20/10/2024
A special Award Function and Felicitation Program
Samdong, 19th October 2024: Today, a special Award Function and Felicitation Program was successfully conducted by Kalpataru Pratisthan with the invaluable support of Suresh K. Lama, social activist and Vice Chairman of Citizens Urban Cooperative Bank Limited, Majitar Rangpo. The event was graced by KVJ Dr. Sumithra Prasad, a life skill counselor, vocational trainer, and advocacy activist with over three decades of experience in the development sector. Dr. Prasad, a Special Mother of a 33-year-old son from Dorai Foundation in Chennai, participated as the special resource person for the event.
The event was attended by various dignitaries, including the Zilla Adhyaksha from Gangtok District, well wishers, and the Kalpataru Pratisthan family. Distinguished guests included Om Prakash Sapkota, Tek Bahadur Chettri, Nidup Lepcha, Dawa Madam, Kushal Narayan Khatiwada, Dol Nath Khanal, Dadi Ram Nepal, Thakur Prasad Sharma, Ganga Prasad Bhattarai, Dr. Indu Nepal, Bhawani Khanal, Rikesh Pradhan, Narendra Adhikari, Arpana Sharma, Prerna Sharma, and parents of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) including Ghana Devi Sharma, Krishna Khatiwada, and Deepa Sharma.
The program began with the General Secretary of Kalpataru Pratisthan, Ganga Prasad Bhattarai, providing an introduction and details about the NGOтАЩs activities. This was followed by Dr. Sumithra Prasad introducing Dorai Foundation and sharing her experiences in working with PwDs across India. Dr. Indu Nepal gave an update on the current activities of Kalpataru Pratisthan, and O.P. Sapkota President of Kalpataru Pratisthan, spoke about the financial challenges and the ground realities faced by the NGO.
During the program, Dr. Prasad shared several future plans for Kalpataru Pratisthan, which included:
Establishing an ADLS classroom, kitchen (home science room), and counseling center
Creating a Toy Library and launching an Income Generation Program (IGP) for mothers
Providing Caregiver Training to mothers
Introducing Activity-Based Learning for PwDs, such as making and selling salads, engaging in horticulture, and participating in art, craft, and food preparation activities.
As part of the ceremony, Dr. Sumithra Prasad felicitated five parents of PwDs with table mats made by the SAI Centre and presented the Exemplar Award and a citation certificate to Om Prakash Sapkota, the President of Kalpataru Pratisthan. Additionally, she honored Dr. Indu Nepal with a do-salla on behalf of Dorai Foundation.
The event concluded with an interactive session with the PwD parents, followed by a vote of thanks from Ganga Prasad Bhattarai, General Secretary of Kalpataru Pratisthan.
This inspiring event reflects the shared commitment to improving the lives of persons with disabilities and their families.
