Umang

It was on 3rd Dec 2005, World Disability Day, that a Group of parents & professionals met Mrs. Deepak Kalra, a parent, trained professional working in this field since 1986. They wanted to know and be part of her dream of an organization that would be open, transparent and have full community participation and total involvement of parents. It would work towards providing equal opportunities to not just their children but many more and work towards an inclusive Society. Thus, Umang was born.

The next weeks saw an endless effort towards beginning of Umang. It was a community movement, where each parent contributed whatever they could - some brought spare furniture and out-grown wheelchair, toys, books, utensils, fans, coolers, whatever they could spare themselves or from their friends. neighbors and relatives. The team of professionals pledged that they would work without salary for 3 months or till the institute could raise its funds. They not only set up their departments working from 8am to 11pm, but, even painted the walls and windows. Some youth from neighborhood came and fitted adaptation in toilets.

Mrs. Bina Kak, one of the trustees vacated her house and gave it free of rent. A number of schools came forward to give teaching aids or a blackboard or furniture, whatever they could spare. Within a month the organization opened its doors to the first batch of 80 students that increased to 150 in 3 months. Two neighbouring buildings were hired and services expanded. A number of established institutes doing similar work in Mumbai, Delhi, Calcutta, Chennai, also came forward to support in staff training, strengthening resources and most of all provide emotional strength.

In its third year itself, Umang changed roles and instead of seeking help from others, it started mentoring other organizations in Rajasthan, was invited on several committees of state and central government for policy making and implementation, received several awards and in fourth year of existence was made the "State Nodal Agency of Rajasthan" by National Trust, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, New Delhi.

The number of beneficiaries grew to over 250 and buildings were bursting at seams. A number of projects were in pipeline due to lack of space. In 2012, Government of Rajasthan gave 2000 Sq. mtr land on one of the main streets of Jaipur to make a barrier-free building that would house all the services. Presently, Umang is housed in this specially designed building, reaching out the largest number of persons with brain damage in Rajasthan through a gamut of services.