Calling for Friends of EnAble India!!

Hey, how about starting ‘Friends of Enable India’ officially! There are so many of you priceless guys out there from our alumni, well-wishers, and a string of enthusiasts who have worked with us. Let’s get blogged down and connect!

My experiences in Enable India .3

I am Sunil G. Nair coming from Bhilai,Chattisgarh. I have done MBA(Marketing), MPM(HR) in 1997. After loosing the vision, I was upset thinking about the future. I did not give up and started my business which continued for 9 years. It was surprising development when I came to know about the job opening in the industry at Bangalore. I still remember that day in my life.

I came to the garden city with lot of hopes and unfulfilled dreams. This institute gave me a platform to redevelop and enlighten myself. The first step which changed me when I COMPLETED THE MOBILITY TRAINING PROGRAM. It was unbelievable when I took up the white cane to walk on the roads. The next achievement when I started moving fingers on the computer keyboard. The whole training program till this day has been quite exciting and challenging. Today I feel proud to believe and speak on many basic concepts to my friends. The most interesting among them is sending Emails to all my near and dear ones. To share my experiences I am grateful to Enable India for providing support and confidence at all times. To add up when the training program is on the concluding days I got selected at Infosys BPO as HR executive.

To conclude the last moments of the course I am taking those beautiful memories from this place which gave me a new life.

 - Sunil G. Nair ( a blind computer Trainee, Enable India Feb.-Sep. 2007 batch, selected in Infosys,BPO

My experiences in Enable India.2

I Chandrakala L Palekar would like to tell about the good time I had at Enable India. I have spent 7 months at Enable India i.e. from 02/01/2007 to 08/31/2007. When I came to Enable India I had very little knowledge about computers but now I am fully confident about working in computers. In my school and college I would always wonder how I would work on computer. I had the theory knowledge but very little practical. But now I can work very efficiently in computers as anybody else does.

I became independent in many aspects like computers. I developed a mind set that can compete with others. It has boosted my confidence, as one thing which always used to worry me was my computer skills before I came to Enable India but now that problem has been solved.

At Enable India you are not just taught computer only but many things along with it. You’re taught how to work in a team, how to interact in a group, positive attitude, etc. the ways which are used are very good. You’re given real life examples, used tactile diagrams, etc.

At Enable India your disability is looked like your different ability. Your problems are taught to be your new ways to do different things. At Enable India I felt very comfortable with everybody. In my school and college I was looked different from others which didn’t matter me much but at Enable India I was as anybody else I was not that different person. Everywhere we go we get sympathy but at Enable India I got empathy. I was not told that my problem is a big thing which is mostly done but I was taught that every problem has a solution, it is just you have to find it.

At Enable India you’re not prepared for anything particularly but your main focus is how to enable for life. The name is appropriate for this organization and it has fulfilled the worth of its name.

At Enable India I was taught to be confident how to tackle different situations. The activities at Enable India have improved our overall personality. I really appreciate the efforts the people put at Enable India. At any moment I didn’t think that I am at a different place or doing a great thing because everything was so simplified to us that we didn’t feel the burden at all.

The time I spent at Enable India was so good that I didn’t know when 7 months passed by.

I made new friends and my network has also widened to a large extent and I got many people of my nature i.e. I got friends who understand my problems.

To conclude the 7 months I spent at Enable India has benefited me in a very large extent. I thank Enable India for all that it has done for me. It is too difficult to tell everything what Enable India means to me in just words as it has given a different meaning to my life. I would tell to Enable India to continue its good work in the same way and may it progress more and more.

– Chandrakala L. Palekar (a Low Vision Computer trainee from Enable India Feb-Sept. 2007 batch, now working in People Equity.  

My experiences at Enable India – 1

I Raghavendra aged 28 years finished computer training in Enable India. Sharing my experiences and real thoughts with you.I lost my vision in the age of 25 years in an incident, i.e., Leather ball (cricket ball) hit my eyes and the optic nerve got disconnected and I became totally blind. At that time I was studying B B M 2^nd year and was also working as Admin In charge cum customer support Executive in a Limited Transport company. I worked in that company for 10.8 months and resigned from the job in the year June 2006 due to my personal problems and also I have decided to be independent in life.

Though, I have sent several emails and worked in computers when I was working and was sighted, the letter now I am writing is an impressive letter for me. After losing the vision I thought working in computers or sending emails is no more in my life. But after coming to Enable India once again I joined in the list of web browsers. I wish to inform you that now independently I can send the mails and work in the computers.Apart from computer skills, I learnt more things after coming here like Braille, Mobility, and Employment Opportunities for the VI, Assistive tools for VI, General awareness, Good communication skill, Group discussions etc.

