Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Helping the disabled to fight odds

Helping the disabled to fight odds

It is a busy day for Rajesh Prajapati (30), who is heading the Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) department at an e-commerce company, which in turn handles the operations of a US-based company.

He has already tied up with five organisations for advertisements on his clients' webportal before it's sunrise in the US, a target considered 'outstanding ' for a team of five to achieve in a single day.

As the sun sets in Jaipur, Prajapati convenes a meeting with his team and leaves for home in an autorickshaw.

Four years ago, life was not the same for Prajapati, a resident of Eta district in Uttar Pradesh. Physically challenged by birth with disability in the right leg and right hand, hardships along with society's discrimination followed. He managed to complete his graduation. But, finding a job was an uphill task as companies refused to recruit him owing to his disability.

With depression taking the better of him, life changed completely for Prajapati when he came across a Jaipur-based NGO Samaj Kalyan at Mansarovar, run by city-based businessman and philanthropist Gyan Chand Kothari. He joined SK's computer training classes. "They offered free training, accommodation and meal besides parental care which was necessary to overcome my depression. I owe my success to them, they raised my level from a graduate to a team leader in a reputed company," says a confident Prajapati.

In a similar manner, hundreds of disabled over the years have benefited from the computer course offered exclusively to them by the NGO. The training is imparted by professionals, who prepare them for job interviews.

Kothari, who has an established jewellery business, started this social venture nearly a decade and a half ago. "I decided to set-up a computer training school for these students. We started this journey with 10 students and raised it to 60 students every year," says Kothari.

The management, identifies the interest area and qualifications of each individual, and then imparts him/her training on a particular field. Besides a computer school, the NGO also imparts vocational training in wielding.

Kothari has also started a day care centre for aged, also providing them food and clothing. In winters, he erects canopies for the poor and needy in the city. These days, Kothari has initiated a new venture of providing surgical equipment at a token amount of Re 1. He along with a few friends and relatives pooled in money to buy the equipment.

Source: timesofindia

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