1. Begining of the Organisation

• Since, there were no facilities before 1999s in the State of Sikkim for providing artificial limbs, the PWD’s from Sikkim were taken to Jaipur, Kolkata and Delhi with generous financial support from the Social Justice Empowerment & welfare Department, Govt. of Sikkim. Sikkim Viklang Sahayata Samiti, which was formed in 1999 started making and fitting of artificial limbs from 2001 within the state with the support from Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayata Samiti, Jaipur.    

• From 15th May to 30th May 2002, SVSS organised a fifteen days disability camp with financial support from NHPC Teesta V, Sikkim and “ Bhagwan Viklang Sahayata Samiti” Jaipur, provided artificial limbs and other fitments for the camp.

• On 28th and 29th April 2006, two days “ Locomotive Disability Screening Camp” was organized in which Dr. L. Narendra Nath, Dr. Anuradha from Hyderabad and Mr. Mayank Divedi, a scientist from DRDO, Delhi, Dr. Pemba Tshering Bhutia (Orthoedic Surgeon of STNM Hospital, Gangtok) were present and conducted the screening.

• From 10th – 16th May 2006, a camp for fitting of light weight caliper- FRO (Floor Reaction Orthosis) for polio affected persons was organized. Total number of beneficiaries was 121, which was inaugurated by His Excellency the Governor of Sikkim, Shri. Rama Rao and Health Minister Mr. Hisey Lachungpa.

It was a great honor for SVSS, when their service for the Disabled was recognized by none other than Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (Bharat Ratna) thethen His Excellency,  President of India.

In the presence of Shri .V. Rama Rao, His Excellency Governor of Sikkim and Shri Pawan Chamling, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim, floor Reaction Orthosis (FRO) caliper fitment for polio affected person for all the North State was inaugurated on 27^th December 2006, with his interest, he interacted with the physically challenged persons & also shared his expertise on light weight devices. SVSS was identified and recognized as a Nodal Centre for FRO, for the North East States.

• From 17th-24th December 2007, artificial limbs and caliper fitting camps were organized regularly in collaboration with Bhagwan Viklang Sahayata Samiti, Jaipur, which was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister of HRDD Mr. G.M. Gurung (materials sponsored by Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, New Delhi).

• A team of 13 member of “Bharat Vikash Yatra” from North East States was present in Gangtok and after completing the 13 days tour of the state with the message of development they attended the concluding camp of SVSS. In this program the chief guest was the Hon’ble Governor His Excellency Mr. Sudarshan Agarwal.

• On december 2008, 30 orthopedic and cleft Lips/Palate patients were taken to Agra for surgery, expenses of journey was sponsored by the Marwari Sewa Samiti. Treatment was provided by Dr. R. S. Pareekh, Dr. K. P. Srivastava and Dr. Satya Saraswat of Agra. Fooding and lodging was sponsored by the Rotary Club of North Agra.

• On 7th March 2009, a screening camp of cleft lip and palate patient was held in STNM Hospital, Gangtok conducted by Dr. Saraswat of Agra and Dr. Pempa Tshering Bhutia in which seventy five patients were identified. From 29^th March 2009, cleft lip/palate persons were sent to Agra for surgery in different groups.

• From 3rd – 5th June 2010, a screening camp was organized by SVSS and conducted by Dr, Satya Saraswat, Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeon of Agra and Mr. Tarun Kumar Kulshrestha, Clinical Director of Prosthetics, and Orthotics, Delhi, at Singtam District Hospital.

• On July & August 2011, a Screening camp was organized by SVSS for Cleft Lip, Palate & burn cases and identified 56 cases in the four Districts.

• On 8th May 2012, a screening camp was held at Gymnasium Hall, Palzor Stadium for the patients of Cleft lip & palate, burn cases and for orthopedic persons. In the camp the Chief Guest was His Excellency, Governor of Sikkim Shri. Balmiki Prasad Singh who launched the Website of SVSS too.

• From 6th -14th December 2013, SVSS organized a free surgical camp at STNM. Hospital for Cleft Lip, Palate & Burn cases. The program was supported by Health Dept. Govt. of Sikkim. The surgery was conducted by SVSS.

• During the above camp total no. of patients were 51 and out of which 41 patients were Cleft Lip & palate, 9 patient was of burn case. The surgery was done by Dr. Satya Saraswat, Agra and Specialist Doctors of ENT & Surgical Dept. of STNM Hospital, Govt. of Sikkim.

