consider it as my biggest accomplishment at that moment. If a school kid wins a competition or if an artist from Sunada receives a standing ovation for their performance, I would like to take it as an accomplishment. But my biggest achievement will be when I see each and every person with disabilities as a tax payer and not as a dole recipient.
TURNING POINT IN HIS LIFE
I was born in a farming village in Belgaum district and lost my vision when I was six months old. The schools in the village did not readily accept me. I was only allowed to sit in the last bench and listen in. My affectionate family later admitted me into Shree Ramana Maharishi Academy for the Blind in Bangalore for my primary education. That was a major turning point in my life. The school gave me the foundation for who I am today. I started playing cricket in the same school and went on to play an international match in England (1986). The friends that I made in school are still with me, standing by my side.
RUNNING A NON-PROFIT
Running Samarthanam was quite difficult when it was taking its baby steps. We had to go about asking for funds and making people understand our true purpose. Fortunately, Samarthanam was well received by the people and the government. As years went by, we started receiving a lot of support from everyone and I am thankful to all my supporters for believing in me. I am delighted to say that certain donors who gave their first contribution to Samarthanam are still with me.
SURVIVAL MANTRA
Samarthanam does not have any formula. It is all based on the love and support of people that we believe in. It was difficult to stand on our feet in the very beginning but as people started realising that we were wedded to our mission, we received a lot of support. Today, Samarthanam is well respected for its vision and mission. We believe in tapping every possible door for partnership, whether it is a neighbour or people from other states or countries. A multi-pronged strategy without any hesitation in reaching out has kept us growing constantly.
LESSONS FOR NGOs
Every non-profit has to be proactive and innovative in their approach towards raising friends and funds. NGOs should constantly update themselves on the changing rules, regulations and societal trends. They should modify their strategy and adapt to the changing situation and economic circumstances. The NGOs should also be flexible in accepting and accommodating interesting opportunities. But the most important criteria for the growth and sustenance of NGOs is to keep their credibility intact — there should be no compromise on compliances.”
FUTURE PLANS
I want to touch 10 lakh People with Disabilities (PwD) by 2030. I want to take Samarthanam programmes to each and every door in every state and reach out to all the people with disabilities. I want PwDs to come out, take up their choice of career or sport or education and pursue it without any hindrance. They have the talent… all they need is encouragement and support. I want to support them until they realise their goals.
