Gurugram, December 11, 2023: Sarthak Educational Trust, an NGO committed to mainstreaming and empowering Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in India, has officially launched the “Sarthak Global Resource Centre” in Gurugram. The centre, inaugurated by Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri. Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday, December 9th, aims to address the persistent gaps in services, resources, and attitudes hindering the progress of PwDs.
The Sarthak Global Resource Centre, funded by contributors including Amazon Development India, HT Parekh Foundation, KUEHNE+Nagal Private Limited, Credit Suisse, Fidelity International, NIIF, Team Computers, Renew Power Pvt Ltd, NAAI, DEPwD, Tata Power, and MEPSC, serves as a hub for education and skilling of PwDs, playing a pivotal role in enhancing their lives.
PwDs constitute over 5% of the country’s population, and the centre aims to provide opportunities for them to work, earn self-respect, and learn skills for livelihood. The Sarthak Global Resource Center incorporates facilities such as Vision in Dark, the Ability Museum, Employment Portals, Training Wings, and a Rehab Center. It houses training and skilling departments to cater to any disability, creating a holistic ecosystem for innovation, empowerment, and collaboration.
Dr. Jitender Aggarwal, Founder & CEO, Sarthak Educational Trust shared, “Today is a momentous occasion for us all as we are opening the Sarthak Global Resource Center for the Persons with Disabilities. This temple of education and skilling will benefit all and will reach the farthest rural places of the country. In 2008, when we started, we did over 100 round table conferences in all the regions of the country and we created 100 job opportunities and empowered 70000 Persons with Disabilities (PwD’s). In 2014, we decided to take a more holistic approach to help with the complete life cycle of Divyangjan right from Early Intervention to Skilling to Job opportunity to retirement. Today we have 2000 corporate partners with global powerhouses like Amazon India, HT Parekh Foundation etc. The Global Resource Center for People with Disabilities (GRC) is a groundbreaking initiative that will stand as a beacon of hope for individuals with diverse abilities across the country. GRC has opened its doors in Gurugram, with the staunch support of the Haryana Government and our funding partners. This transformative space will emerge as a testament to the commitment of our nation towards building a more inclusive society.”
Mr. Abhinav Singh, VP of Customer Fulfilment, Amazon Transportation Services, Global Specialty Fulfilment, and Supply Chain at Amazon India, said, "The launch of the Global Resource Center marks a significant milestone in our commitment to empowering people with disabilities worldwide. This collaboration with Sarthak Education Trust will provide them with the skills, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive in today's digital economy. We are proud to play a part in creating a more inclusive and accessible world for all."
Sarthak Educational Trust, operational since 2008, has successfully reached out to 4% (0.8 million) of the population of Persons with Disabilities (PwD) in India in the last 15 years, training and placing over 38,000 PwDs. The Sarthak Global Resource Centre aims to build on this legacy, providing a centralized space for PwDs to thrive and contribute their talents to society.
