Objective: To help issue Disability Certificates, free bus passes and free rail passes to the differently abled persons of Gandeed Mandal, Ranga Reddy District by bring together Disabled Welfare Department of Government of Andhra Pradesh, Doctors from Government Hospitals, Mandal representatives, AP Road Transport and Indian Railways through the co-ordination of Cause an Effect Foundation.

It was a scorching day in Gandeed mandal – A dusty non-descript ‘town’ in Ranga Reddy District 110 kms away from Hyderabad. But it was not a normal day or just another day – as a 6 member team of Cause an Effect foundation were actively involved in organizing and conducting a Differently abled camp. A camp where the Disabled Welfare Department of AP, Medical professionals from Govt Hospitals and Mandal representatives were brought together and issues Disability certificates for the differently abled people of the mandal. This helped cut down what would otherwise been an arduous 6 month going from one government officer to other process, to just a few hours. This not only helped the differently abled people get their certificates which is fundamental right, but also helped in awareness and reaping some of the benefits that come with the certificate – a free bus pass. AP Road Transport

officials were also

brought in expressly for this purpose and were issues many bus passes. It would have been better if the Indian Railways officials were also present to rightfully issue free rail passes, but for reasons only understandable to them, they chose not to turn up.

Mr. Rahul Ganti, employee of intellisight, volunteer of Cause an Effect believes it is important for Corporates and citizens to work with the society to bring in fundamental changes in the society. He wowed to come back and this time bring more volunteers from his company. Laxmikanth, a student from BITS had a most humbling experience working with the ‘real’ India. He claims no other day of his winter holidays has this much impact on him. He is continuing the good work from his university. Whoever says that Corporates are only interested in the bottomline should have seen all these volunteers in action

helping alleviate the suffering of people who are really at the ‘bottom’ line.

This camp was the fruit of tireless efforts

of our Cause an Effect Foundation Project Co-ordinator Mr. Ramakrishna who was running from Collectorate

to Government Hospitals to Disabled Welfare board to APSRTC offices to get

this camp going. It took nearly 3 months of effort for this camp to be organised and all get all necessary clearances from the government bodies. But in the end, it was all worth it as 332 disability certificates and 330

free bus passes were issued. Of the estimated 15 thousand disabled people of RR dist, 2.2% was taken care of one day. Needless to say, 97% still

to go. Lets get working ‘for a few tears less’! NP