Who’s the force behind this organisation that is working so hard to provide ummeed in the lives of these children and their families? It’s the powerful combination of Vibha Krishnamurthy and John Thattil. While Vibha brings a rare blend of intensive medical training and innate intuition to the table, John has over 16 years of experience…
National Association for the Blind, India – How it all began
The NAB was setup by a certain Mr. Alpaiwala. Initially destined to become a lawyer, Mr. Alpaiwala became involved with the cause of the blind when he himself lost his vision in his late-twenties due to Retinitis Pigmentosa – an inherited, degenerative eye disease that causes severe vision impairment and often blindness. So from law, Mr. Alpaiwalla…
Being a reader for the visually impaired
One of the interesting aspects of my visit to the NAB’s Worli office was my chance meeting with Soham Sen. A first year student at Symbiosis college at Pune, Soham was back home for the 2 month summer holidays. And unlike most teenagers his age, he’d decided that he would like to spend part of…
NASEOH – Tackling disability from the core
If you were a disabled person what is that one thing you would always pray for? That your disability be taken away, right? Now, what could be the next best thing you could pray for? That despite your disability, you be able to live as normal a life as possible, isn’t it? Well, that’s exactly…
Ummeed – an organisation that personifies special care
The three days I spent at Ummeed opened my eyes – really wide, might I add – to the world of special care. From the minute I entered their simple and cheerful Chinchpokli office, I could not help but notice how professionalism and care define everything that they do. Beginning from the name tag I…
Enter the World of the Visually Impaired at the National Association for the Blind
It’s hard to believe that less than 100 meters away from the sprawling and flashy Phoenix Mills lies a world just the opposite – at the King George V Memorial, as you turn towards Mahalaxmi station, which is home to over a dozen NGOs. Quiet and bare, this world is home to people in need…
Pay a visit to MESCO to be impressed by its professionalism and social impact
A visit to the nonprofit MESCO left me impressed – truly impressed – in more ways than one. From the variety of programmes being implemented to the manner of selecting beneficiaries, to the meticulous processes followed, to the compassion and patience of the staff shown towards the beneficiaries that approached them – where do I…
Did you know your old newspapers can help people in need?
How many times does the thought of helping the poor cross your mind? Do you act on that feeling or do you just let it pass? Unlike most of us, Mohammed Abbas Khatkhatay and his friends just could not let that feeling pass. Which is why instead of just talking about it, they decided to actually…
A trip to the grocery story I will never forget
As cliched as this may sound, the next time you make a face at what’s prepared for dinner at home or waste the last few servings of a dish, do think about those who barely get a square meal a day. Seriously. Yesterday, I paid a visit to Pramani stores at Kurla. It is here…
Lives changed by the Dignity Foundation
I spent the day at the Dignity Foundation from the 1st to the 5th of June, hoping to meet recipients of their rations programme. It is on the first five days of every month that recipients on this programme come down to collect the same. But it turned out that because of the pouring rains,…