Sarthak Educational Trust campaigns for Atmanirbhar Divyangs at Amitabh Bachchan’s KBC12 Karamveer Series

Mumbai / Delhi, 28^th Nov 2020: Kaun Banega Crorepati 12 has begun with its special karamveer episodes that brings forth changemakers and fighters who make a difference in real life. KBC's karamveer episodes are getting a lot of appreciation for bringing real heroes on the show.

The quiz show’s today's episode featured Dr. Jitender Aggarwal & Dr. Suman Aggarwal from Sarthak Educational Trust which has trained and placed 20,000 divyangs so far across the country through the NGO.

Dr. Jitender Aggarwal was himself diagnosed with macular degeneration of retina, a non-treatable concern, at the age of 30, which took away his vision. Jitender, who was practising dentistry then, was suddenly drooping into darkness and did not know what to do. While he was exploring livelihood options for himself, he realised the challenges of people with disabilities (PwDs) in India. The organization was started in year 2008 with opening of their first training center for disabled in the Capital.

Dr. Aggarwal shares, "It has been a great privilege to be at the platform and telling none other than Bollywood Megastar Shri Amitabh Bachchan about the vision of Sarthak Educational Trust – Sarthak ka Prayas, Har Divyang Ka Vikas (The efforts of Sarthak to ensure growth and development of all people with disability). The complete experience of shooting for the episode has been really heart-warming and a complete roller coaster ride when Shri Bachchan asked about the journey of starting Sarthak"

The idea of Sarthak Educational Trust right from its inception was to provide financial independence to people with disability. Today, Sarthak has a full-fledged office in Delhi, 20 other training centers all over India, has trained and placed 20,000 divyangs so far. A three month course helps individuals with various disabilities pick up life skills and be market ready. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sarthak went a step ahead to scale its activities in the virtual space, and got more members on board.

"Within a week after the lockdown was announced, Sarthak started online training programmes for its members. However, the earlier days were a bit challenging. Despite the challenges, our team was able to lay down an idea to take our programmes to the virtual space.  Sarthak has thus been reaching out to PwDs via telecom and video conferencing and helping them with COVID-19 counselling, virtual vocational skill development training, and employment support,” shares Dr. Aggarwal.

He further adds, "Since then, about 2,500 people with disabilities have been trained successfully through the online sessions, out of which 1,000 people have landed a job. Thus, the pandemic provided an opportunity for Sarthak to scale its reach"

On being asked about, how the amount will be utilized, Dr. Aggarwal also talked about his dream project of - Global Resource Center (https://sarthakindia.org/sgrc.php) - where all services to persons with disability will be provided under a single roof.

He shares, "We relived the journey of last 12 years and its beautiful moments, our dream of an inclusive society, equal opportunity, success and access for people with disability".

Big B thanked the couple for their efforts and said that the stories they shared on KBC 12 will create awareness. The couple won Rs 25 lakh which will go towards their NGO, Sarthak Educational Trust.

Masses can additionally support the NGO and empower persons with disabilities by reaching out to the following link https://sarthakindia.org/donation.php. Here's how your contribution can help:

1.      Supporting Sarthak Global Resource Center for Persons with disabilities

2.      Supporting Sarthak for opening new centers in Patna, Ranchi, Thiruvantrapuram, Ahmedabad, Shimla, Guwahati, Raipur, Dehradun, Jammu and Banaras

3.      Since all the existing centers of Sarthak are on rent, so people can donate land, or assets for to Sarthak for opening center in their location

4.      People can donate for ensuring training and placement of Persons with disability by contributing INR 16500.

About Sarthak Educational Trust

Sarthak Educational Trust has been working since 2008 and in the last 12 years has successfully reached out to 4% (0.8 million) of disabled populace in India and Trained and placed- 20000 and Placed - 18000 PwDs to let them excel in their fields and inspire many. Our 19 centers (New Delhi (4), Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Lucknow, Ambala, Bhopal, Jaipur, Kolkata, Pune, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Vishakhapatnam, Chennai, Thane) are actively engaged in creating productive citizens of India through life cycle approach and Early Intervention, Inclusive Education, Skill Development, Employment Generation, and Advocacy programs (www.sarthakindia.org).

National Abilympic Association of India has been working to ensure excellence in vocational skills by organizing regional and national level Abilympics in India and representing India in International Abilympics since 2001 (www.abilympicsindia.org)