• The camp was sponsored by Smile Train of India for which the financial support was given by Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim Shri Shriniwas Patil, Mayfair Groups of Hotels, State Bank of India and SISCO Bank, Gangtok.

• In this camp, 18 orthopedically challenged person were came from an NGO, called “ASTITWA”, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, who attended the or their screening camp and were accommodated by Sikkim Human’s Development Foundation Hostel, Chongey, and the provided by ttransportation help was provided by the State Legislative Assembly, Govt. of Sikkim. The camp was conducted by Doctors of North Bengal clinic, Siliguri.

• SVSS organized screening camps for patients requiring fitting of artificial limbs, corrective surgeries and vocational training. The camp was held from 9th January to 24th February 2015 in collaboration with the RBSK (Health Department) and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (HRD), Government of Sikkim in the four districts of Sikkim. In these camps, around 590 people were selected and around 19 orthopedic patients were treated in Singtam Hospital. The various disabilities screened in these camps are:

• SVSS organized eight days disability camp 2015 at Singtam Hospital from 8th to 15th March 2015 in which:
• 50 patients have been fitted with artificial limbs (Jaipur Foot).
• More than 50 patients have been selected for plastic surgery by the renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Satya Saraswat from Agra.
• 50 orthopedic patients had undergone surgeries.

From July to September 2015, thirty differently abled persons undertook training under the Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Programme (SEDP).

From 10 to 26 September, 2015, thirteen persons visited STREIFENEDER-COLLEGE PARK INDIA PVT.LTD, Gurgoan for the fitment of high technology Mayo Upper and Lower electric Limbs.

Names of the people are given below:-

1. Mrs.  Munna Tamang
2. Ms. Rupa Tamang
3. Mr. Mahendra Karkidoli
4. Binay Bagdas
5. MS. Srijana Sharma
6. Mr. Dinesh Sharma
7. Mrs. Benita Pandey
8. Mrs. Tshering Phuti Bhutia
9. Ms. Prabha Tamang
10. Puspa Devi Karkidoli
11. Rashmi Rai
12. Pasang Lamu Sherpa
13. Sangeet Bhujel

On 4^th December 2015: The World Disable Day was celebrated on 4^th December (a day after 3^rd December being the actual day) with the ‘foundation stone laying ceremony’ laid by Honourable Governor of Sikkim Shri Sriniwas Patil at MPRC, Reshep, Tokal Bermiok, South Sikkim.

From January to March 2016: Sponsored two girls Miss Shanti Ghimirey & Miss Ambika Chettri (differently abled girl) to undergo training at A.D. A. P. T,  Mumbai (Able and Disable All People Together) formally Spastics Society of India for three months training on Spreading Awareness on Inclusion and Inclusive Education.

From 20^th February 2016, Khada and Handicraft: Three months Tailoring Training for 30 differently abled students was initiated and sponsored by ADWIN, Calcutta. The training was inaugurated by Gangtok. Major Shri Shakti Singh and G.M.C.  and Commissioner Shri C.P. Dhakal. Khada and Handicraft made by differently abled people was kept for sale at M.G Marg, Gangtok for one month.

From 19^th to 25^th December 2016, a camp for Post Burn Surgery was organized at Central  Referral Hospital, Manipal.

Nature Study And Adventure Camp for 5 to 25 years

On 27^th February 2017, 19 patients were taken to Agra for Cleft Lip/Palate and Post Burn Surgeries, which was performed by Dr. Satya Saraswat at Saraswat Hospital, Agra. The team from Gangtok was escorted by Miss Draupadi Ghimiray, Ambika Chettri and Diki Sherpa.

International Day for Persons With Disability on 3^rd December 2018 was celebrated at Tashi Namgyal Academy Ground. The programme was sponsored by Social Justice Empowerment & Welfare Department, Sports Department, Government of Sikkim and organized by SIKKIM VIKLANG (DIVYANG) SAHAYATA SAMITI. Honourable Governor of Sikkim Shri Shriniwas Patil was the Chief Guest on that occasion and inaugurated the programme. His Honourable Governor of Sikkim Shri Shriniwas Patil distributed certificates to 6 people for their years of hard work in serving Persons With Disabilities. 

