The Spastics Society of India

[
The Spastics Society of India]

The Spastics Society of India is India’s most noted non-profit and a Non-governmental organization (NGO), working for Neuro-Muscular and Developmental Disabilities. [Encyclopaedia of Social Work in India, by India Ministry of Welfare. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India), 1987. Page 197. ] [ [http://www.tatainternational.com/moresocialres.html Spastics Society, Bandra, Mumbai - Profile] Tata, www.tatainternational.com.] Started in 1972, to providing education and treatment services for the spastics (children suffering from cerebral palsy), [ [http://www.karmayog.com/ngos/spasticsociety.htm The Spastics Society of India] Profiles of Nonprofit organizations. www.karmayog.com. ] today it has broadened its scope to include programs on teacher training, vocational training of young adults with Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Mental Retardation, Multiple Disabilities and Learning Disabilities. It also works in the field of advocacy and awareness, and offering support for parents and other professionals, and has evolved into independent Spastic societies in 16 states in India. In 1999, it established the ‘National Resource Centre for Inclusion (NRCI), in Mumbai.

History

In 1966, after her daughter Malini, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Mithu Alur found no proper schools for children with disabilities, so in 1968, she trained as a teacher in the field of Special Education at the Institute of Education, University of London. Back home she wanted to open a school in Mumbai, and she contacted then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, who in turn asked to get in touch with actress, Nargis Dutt, who became the first patron of ‘The Spastics Society of India’ (SSI), which formally started on October 2, 1972 [ [http://www.nrcissi.org/aboutus/history.html History] www.nrcissi.org. ]

Later the first ever special school in India for children with cerebral palsy, “Centre for Special education” was set up at Colaba on October 2, 1973, providing education and treatment facilities under one roof, and it commenced with just three children — Malini (Mithu Alur’s daughter), Farhan and Imtiaz. Nargis Dutt, remained its lifelong patron, and after her death in 1981, her mantle was taken up by her husband, Sunil Dutt.

Today, SSI Mumbai, runs centres in Colaba, Dharavi, Bandra and Chembur, and SSI has spread its services in 16 states, and in cities like, Kolkata, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Allahabad, Dayalpur, Pune and Cochin. In 1987 the SSI received the National Award for the “Best Voluntary Agency” from the Government of India, amd later in 1989, Mithu Alur was herself awarded the Padma Shri. [ [http://www.change.godrej.com/2003/novdec/heroism.htm Touch of Herosim - Forming The Spastics Society Of India] Godrej, www.change.godrej.com.]

tate wise Spastics Societies in India

* Spastic Society of Eastern India, Kolkata [http://www.webhealthcentre.com/general/cp_india.asp]
* The Spastics Society of Karnataka (SSK), Bangalore [ [http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Infotech/Software/Spastics_Society_ties-up_with_PACER_Center_IBM_India/articleshow/2487620.cms Spastics Society ties-up with PACER Center, IBM India] The Economic Times, Oct 24, 2007.] [ [http://www.spasticssocietyofkarnataka.org/ The Spastics Society of Karnataka] Official website.]
* The Spastics Society of Northern India, New Delhi [http://www.ngosindia.com/a-z/tssni.htm]
* The Spastics Society of Sikkim [ [http://sikkim.nic.in/spastics/html/2006.htm MAJOR ACTIVITIES OF THE SPASTICS SOCIETY] Official website of Sikkim state.]
* The Spastics Society of Tamil Nadu (SPASTN), Chennai [ [http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/05/stories/2005020512090600.htm Spastics Society celebrates 24th anniversary] The Hindu, Feb 05, 2005.] [ [http://www.ngosindia.com/a-z/tssic.htm The Spastics Society of India, Chennai] www.ngosindia.com. ] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/264441.stm Before the match, Pakistani players visited the spastics society in Madras] BBC News, January 28, 1999.]

References

External links

* [http://www.nrcissi.org/ The National Resource Centre for Inclusion - The Spastics Society of India , Official website]
* [http://www.karmayog.com/ngos/spasticsociety.htm The Spastics Society of India Detailed Profile]