Bengaluru: Thousands of visually challenged are seeing hope in Dr P K Paul who has spent his time, energy, money and resources to showcase their talents through the Indian Disability League (IDL) at national and International arena. Paul has left no stone unturned to provide them succour and a sense of worth to the visually challenged.
The IDL has not only evoked stupendous Corporate Social Responsibility but reached out to more than 50,000 visually challenged through various programs. Among several accolades and awards showered upon him was the European University’s honorary doctorate in Social Work. When asked how people can help his mission, he gently smiles saying “When the heart leads, treasures open up.”
As Diwali lights (Hindu festival of lights) lit up homes and crackers brightened the skies, Paul shares his 13- year mission with the visually challenged with Adolf Washington, Special Correspondent of Matters India.
What prompted you take up the cause of the visually challenged? Any personal incident in your life that moved you?
The beginning must have been tough. Did you start-off alone? How have you seen IDL grown today?
The initial stages were very challenging, with no one to trust and no track record, it takes years to build and sustain. For a person like me from Events, Public Relations, Human Resources, Branding and a Celebrity Management background, to leave the world of glamour and serve the poorest of poor, to eat, drink, sleep and move among them was heartening. I now found my souls’ solace here in service to humanity. I am on the driver seat and have made compartments for those I wish to carry along in my mission.
Your Vision and Mission statement has many goals. They are impressive. How much of the goals have you reached?
We have helped 50,000 special people in Karnataka, set up 4 hostels and feed 80-100 people every day. We also set up a music school of the blind and the IDL blind band & IDL Gospel Band. We have created brand events CSR walkathon, Blackathon, IDL Blind Cricket League (BCL) T-10, People with disability jobs and portals like Bangalore give.com which have all become annual calendar events..
Your target includes distribution of 100,000 eye donation forms. How many have you managed to distribute and what has been the response?
Yes, I am targeting to receive hundred thousand pledges for eye donation and the response is already very encouraging. We have done over 500 music and public shows by the blind to raise awareness on this. People are touched with compassion when they see our children perform and their hearts are moved to bring light to the world of those in darkness.
You are also promoting ‘organ donation’. How much have you achieved in this regard so far?
In India there is still much stigma or superstition attached to eye-donation or organ donation in India. Also, there are cases of abuses even by certain NGOs and hospitals. What do you say?
Very true. Some religious groups are reluctant because of their beliefs but always there is a good side too. Some Hindus believe in the third eye of Lord Shiva which center on a common belief that if in this life you donate your eye, in next generation person you will be born blind. Some Muslims believe it is against Allah and the tenets of the Quran. Some people also believe that God has given us a body and we have to give it back as it is. Even some sections of Christians believe because the earthly body gets transformed to a heavenly body it is not good to go for eye donation. We have to bring-in some positive thinking.
You run hostels.
Yes, we do. We run 3 hostels for boys and 1 for girls. We are planning more hostels. Most of the inmates are from North Karnataka and some from other states in India. Most beneficiaries are from economically poor backgrounds and from rural area. You cannot nurture their dreams or equip them with life-skills if you do not provide them with the basic needs of food, shelter and clothing. Our hostels primarily cater to these needs. Among the many other activities are Computer Training, Braille language classes, Music, English speaking and communication classes, Yoga and even opportunities for academic education.
Your Mission is very large. What is your source of funding and other support?
I believed from the beginning, what the Father of our Nation Mahatma Gandhi always said ‘find purpose and the means will surely follow’. We have survived last 13 years with local and general funding from people who see our work and are moved by their heart to donate and partner with us.
How has the Karnataka government helped or recognized your work?
We are a non-profit NGO since 2003. While we don’t work to earn credentials and awards, we did receive state appreciation in 2006, the Bangalore Municipality’s Kempegowda award in 2012, Limca book of records recognized us in 2013, we were declared best NGO of the year in 2015 and a recognized UN designate. We also received the Karma Veer Chakra-2016 Award and over 300 public and private felicitations with citations for our work. Reputed multi-national companies have found our work genuine and have supported us through their Corporate Social Initiatives (CSR). Our public programs are sponsored and our artists are invited to perform at their important gatherings. I would be delighted if more and more companies bond with us in their CSR.
Have your initiatives provided employment for the blind?
The Lord has been extremely generous to us. Because of their skills and academic training and their talent, hundreds of the visually challenged have found employment in well-known companies. Many are also into self-employment. There is a job portal www.pwdjobs.com exclusively meant for people with disabilities.
What are the other needs of the Blind that IDL takes care of?
We look at every visually impaired person as a total human being in need of love and care just like any one with no disability. IDL is actively engaged in sponsoring cataract operation and eye-related treatments, overall medical health is taken care of and we also reach out especially to women who need assistance. IDL is a family. We live like brothers and sisters and create an ambience of mutual support and encouragement. We have our own Music band, an orchestra, a full-fledged cricket team, cultural events, happy outings together and sufficient exposure to the ‘visible’ world (smiles passionately emphasizing on the word visual).
You are so filled with zeal and hope, what next?
My biggest dream is to set up disabled-friendly, international or Olympic standard stadium for the visually challenged. We are in dire need of at least 15 to 20 acres in or around Bangalore. If Corporates and big businessmen generously come forward, we can bring this to fruition. This will be the first of its kind in the country. Every little contribution toward this project will never be little in the sight of God. I believe when the heart opens-up, treasures too will open. God who has begun the good work in us will bring it to completion.
[To partner with IDL, please contact PAUL—email idlfoundation@gmail.com. 9740288077/9342530290 website: www.idl.org]