In Enable India I got the opportunity to make best friends and good networking who may be helpful in the future.I would like to say that one important change made in my life after joining Enable India. Before when I was working and studying, for each and everything I used to be dependent on others for Example:- to go outside, to take food, or in my daily routine work. Because even if I am  confident of doing  work or going outside, parent’s protection (love and affection) & friend’s support made me not to think about independent.

One incident made be to think that I should also be independent in life.   When I was working I got an opportunity to go to Bombay in the flight for attending one seminar regarding customer support job but my parents did not allow me to go alone though my management was taking care of myself,  This incident turned my life. I have decided to learn Mobility and computer skills. With the help of my Aunt I got the address of Enable India and came here.

Till I join Enable India, I don’t know the meaning of Cane but here they trained me in such a way that now I can go anywhere in India without anybody’s help.Coming to computer training part, I would like to indicate that the instructors are very friendly in nature and are putting their full efforts to make us understand by showing tactile diagrams and simple examples that are connected to our daily life. Even if we ask 10 times they are ready to explain.

Enable India provided Hostel facility for us. Before joining Enable India our parents were not allowing us to switch on the fan because there will be plug point. But when we joined the hostel and once I got used to that I feel more convenient and confident that I can do my work on my own   without taking anybody’s help. Now I am enjoying my life since I got released from protection life. Only I am losing my parent’s love and affection.  Rest of the thing is taken care of by our Enable India staff.

 I would like to tell one thing that In Enable India, right from our Managing Trustee to the Front office person, all are very friendly in nature, which help us to express any thing or clear the doubts. As a student I like to be naughty in nature & here my Managing Trustee likes very much when we are very naughty. This attitude helps us to feel that we are in our home.I am thankful  to you all  for giving me an opportunity to express my real feelings that I had in my heart and the changes made in my life from February 2007 i.e., after joining Enable India.

–  Raghavendra, blind computer trainee, Enable India batch of Feb – Sep 2007. Now working in people equity

All is well at Enable India

One of the biggest worries that a founder has for their organization is –> what is the culture in their organization? Is it driven by the right values? Will the organization sustain itself without the founder? Is it built only on the will of a couple of people or will it stand the test of time?
I have always hoped that all of us at Enable India work only for one purpose : FOR THE CLIENTS WHO ARE DISABLED. Everything and anything done by all of us has to be with that goal in mind. So for example, if I make a mistake, I expect to be given feedback for the benefit of our clients. If there is something which may be detrimental for our clients, it has to be pointed out and corrected. So I have consciously tried to create the culture by walking that talk. i.e you do as you say.. And from all indications, I was satisfied that we were on the right track. Recently, something helped reinforce this point.

A few months back we held our teachers training program for computer instructors for the blind. In this 21 day program, we build the capacity of computer trainers to teach computers to the blind. Since this is a very specialized field, we train them on the special teaching techniques, resource aids, build their attitude towards visually impaired and build their own overall skills. This was the fourth batch and was the first time that we got sponsorship thanks to IBM.

We conduct a rigorous evaluation to ensure that the right teachers come to the course. We only want those people who will be able to learn and benefit from the course to come. The wrong set of teachers will lead to wastage of other people’s time. It so happened that on DAY 1 of the training, we got around 18 teachers from around India but two teachers did not fit the requirements. We were really surprised because if they passed our evaluation they should be upto the mark. Later in the day , Vidya (who was conducting the program) along with me was trying to understand if there were some flaws in the evaluation or issues with correction of the evaluation etc.

That night, I received a phone call from Sivakumar (who is now our main computer trainer for the blind. He is a low vision person and is a product of the same computer course from the 2004 batch ). The call came at almost 10:30 pm and I was surprised. He had just returned from work and had his dinner (I think). He asks me “Ma’am, I heard that there are two teachers who are not upto the mark in the TTC (teachers training course). How did this happen? DID WE LOWER OUR STANDARD BECAUSE WE GOT FUNDING? I hope that is not the case!”

