Mumbai/Delhi, November 28, 2020: Kaun Banega Crorepati 12 has begun with its special Karamveer episodes that bring 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 and 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 the 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 organisation was started in 2008 with the opening of their first training centre 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 disabilities). 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 centres 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 utilised, 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.
People 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:
- Supporting Sarthak Global Resource Center for Persons with disabilities
- Supporting Sarthak for opening new centres in Patna, Ranchi, Thiruvananthapuram, Ahmedabad, Shimla, Guwahati, Raipur, Dehradun, Jammu and Banaras
- Since all the existing centres of Sarthak are on rent, so people can donate land, or assets to Sarthak for the opening centre in their location
4. People can donate for ensuring the training and placement of Persons with Disability by contributing INR 16500.