Cheshire Homes Chandigarh by Cj Singh

Cheshire Homes Chandigarh . India

Annual Report 2011-12

Lord Leonard Cheshire

Cheshire Homes Chandigarh . India

Annual Report 2011-12

Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it Mahatma Gandhi

“Persons with disabilities are at the heart of everything we do.” –The Leonard Cheshire Disability Global Alliance Constitution

Cheshire Home was founded in Cheshire, UK, in order to serve young, physically disabled adults, and empower them to lead independent, meaningful lives. We are connected, by philosophy, to the international organization established in England by Lord Leonard Cheshire, a World War II R.A.F. pilot who opened his doors to disabled veterans. Since 1948, hundreds of Cheshire Homes have been established worldwide, each operating independently, all serving people coping with different types of disabilities. In India the first Cheshire Home was established in Mumbai in 1955, and today there are 24 Homes across the country, including one in Chandigarh.

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The Cheshire Home in Chandigarh was established on 5 November 2002 with the inspiration and guidance of Lt.Gen.J.F.R.Jacob (Retd.), the then Governor of Punjab and Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh, in Sector 15. Later Cheshire Homes Chandigarh was shifted to its present address in Sector 21, Chandigarh.

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Cheshire Homes Chandigarh . India

or the last over nine years, Cheshire Homes Chandigarh has served residents in the Home as well as linked itself to society through outreach programmes under the continued leadership of Maj.Gen. A.S. Kahlon. Presently there are 19 residents. For the residents, Cheshire Homes Chandigarh provides lodging and boarding. Special arrangements in association with various voluntary bodies and like-minded individuals, have been made for imparting specialised education, skills training and job placements, to make them self-reliant. Today, 17 out of the 19 inmates are gainfully employed and are able to support themselves. Cheshire Homes has also cared for terminally ill persons over the years. Through an 'outreach' programmes nearly 700 physically challenged persons have been identified, who are from economically poor background and live with their families in the city, for whom Cheshire Homes Chandigarh provides necessary assistance as and when required.

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Activities Highlights 2011-12 May 2011 Cheshire Homes, Chandigarh, was registered as a Society under the Societies (Registration Act (XXI of 1860.) on 18.5.2011.

July 2011 In July 2011, Maj.Gen. I.J.S. Dhillon wished to be relieved as Chairman owing to other onerous responsibilities which he had been obliged to take on. His resignation was accepted and Mr Gurdip Singh Deep was asked to take up the responsibility as the Acting Chairman of Cheshire Homes Chandigarh, and carry forward the task.

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September 2011 As a part of the outreach programme, Cheshire Homes collaborated with the Rotary Club of Chandigarh midtown donated 2 tricycles, 1 wheelchair, and one western-style toilet fixture to another one, at a function held at President Hotel on 30 September2011.

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December 2011 Cheshire Homes observed the 'World Disabled Day' on 5th December 2011. Mr K.K. Sharma, Adviser to the Administrator, was the chief guest. On this occasion wheelchairs, tricycles, sewing machines and a bicycle were gifted to 15 physically challenged persons while two persons were issued the Railway Passes.

Mr. Gurdip S Deep, Chairman, Cheshire Homes Chandigarh addressing the audience. (above) A view of the audience and some of the beneficiaries (right)

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Mr. K.K. Sharma, Advisor to the Administrator UT Chandigarh, commended the efforts of Cheshire Homes Chandigarh for empowering the physically challenged persons and making them self-reliant. He called upon all sections of the civil society, government and other non-government organizations to work with persons with disabilities to achieve inclusive, sustainable, and equitable

Beneficiaries with sewing machines (left) and tricycles (below)

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March 2012 Lt.Gen. (Retd.) Ian Cardozo, Chairman, Rehabilitation Council of India was requested and agreed to be Patron of Cheshire Homes, Chandigarh. He visited and interacted with the residents and members of Cheshire Homes, Chandigarh, on 8th March 2012. He met with the Governing Council members at Cheshire Homes and complimented the team for the good work being done. Later Mr. T.S. Anand hosted a dinner for the Lt Gen Cardozo and members of the Governing Council.