Children of Neil Tara Academy were felicitated in creating awareness generation and publicity about disability. Principal Mr. Navraj Tiwari motivated children of his school towards divyangjans.

Different kinds of performances have been performed by the students of various PWD academies and are given below:

1. Welcome Song by Jawaharlal Nehru Institute for the Visual Impaired (Namchi)   
2. Action song by Special Children of Speech and Hearing Impaired (Sichey)
3. Group Dance by Special Children of Intellectual Disabilities (Burtuk)
4. Group dance by Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
5. Sports Activities

(A) 100 m Race by Special Children of Speech and Hearing Impaired (Sichey)

(B) 100 m Race by Special School of Intellectual Disabilities (Burtuk)

(C) Musical Chair by SDSS

Names of the NGOs participated in the International Day For Persons with Disability 2017 are as follows:

1. SDSS(SIKKIM VIKLANG (DIVYANG) SAHAYATA SAMITI)
2. Special School(Hearing Impaired, Sichey)
3. Intellectual Disabilities(Burtuk)
4. Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (HRDD, Govt. of Sikkim)
5. Rashtriya Madhyam Vudyalaya (HRDD, Govt. of Sikkim)
6. Visual Impaired(Namchi)

The celebration concluded with grand lunch, which was enjoyed by all the people present in the programme. In the morning, breakfast was also distributed to all the students, teachers and volunteers who took part in the programme.

Sikkim Viklang Sayata Samiti received National Award on 3^rd December 2017 for the best institution in Sikkim, india working for Divyangjans. (Dr.) Mrs. Savitri Hamal received the National Award on behalf of SDSS from the Hon’ble President of India in New Delhi on the occasion of World Disability Day 2017.

Another screening camp was organized on 8^th December 2017 to find out more Cleft lips & Palate patients in order to provide them needed treatment. Programme conducted by Dr. Satya Saraswas (Plastic & Cosmetic surgeon) from Saraswat Hospital, Agra. 33 patients attended the camp and out of 33, 11 Cleft Palate & Lip patients were selected who will get treatment in Agra.

His honourable Governor of Sikkim Shri Shriniwas Patil visited the new construction site at Reshep (South Sikkim) on 28 December 2017.

This year SIKKIM VIKLANG (DIVYANG) SAHAYATA SAMITI sponsored one trainee Miss Sarosoti Ghimiray to undergo training in ADAPT. Last year SIKKIM VIKLANG (DIVYANG) SAHAYATA SAMITI sent two candidates Miss Shanti Ghimiray and Miss Ambika Chettri who had successfully completed their training and working in their native place with HRDD, Govt. of Sikkim.

ADAPT (formerly, the Spastics Society of India) set up by Dr. Mithu Alur has been conducting, in collaboration with the Women’s Council UK, a six month course entitled “Community Initiatives in Inclusion” for the Asia Pacific Region for over 16 years. This is a course for Master Trainers and Planners of inclusive community disability services in the Asia Pacific Region sponsored by the Women’s Council, U.K and ADAPT.

The course aims to prepare participants to be management personnel, able to run, plan, and to train others to run, community disability services, within an inclusive framework.

The course content includes modules on Disability, Policy, Inclusion and Community. The course is conducted in two phases. The first 14 weeks consists of taught sessions, practical work and field work in Mumbai, India and its environs. The last three months is the implementation phase in the participants’ own places of work.

250 participants from 19 Asian Countries like Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tonga and Vietnam have completed this course to date.

About 11 Cleft Palate & Lip patients were sent to Agra on 25^th March 2018 who was selected on the screening camp held on 8^th December 2017 to get further treatment. The patients were escorted by Mrs. Purnima Sharma and Shanti Ghimiray After successful operation, this group of 11 people returned to Sikkim on 3^rd April 2018. Details of the patients are as follows:

Sl.No	Name	Sex	Address	Diagnosis
1	Laden Tamang	3/F	Lingtam	Cleft Palate & Lip
2	Jasmilan Manger	4/F	Karjee West	Cleft Palate & Lip
3	Sujan Mangar	5/F	Karjee	Cleft Palate & Lip
4	Sengwana Limboo	5 Months/F	Mangan	Cleft Palate & Lip
5	Ritik Subba	20 Months/M	Kaluk West	Cleft Palate & Lip
6	Elina Subba	6/F	Rawangla	Cleft Palate & Lip
7	Pema Lhamu Bhutia	7/F	Lingtam	Cleft Palate & Lip
8	Pema Lhamu Lepcha	21/M	Gangtok	Cleft Palate & Lip
9	Sangita Gautam	10/F	Ranka	Cleft Palate & Lip
10	Nisha Gurung	7/F	Dentam West	Cleft Palate & Lip
11	Pempa Tamang			Cleft Palate & Lip

