Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled is a National Award winning NGO established in the year 1997 by Founder Managing Trustee Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar and his schoolmate and childhood friend, Late Sugur Paramashivaiah Nagesh.
Samarthanam,one of the biggest NGOs in India, works for the empowerment of persons with disabilities and the underserved through its diverse initiatives focused on providing quality education, accommodation, nutritious food, vocational training and placement based rehabilitation. It facilitates opportunities to enable persons with disabilities and the underserved to keep pace with the rest of the society.
Today, Samarthanam Trust stands to be a complete solution provider by supporting education and livelihood needs of persons with disabilities and those from underprivileged backgrounds. The organization also facilitates direct livelihood opportunities to hundreds of persons with disabilities and women in distress through its Social Enterprises. Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), the cricketing arm of Samarthanam, fosters the game of blind cricket and the visually impaired players across India.
INITIATIVES
EDUCATION
Samarthanam equips people with disabilities and the underserved with superior education facilities and allied activities through their Residential primary and high schools, Special School for Intellectually Disabled, Higher Education support, and Digital Book Libraries.
SKILLING
15 Livelihood Resource Centres (LRC) provide technical and sector based skill training in BPO and Call Centre operations to youth with disabilities and underserved backgrounds.
REHABILITATION
Swadhara provides shelter for women with disabilities, economically backward and distressed. Also provides counseling support and vocational training.
SPORTS
Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), the cricketing arm of Samarthanam, governs cricket for the blind in India and is affiliated to World Blind Cricket Limited.
CULTURE
Sunadha is a group of artists with disabilities who excel in classical and folk dance forms, performing on various national and international platforms.
ENVIRONMENT
Parisara is a dry and e-waste management programme collecting, scientifically segregating and recycling waste for sustainable development.
HEALTH & NUTRITION
The Mid-day Meal Programme provides food to children from Government schools in Bangalore.
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACCELERATOR
Samarthanam, through ATA, aspires to reach people with disabilities through technology at an affordable cost.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Sevaa Dharmik Award from Latha Raja Foundation Hyderabad in recognition of his humanitarian contributions to society-2022
Honorary Doctorate for humanitarian contributions to society through sports from Kuvempu University at its 32nd Convocation from the Chancellor of the University and Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka, Shri Thawar Chand Gehlot-2022
GC Surana Transformation Leadership Award at GCS Conclave-2022
Sandesha Awards for Excellence in the field of Culture & Education by Sandesha Foundation-2021
66th Kannada Rajyotsava award by the News Paper Association of Karnataka-2021
Chanakya Award for Global Indian of the year-2021
SABAL Awards felicitates Individuals for bringing positive changes in the life of PwD’s-2020
Honorary Doctorate by the Brampton International University-2020
The Indian Psychiatric Society – Karnatak Chapter at its 30th Annual Conference e-KANCIPS bestowed the IPS- KC Distinguished Service Award-2020
Rotary Karnataka CSR Award for the category CSR Implementation Excellence in Skill Development and Livelihoods-2020
NAB Sarojini Trilok Nath Award-2019
Open-Republic TV Award under the Special Jury Mention- Category-2019
Finalist for the Namma Bengaluru Award under the Best Citizen of the Year category-2019
Sri Sathya Sai Award for Human Excellence-2019
CNBC-TV18 India Business Leader Award for Oustanding Contribution to Brand India-2018
Cavin Kare Ability Award for Eminence-2018
National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities-2017
Organized second T20 Cricket for the Blind – World Cup in India-2017
NASSCOM Social Innovation Award – 2016
UN Consultative status awarded – 2015
Spirit of Human Award received – 2015
National Award – 2014
PMI Award for best Project Management – 2013
NCPEDP Shell Helen Keller Award in the Best Role Model category – 2013
NDTV spirit of sports award for lifetime achievement in the field of sports against odds in – 2012
India Awakening Award from Hindustan Times for social change in India – 2012
Green Star Award by TCS World 10K – 2012
Vajrakumara Award for excellence in providing better lifestyle for PWDs in – 2011
National Award for Child welfare in – 2010
State Award for services rendered to persons with disability in – 2009
Aryabhata International Award – 2009
State Award for Services to Children in – 2007
Regional Awardee for The India NGO Award – 2006
Governor’s award of Excellence for community services – 2002
