Our Profile

Our Profile — SAMARTH Gajapati
SAMARTH — Gajapati  /  Our Profile

Our
Profile

Est. 2007 · Gajapati, Odisha
OPD Federation · 3,015 Members
248 SHGs · 6 Block DPOs
Genesis

How SAMARTH
Came to Be

In 2004, a staff member at CCD suffered a severe spinal cord injury in an accident, resulting in paralysis despite significant efforts and resources invested in their recovery. This incident led CCD to confront the profound challenges faced by individuals with various disabilities who often lack access to even basic needs.

"Consequently, the MILON network was established in 2004 — to identify, connect, and support people with disabilities into mainstream services and resources."

In 2007, MILON evolved into SAMARTH and became a registered organization under the Societies Registration Act. Today, SAMARTH operates across 299 tribal and non-tribal villages within 89 gram panchayats, working to improve access and opportunities for persons with disabilities.

SAMARTH is an Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) — a federation of 3,015 individuals dedicated to helping members integrate into mainstream society and access government rights and entitlements. Since 2017, it has evolved into a full Vocational Training and Rehabilitation Center, offering physiotherapy and rehabilitation services for children with intellectual disabilities in Gajapati, in collaboration with CCD/SSEPD.

2004
MILON Network Founded

CCD establishes MILON to identify and connect persons with disabilities to mainstream services across Gajapati District.

2007
SAMARTH Registered

Formally constituted under the Societies Registration Act as an OPD federation. Block-level DPOs and SHGs begin formation across the district.

2017
Rehabilitation Center

Evolved into a full Vocational Training & Rehabilitation Center — physiotherapy, Braille education, and 12+ vocational skills programs now active.

Coverage at a Glance
299
Villages
89
Gram Panchayats
3,015+
Members
Gumma Kasinagar Gosani Nuagada Rayagada R.Udayagiri Mohona
Our Direction

Vision & Mission

🔭
Vision
Where We're Going

An inclusive society where persons with disabilities can enjoy full participation, protection of their rights, equal opportunities, and mainstreaming equally in all aspects of community development.

🌿
Mission
How We Get There

To create an inclusive society by fostering unity among PwDs, providing essential services and facilities, and ensuring equal opportunities so that PwDs can thrive and live dignified lives, free from discrimination.

Framework

7 Core
Objectives

SAMARTH's work is anchored in seven distinct objectives that together form a comprehensive ecosystem — spanning individual rights, economic empowerment, policy reform, and barrier-free infrastructure.

01
Capacitate and facilitate PwDs on their rights, entitlements, and skill development
Rights
02
Empower PwDs by fostering strong advocacy, lobbying efforts, and driving policy changes
Policy
03
Promote economic rehabilitation to foster self-reliance among PwDs
Economic
04
Promote and strengthen PwD institutions from the village level to the state level
Institution
05
Promote the full participation, inclusion, and mainstreaming of PwDs in all spheres
Inclusion
06
Establish connections with resource agencies from the grassroots to the national level
Network
07
Create a barrier-free environment ensuring PwDs have access to education, healthcare, and welfare
Access
What We Do

Major Initiatives

🏛️
Institutional Building
Promotion of SHGs and block-level DPOs as local anchors for change and representation
👑
Leadership Development
Training and mentoring PWD leaders to advocate and manage their own organizations
🤝
Government Coordination
Collaboration with government bodies and resource networks for service delivery
📣
Lobby & Advocacy
Systematic efforts to reform policies and enforce legal entitlements for PwDs
🌍
Inclusion & Recognition
Driving social inclusion and formal recognition of disabilities across communities
🔗
State & National Networking
Connecting SAMARTH with disability networks at state and national levels
📚
Awareness Programs
Orientation on SDGs, UNCRPD, RPD Act 2016, and social security schemes
👁️
Braille Education
Initiated Braille learning programs for visually impaired children across the district
248SHGs
Active Self-Help Groups

SAMARTH actively promotes Self-Help Groups to foster community support and economic empowerment. Each SHG is trained, oriented, and connected to government credit and welfare schemes.

Income Generation Programs
Dairy Development
Goat Farming
Chick Rearing
Grocery Shops
Vegetable Cultivation
Organic Farming
Tailoring
Tea Stalls
Mobile Repair
Millet Processing
Facilitating Access to Rights & Services
Comprehensive support across entitlements
  • ✓
    Obtaining medical certificates and disability documentation
  • ✓
    Pensions, housing schemes, and MGNREGS participation
  • ✓
    Advocacy for self-employment and higher education access
  • ✓
    Enforcement of reservation quotas in eligible institutions
  • ✓
    Bus and train concession passes for mobility
  • ✓
    Social & financial inclusion, gender equity
  • ✓
    Access to credit and government financial support
  • ✓
    Human rights protection and marriage incentives
🏢
Block-Level DPOs

6 Disabled Persons Organizations at block level provide a unified platform for advocacy and representation of persons with disabilities.

⚖️
RPD Act 2016

Systematic awareness drives ensuring all members understand their legal protections under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.

♿
Barrier-Free Environments

Advocacy for accessible public and private institutions — transport, buildings, schools, and healthcare facilities across Gajapati.