I was absolutely overjoyed. I was being questioned on whether we were doing the right thing for our clients? I replied that his fears were misplaced and we ourselves were trying to understand what had gone wrong. We then went on discuss the next steps and further actions we needed to do to ensure the course was on track as per our own high standards of quality! At 11:30 pm, we finished the call. I was exhausted but slept soundly knowing that “ALL IS WELL AT ENABLE INDIA”

——-  Shanti Raghavan, Founder and Managing Trustee, Enable India

Feedback on Enable India – 8, 9

Bhavya from Picorp wrote these words when asked to give feedback about Enable
India. Picorp has supported us and we are very grateful for their support!! – Shanti Raghavan, Founder and Managing Trustee, Enable India | Ashoka Fellow

“Inspite of all the uncertainties of an upcoming organization – be it the infrastructure problems or the need for trained staff or the response of the disabled to the training, what convinced up here at picorp is the positivism that inspires Enable India that is visible in Shanthi’s hopeful mirth filled with childlike enthusiasm to work and work more facing all the odds to bring about that unknown confidence in the minds of the disabled.Enable
India is a silent revolution that dreams of an all inclusive society where nothing is excluded. This is what we believe shall empower not only the disabled, but also our nation.” 

I asked one of our long standing volunteers Anitha Murthy, who is also now a member of the board to pen her thoughts. She has been with us for a very long time and we count on her for anything and everything! Here are her words which mean a lot to us: – Shanti

 EnAble
India is, to me, a very unique NGO. Unique because its vision is path-breaking and brings a completely new perspective to the current NGO scenario. EnAble
India is also vibrant and enterpreneurial in nature. It combines all the flair of a professional startup to the social responsibilities of an NGO, and that in itself, is highly commendable. Its uncompromising stand on quality, and its constant endeavour to go for a win-win, despite all odds (and the odds are quite considerable), is what makes it so special. No task is too little, no problem insurmountable. It is this upbeat and positive attitude that makes EnAble India achieve its objectives with such admirable success.

Hats off to the team, and to Shanti for their untiring efforts in being true EnAblers!

Feedback on Enable India – 6, 7

Note from Melita George below (She has been our main contact point at IBM  for employment at IBM. ) It has been a pleasure working with IBM due to its great culture and also because of amazing people like Melita who are passionate about what they do – Shanti Raghavan, Founder and Managing Trustee, Enable India | Ashoka Fellow”

When I look back at all the great work that EnAble India has done in partnering with IBM India till date… I see days which were full of 100% dedication, 100% hard work, and above all, the passion to make a difference!  IBM continues its efforts to be a truly inclusive employer for all talent and partnering with EnAble India was a sure step forward towards the goal…The excitement level of the team is contagious and every project we work on has the highest level of quality and professionalism .. .
Congrats to Shanti and her team at EnAble India and  I am excited about what the future holds for us together…. Continue to dream BIG.. !”
- Regards, Melita George, India Program Lead – PwD & FWO [Diversity] , IBM India Pvt Ltd
———————————————–

We have had a very fruitful partnership with Cafe Coffee Day and I asked Shyamala Deshpande of Cafe Coffee Day to pen her thoughts… Her open mindedness and support has meant a lot to us. Here are her observations: -  Shanti

“Enable India partnered with us in a unique pilot programme where we integrated the hearing impaired candidates in a customer facing role in F and B retail. A specially designed training and counseling programme devised jointly with Enable India ensured we had a  hitherto uncharted  employee segment tapped to release a pool of brewmasters with a  professional attitude and commitment to quality ! Today these  silent brewmasters ensure every single customer gets the perfect cuppa coffee .

Enable India opened our eyes to an entirely different world of silent performers. It created a  revolution of sorts in the way we looked at people capabilities and  inspired our entire team to perform and forget our personal bickerings and  problems !All we could hear and admire in the hearing impaired brewmasters programme  was their ABILITY TO PERFORM Today we have created a unique self sustaining business model where corporate social responsibility and business considerations are both given their due and we are delighted with our association with the indefatigable  Shanti Raghavan and her team!”

- Shyamala Deshpande, Sr General Manager, HR and Training, Cafe Coffee Day

Feedback on Enable India – 5

This note is from Dinesh Kaushal, totally blind, programmer by profession. He has known Enable India for a long time in a personal capacity (when he was working on a low cost screen reader for the blind – SAFA under NAB-Delhi’s guidance and with me helping in project managing this for some time). He is also an interested observer and a volunteer.for Enable India - Shanti Raghavan, Founder and Managing Trustee, Enable India | Ashoka Fellow

From the time I know you and your organization (personally and or from your work), every time I have seen absolute love and passion put in to each action. I am not interested in much comparison with other organizations, but still do not fail to notice outstanding work EnableIndia is doing. and why EnableIndia is able to do outstanding work, is the love for each human being without discrimination. I have personally observed your interaction with people, and amazingly, “everyone is equal” is visible in your actions, and there is no need for elaborate speeches on that.