A  workshop on doll making was held from 28^th March 2018 to 30^th March 2018. The Workshop on doll making was organized by the North East Zone Cultural Centre, Dimapur, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India in collaboration with Cultural Affairs and Heritage Deppt. Organized by SIKKIM VIKLANG (DIVYANG) SAHAYATA SAMITI. The workshop was attended by 50 students from different parts of Sikkim.

In the year 2017-2018 around 22 people approached SIKKIM VIKLANG (DIVYANG) SAHAYATA SAMITI for artificial limbs. All these people received their required limbs in given timeframe. The names of these people are as follows:

	Name	Diagnosis	Address
1	Kamal Chetri	Lower Limb
2	Dawa Doma Bhutia	BK Foot (RT)	Kuput
3	Kung Dorjee Lepcha	BK (RT)	Ranipool
4	Pabitra Tamang	BK (RT) Prosthesis	Gangtok
5	Kamala Tamang	BK (RT) Prosthesis	Rongey Gumpa
6	Indra Chetri	BK (RT) Prosthesis	DPH Gangtok
7	Bhakta Bahadur Tamang	BK (RT) Prosthesis	Malli
8	Rabin Thapa	Crutches
9	Anchal Dorjee	RAFO
10	Nima Dorji Tamang	(RT) KAFO	Rangpoo
11	Ratna Rai	BK	Arithang
12	Tshering Thendup		N Sikkim
13	Bhakta Bahadur Tamang		Malli
14	Nitesh Biswakarma		Tadong
15	C. L. Sharma		Zinglla
16	Aush Chettri		Tadong
17	Passang lhamu
18	Tika ram Basnett
19	Afsana Subba
20	Karma Sherpa
21	Santosh Chettri
22	Lkpa Tshering sherpa

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The Sikkim Viklang Sahayata Samiti organized a short and sweet felicitation programme at Raj Bhawan on 2nd July 2018 The members and physically/mentally challenged children of the organization presented the Roll of Honour felicitation to the Hon’ble Governor Shri Sriniwas Patil for his support, advice and contribution towards SVSS made the activities of the organization run smoothly.

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CHEQUE DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMME: On 27th September 2018, Cheque Distribution Ceremony in collaboration with Cultural Affairs & Heritage Department, Government of Sikkim was organized at Zero Point Workshop-cum- Office, Gangtok. The Chief Guest was the Hon’ble Minister for Cultural Affairs & Heritage Shri G.M. Gurung (Patron SDSS). 30 trainees who underwent training in Doll making at Multipurpose Rehabilitation Centre,Reshep, Tokal Burmiok, South Sikkim, received the incentive in cheque from the hands of Chief Guest. This training programme was sponsored by Cultural Affairs & Heritage Department, Government of Sikkim and was attended by the officials from the Department, Persons with Disabilities, parents, media persons and the members of SDSS.

ASSESSMENT & MEASUREMENT CAMP FOR ARTIFICIAL LIMB FITTING: Sikkim Divyang Sahayata Samiti in collaboration with the Society for Human Welfare & Empowerment, Collage Park, Gurgoan, Haryana, organized 4 days long Assessment & Measurement Camp for the fitting of German Technology Mayo Prosthesis for 27 orthopedic patients from four districts of Sikkim and West Bengal in its premises at Zero Point, Gangtok from 27th -30th October 2018. The camp was conducted by Shri Tarun Kulshrestha, Prosthesis Engineer-cum- Director, Ms. Sania, Prosthesis Engineer from Society for Human Welfare & Empowerment, Collage Park, Gurgoan, Hariyana and Technicians and members of SDSS.

On the occasion of Valedictory function on 30th October Dr. Uttam Pradhan, Principal Director, Health Care, Human Services & Family Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim, was the Chief Guest and Shri Tarun Kulsherstha, Director of Society for Human Welfare & Empowerment,Gurgoan, Hariyana was the Guest of Honour.