March 2012 One of the physically challenged persons, Sanjeev, who is supported by Cheshire Homes Chandigarh, won the All India gold medal in badminton and a bronze medal internationally in France. Mukesh and his wife (also disabled) won gold medals in the Bangkok Games.

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March 2012 Multi-Medical Camps

Chief Guest Mr. Raj Bahadur, Director Principal, Govt Medical College and Hospital, interacting with the patients (left) Some of registrants waiting for their turn.

Multi-Medical Camps were held on 18 March 2012 from 10 am to 2.30 pm. Cheshire Homes reached out to the physically challenged in the city as a part of its community outreach programme, and organised a Blood Donation Camp, a General Medical Check up Camp, and a Disability Assessment Camp. A team of doctors from General Medical College & Hospitals, Sector 32, Chandigarh organised by Rotary Club of Chandigarh Midtown, conducted the medical checkup of the inmates and other physically challenged persons who had come from all over the city. CHESHIRE HOMES CHANDIGARH . ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12 . 11

March 2012 Multi-Medical Camps

Assessment of physically disability was also done and credentials were checked for issuance of Railway passes to physically disabled persons. (above) A blood donation camp was also organised on the occasion with the help of Inner Wheel Club of Chandigarh Midtown which provided refreshment also for the blood donors (left)

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March 2012 Multi-Medical Camps Dr Raj Bahadur also handed over an artificial limb donated by Rotary Club Chandigarh Midtown, and a bicycle donated by Maj Gen (retd) A.S. Kahlon, to the needy physically challenged persons. (below)

A group of doctors and volunteers who helped in organising these camps. Lunch was served to 250 persons who attended the camps.(below)

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Major Initiatives 2011-12 Laminated Identification Cards have been prepared for all inmates of Cheshire Homes to be used for free medical treatment and other services. PAN Card has been received, and tax exemption applied for u/s 12A. Facilities at Cheshire Home like Electrical, Plumbing, Painting, other repair works and proper boards etc. have been upgraded. Sofa sets, TV, Carrom Board and winter/summer clothes were arranged from members for improving the living conditions. A further proposal for overhaul of the building and provision of lifts is under discussions with Chandigarh Administration. Governing Body 2011-12 Maj Gen A.S. Kahlon Chairman Emeritus Gurdip S. Deep Chairman Chander Mohan Taluja Vice Chairman Maniki Deep General Secretary Mukesh Kumar Gupta, FCA Treasurer Members Mrs. Raminder Panag Dr. V.J.S. Vohra Brig Rajinder Singh Duggal Dr. Vibha Taluja Mrs. Neena Singh

A grant of Rs 20,000 to meet part staff expenses was received from the Social Welfare Dept., Chandigarh. Donations were received from members and we are highly grateful to them. Mr Karanjit Singh contributed Rs 25,000 for repair work in the room at the back of the building. Mrs. Kamlesh Jain has donated Rs 10,000. An application for Rs 15/- lakhs grant has been submitted to GOI under ADIP scheme foraids and appliances for the physically disabled in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, U.P., and Uttrakhand. This is being coordinated with Rotary District 3080, and Association of Physically Disabled Persons. All expenses on board and travel will be paid by Rotary Clubs. Lodging will be provided by Cheshire Homes Chandigarh. A fixed deposit of Rs 2 lakhs for Cheshire Homes Chandigarh has been made to earn better interest. During the period under review Cheshire Homes has increased its membership from 9 to 26.

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Governing Body 2012-14 Maj Gen A.S. Kahlon Chairman Emeritus Gurdip S. Deep Chairman Raminder Kaur Panag Vice Chairman Maniki Deep General Secretary Mukesh Kumar Gupta, FCA Treasurer Members Neena Singh Dr. V.J.S. Vohra Charanjit Singh Keshav Wadhawan Shaju Peter

The new Governing Body for 2012-14 was elected at the first AGM of Cheshire Homes Chandigarh held on 20th May 2012.

Design: CorePR

Call us to join the mission. Cheshire Homes Chandigarh #341, Sector 21A Chandigarh 160022 India Tel: +91 172 2541364 cheshirehomes.chandigarh@gmail.com

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