All of us have desire to contribute to the society in one or the other way. Some are able to do it with their actions, and yet others have to limit themselves by only helping someone who is willing and able to do it with their actions. If I get chance to contribute by my action or with financial resources, I would prefer to do it with an organization which is efficient, has passion, and top of all, treats each human being with equality and love. And I have seen all the above and others in your organization.

with good wishes.

Dinesh Kaushal,

Programmer, Code Factory

Enable India Feedback – 4

Here is a very sweet note from Vinod Prakash about us (Vinod is visually impaired, was a computer trainee at Enable India, working currently in HR dept of Aditi technologies)

I am Vinod Prakash & my friend calls me Vinu, Vini, Vinod etc. I belong to lower middle-class agriculture family, which reside in village called Tharikatte, Which comes in Bhadravathi taluk of Shivamogga district. There were no basic infrastructure facilities in my village. My father is an agriculturist-small Businessman & my mother is a housewife. I have 2 elder sisters & 1 elder brother. When I was doing my PUC, I got vision problem, which changed my course of education& life. Though I wanted to do some professional courses, lack of awareness about visual impairment, made me to change my course . I completed my M A in History & Archaeology with P G Diploma in Archaeology & museology, in which I got 1st rank. Since I was struggling a lot to read & write, I got depressed.At that time I met one guy called Mallikarjun through whom I came to know about visually challenged World & also came to know that even visually challenged people can work on a computer through which I can read & write. I thought to learn computer to fulfill my dream to become a Lecturer since I found that computer is the only means through which I can read & write. He suggested me to join Enable India & I came to
Bangalore & joined Enable India. 

Joining Enable India has completely changed my way of thinking & my way of life. In Enable India, I learnt not only Computer but also the professionalism that the corporate world demand & most importantly the true humanism. I learnt Computer, which has well guided, well planned  curriculum & time schedule. The instructors were awesome. There are not only brilliant teachers but also nice human beings & of course good friends. 

I don’t think that Enable India needs any testimony or some words by any people to prove its achievement. It’s actions itself speaks louder than my words.What I can tell about Shanti mam?, She is just like my mom & she is my true inspiration. The training that I have got in Enable India has opened new possibilities in corporate World for me, which I had never thought. Because, it was my belief that lectureship is the only dignified job that I should opt, but, training of Enable India has made me to think about different possibilities that visually challenged people have in corporate World. 

 Finally at the crucial stage of placement, they put me on project, which helped me lot, where I learnt many basic things like dedication to work, time management & simple thing like, how to write status report etc. Here I came to know about Human resource profession, which I thought , a good option to choose. Hence, I did small research on H R career & got valuable guidance & suggestions from my instructors & Shanti mam, which led me to Aditi Technologies, where I am working as a H R trainee from last 1 year. 

Even after the placement we are getting much needed work place solutions, whenever we need & it is most important for us to do our work efficiently & prove our ability to become successful professionals with career growth profile. 

Three characters have played major role in the construction of my personal & professional life, which are unforgettable. One is my mother, who taught me about values of life. 2nd one is Rashtriya swayam sevak Sangh, which gave me social conscious, national perspective, universal human values & finally, the Enable India, which really Enabled me to discharge my all duties as a son, brother, friend & as a human. to whom I am always been grateful. What I could say other than Enable India is just GREAT. There are several organizations, which have false claims but Enable India is the only one organization, which is working for disabled without caring for fame. 

Note: Vinod’s note is heartfelt, hence I have kept the last line as well. However, we all know that there are many organizations working hard for the disabled who are passionate and committed. and it would be unfair to believe we are the only ones committed to the disabled. – Shanti Raghavan, Founder and Managing Trustee, Enable India | Ashoka fellow

Feedback on Enable India – 3

Rufina Fernandes, CEO of NASSCOM foundation gave the following feedback about Enable India

I was fortunate to have met with Shanti last year, although we have tried to get in touch even in my previous avatar as Head of CSR in an IT company.  Shanti is a brilliant example of what I call the “Power of One” – which is the contribution starting with one individual, multiplying through the sharing of passion, enthusiasm and spirit of the cause to reach out to many many others who need the support…. Like what Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi were able to achieve in their life times. I sincerely hope that Enable India under the leadership of Shanti is able to reach greater heights in helping the people with disabilities understand and achieve their true potential.   

Shanti has inspired and motivated me to continue to focus on the cause of disability which we are doing through NASSCOM Foundation in our own little way.  We wish Enable India all the very best in everything they do and plan in the future.  We will support them always”