SAMARTH – Gajapati | Empowering Persons with Disabilities
Est. 2004 · District-Level OPD · Gajapati, Odisha

Empowering Every Ability
for a Dignified Life

SAMARTH is a District-level Organization of Persons with Disabilities operating across 299 villages in 7 blocks of Gajapati District for over 21 years — championing rights, inclusion, and sustainable livelihoods through community-based rehabilitation.

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PwD Members
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Self-Help Groups
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Villages Covered
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Years of Service
Societies Act 1860 NITI Aayog Regd. 80G · 12A CSR Eligible RPwD Act Regd.
3,015 PwD Members Mobilized284 Self-Help Groups Formed868 Micro-Enterprises in Operation1,075 Disability Certificates Issued₹1.93 Crore Social Security Funds MobilizedBest Community-Based Organization Award 2023299 Villages · 7 Blocks · Gajapati District 3,015 PwD Members Mobilized284 Self-Help Groups Formed868 Micro-Enterprises in Operation1,075 Disability Certificates Issued₹1.93 Crore Social Security Funds MobilizedBest Community-Based Organization Award 2023299 Villages · 7 Blocks · Gajapati District
21+
Years Active
🤝
Community Network Meeting · Gajapati
Founded 2004
🎓
Capacity Building & OPD Training
🏆
Best CBO Award · Dec 2023
About SAMARTH

A District Movement Born
From Compassion & Need

SAMARTH was established in 2004 by the Centre for Community Development (CCD) upon recognizing the critical need for organized support for Persons with Disabilities in Gajapati District. The organization is led by two visually impaired individuals — embodying the very inclusion it champions.

Operating through a Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) approach, SAMARTH has built a network of 284 Self-Help Groups and 6 Block-level Organizations of Persons with Disabilities across 299 villages and 7 administrative blocks.

🏛️Institutional Building & OPD Promotion
📢Lobby, Advocacy & Policy Change
💼Economic Rehabilitation & Livelihoods
🌐State & National Level Networking
🎓Capacity Building of PwD Members
Barrier-Free & Inclusive Access

🔭 Vision

An inclusive society where PwDs enjoy full participation, equal opportunities, and lead dignified lives free from discrimination.

🎯 Mission

Foster unity among PwDs, provide essential services, ensure equal opportunities, and empower PwDs to become productive citizens.

Impact Data

21 Years.
Real Numbers.
Real Change.

Every figure represents a life transformed — a right accessed, a barrier removed, a family empowered across Gajapati's 299 villages.

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PwD Members Mobilized
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0
Self-Help Groups
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Micro-Enterprises Active
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Disability Certificates
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Pension Beneficiaries
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Aids Distributed
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0
MGNREGS Job Cards
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Funds Mobilized
Data & Analytics

Member Engagement &
Program Participation

Transparent metrics showing how SAMARTH's 3,015 members are engaged across core programs and government schemes.

Program Reach Among 3,015 Members
Members in Self-Employment53%
Trained on Rights & RPwD Act 201653%
Linked to Social Security Schemes28%
Vocational Skills Training Completed25%
Madhu Babu Pension Coverage78%
UDID Card Distribution65%
Member Distribution by Program
3,015
Total
Members
Self-Employment
1,600
Rights Training
1,584
Social Security
858
Vocational Skills
767
SHG Members
284 groups
Government Scheme Access (2023–24)
🆔 Disability Certificates1,075
💳 UDID Cards Issued1,075
🏠 Madhu Babu Pension3,661
🦽 Aids & Appliances699
🍱 NFSA Food Cards140
🏥 BSKY Health Cards140
🌾 MGNREGS Job Cards210
🏡 PMAY-G Housing42
🚂 Rail Concession Certs.95
💰 Total Funds Mobilized₹1.93 Cr

Our Key Focus Areas & Initiatives

View All Programs
📚
Capacity Building

Rights Education & OPD Strengthening

Training PwD members and OPD leaders on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, SDGs, gender equity, and financial management for informed community advocacy.

✅ 1,584 members trained on rights & entitlements
🔧
Economic Empowerment

Vocational Training & Livelihood Development

Skill development across 13 trades including mobile repairing, tailoring, jute bag making, computer skills, and sanitary napkin production for sustainable income.

✅ 767 trained · 868 self-employed PwD members
📣
Policy Advocacy

Government Linkage & Policy Advocacy

Presenting memorandums to government, representation on State Advisory Boards, and advocating for accessible infrastructure and inclusive electoral processes.

✅ 11 network meetings · State board representation
🏦
Financial Inclusion

Social Security & Financial Access

Facilitating access to disability pension, NFSA food security, BSKY health cards, PMAY-G housing, MGNREGS employment, and transport concessions.

✅ ₹1.93 Crore mobilized · 3,661 pension beneficiaries
🤲
Institution Building

SHG & OPD Institution Building

Building PwD institutions from village to state level — promoting collective solidarity, peer leadership, and organized advocacy for systemic inclusion.

✅ 284 SHGs · 6 Block-level OPDs across 7 blocks
Accessibility

Barrier-Free Environment & Inclusion

Advocating for accessible public infrastructure, inclusive education, barrier-free railway stations, and accessible polling booths for full participation.

✅ Railway access secured · Electoral inclusion advocacy
Economic Empowerment

868 Micro-Enterprises
Actively Running

SAMARTH has supported PwD members to establish sustainable income-generating enterprises across these trades — enabling financial independence, dignity, and self-reliance.

868
PwD-led Enterprisesin active operation across Gajapati, generating sustainable livelihoods for families.
📱
Mobile Repairing
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Tailoring
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Jute Bag Making
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Phenyl Production
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Agarbatti Making
🍃
Leaf Plate Mfg.
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Animal Husbandry
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Bike Repairing
💻
Computer Training
🛍️
Petty Shop / Retail
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Millet Value Addition
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Sanitary Napkin Prod.
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Seasonal Business
Government Scheme Linkages

Service Delivery &
Entitlements Accessed

Through structured convergence with line departments of Gajapati District Administration, SAMARTH has facilitated access to these critical services for its members.

1,075
🆔
Disability Certificates Issued
Issued in partnership with district line departments to ensure PwDs are eligible for specialized government benefits and social protection services.
3,661
💰
Madhu Babu Pension Beneficiaries
Ensuring financial stability and monthly income support through the state disability pension scheme for PwD families across Gajapati.
699
🦽
Aids & Appliances Distributed
Wheelchairs, crutches, hearing aids, white canes, and other assistive devices to enhance mobility, independence, and quality of life.
210
🌾
MGNREGS Job Cards Issued
Government employment scheme access for PwDs, promoting economic empowerment and social security through guaranteed wage work.
140
🏥
BSKY Health Cards Facilitated
Access to quality secondary and tertiary healthcare for PwD families under Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, Government of Odisha.
42
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PMAY-G Housing Beneficiaries
Secure, permanent housing facilitated for the most vulnerable PwDs under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin scheme.
Advocacy Journey

Key Milestones &
Systemic Wins — 2023–24

SAMARTH has consistently engaged at the highest administrative levels — from the Governor of Odisha to district administration, railway authorities, and the State Advisory Board — to advocate for systemic policy improvements for Persons with Disabilities.

"SAMARTH reaffirms its dedication to building a society where every individual, regardless of ability, is embraced and empowered to thrive — and their rights are not charity, but a constitutional guarantee."
— Santosh Kumar Moharana, Secretary, SAMARTH
🏆Best Community-Based Organization for PwDs — Gajapati District 2023
🌟4 SAMARTH members — Best Self-Employed PwD Award 2023
🗳️Core Team members appointed to District & Assembly Election Committees 2024
🏛️Gajapati Representative nominated to State Advisory Board on Disability
April 2023
Meeting with the Hon'ble Governor of Odisha
SAMARTH Core Team presented a comprehensive memorandum on disability rights and welfare to the Governor at Rajbhavan, Bhubaneswar — advocating for policy reform statewide.
May 2023
Week-Long Disability Rights Camp — 317 Grievances
Organized with the District Legal Service Authority Gajapati — 317 grievances registered and addressed across blocks and urban local bodies in a 7-day intensive campaign.
December 2023
District Awards — International Day of PwDs
SAMARTH recognized as Best Community-Based Organization. Four members honored for excellence as self-employed PwDs — validation of 21 years of grassroots work.
January 2024
Electoral Accessibility Advocacy — General Election 2024
Formal letters submitted to the Chief Election Commissioner of India, State Election Commissioner, and all Block Development Officers demanding fully accessible polling infrastructure.
February 2024
State Advisory Board Representation — Lokseva Bhavan
SAMARTH submitted memorandum at the State Advisory Board on Disability, chaired by Honourable Minister Shri Ashok Chandra Panda at Lokseva Bhavan, Bhubaneswar.
Our Partnerships

Supported by Trusted Partners

SAMARTH's impact is made possible through the steadfast support of government departments, civil society, and dedicated funding partners.

🌍Sightsavers India
Primary Funding Partner
🏛️Centre for Community Development
Founding & Technical Support
🏥SSEPD — Gajapati
Social Security Department
⚖️District Legal Services Authority
Legal Aid & Grievance Redressal
👁️Odisha Blind Foundation
State Network Partner
Odisha Vikalanga Mancha
Disability Advocacy Network
🌾Odisha Livelihood Mission
Livelihood & Financial Inclusion
🏛️District Administration, Gajapati
Government Convergence Partner

Together, We Build a World
That Includes Everyone

Join SAMARTH's mission to empower Persons with Disabilities across Gajapati District. Your support helps reach more communities, build stronger institutions, and transform more lives.