A meeting was convened at Hotel Rosai near Tourism Office, Gangtok, on 26th November 2018. The meeting was chaired by Shri Ramesh Periwal, Vice-President of Sikkim Viklang Sahayata Samiti.

The meeting was called to discuss and finalize the date and venue for organizing Screening Camp regarding Cleft Lip/Palate and Post Burn surgery on International Day for PwDs and accordingly resolutions were passed during the meeting.

Members present at the meeting were:

1. Mrs. Purnima Sharma Working President
2. Mr. Ramesh Periwal Vice President SVSS
3. Ms. Droupadi Ghimirey Project Director, SVSS
4. Mr. B.K. Baraily General Secretary SVSS
5. Mr. Pintshok Tashi Bhutia Member, SVSS
6. Ms. Chongmit A. Saring member SVSS
7. Mrs. Chandra Kala Pradhan Member SVSS
8. Sangita Ghimirey Member
9.  Barsha Ghimirey member
10.  Dr. Indira Chettri NRHM Health Deptt.
11. Dr. M.B. Chettri Jt. Commissioner SJE & WD
12. Mr. lagyal Pintso Bhutia Prosthetic Engineer, SJE
13. Mr. Samir Pradhan SJE
14. Chandra Bhandari IE coordinator HRDD
15. Dr. Mingma Lhamu Sherpa CRH
16. Mr. Arpan Chettri CRH.

December 2018 SCREENING CAMP FOR CLEFT LIP/PALATE & POST BURN SURGERY & INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES:

On the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3′ December 2018 Sikkim Divyang Sahayata Samiti in collaboration with Central Referral Manipal organized 3 days Screening Camp for Clift/Lip Palate and Post Burn Patients at CRH Manipal from 1st to 3rd December 2018. The patients were screened by Dr. Satya Saraswat, Cosmetologist, Plastic Surgeon who had come a long way from Agra for this purpose.

Sikkim Divyang Sahayata Samiti felicitated Dr. Satya Saraswat on the occasion of International Day for Persons with Disabilities on 3’° December 2018, for his tireless effort and devotion for the benefit of patients of Sikkim by Hon,ble Minister Shri Arjun Kumar Ghatini health Care, Human Services & Family Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim.

SDSS sent a group of 18 patients for Cleft Lip/Palate and Post Burn surgery to Agra in two batches. 1st batch of 9 patients and their parents was escorted by Shri N.T. Lokshom, Member of SDSS and the team dearted for Agra on 16th Jan 2019 and returned on 25th January 2019. The 2nd batch of 9 patients along with their parents was escorted by Shri Rahul Srivastava, staff member, SDSS. This team departed fro Agra on 25th January 2019 and returned from Agra on 30th January 2019.

Ground leveling work and construction of protective wall at Multipurpose Rehabilitation Centre, Reshep, Tokal Bermiok, South Sikkim was started on 08 September 2019 and the work was finished on 22 Feb 2020.

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Egg Incubator was received from Sikkim State Council of Science & Technology, Government of Sikkim after completing 2 days (5^th and 6^th Nov 2019) training in Hatchery. From Sikkim Divyang Sahayata Samiti 3 persons took part in this training whose names are Mr. Khillan Tamang (Technician, SDSS), Miss Sujana Pradhan (Staff, SDSS) and Mrs. Sangita Ghimiray (Member, SDSS).

Sikkim Divyang Sahayata Samiti received a project regarding DeafBlind/MultipleDisability with VI/HI/MSI from Sense International India, Gujarat in the month of November 2019. The project was started from 17^th January 2020 and it is continuing in the districts of East and South Sikkim. Basically, the purpose of this project is to identify the children/people with DeafBlindness, MultiSensory Impairment and Multiple Disability including Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment from all the districts of Sikkim and to build up their capacity and capability through education and different kinds of training.

We started met various government officials of different government departments to collect data of Persons with Disabilities from such as Joint Commissioner Dr. M. B. Chettri (HRDD Department), Mrs. Chandra Bhandari (State Coordinator), Mr. Ram Dhakal (Principal, Spastic Society of Sikkim), CMO of Singtam Hospital, Dr. Tshering Laden Bhutia (Senior Special Educator) as well as different private and government schools.

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Since 17^th Jan 2020, we have been working in the districts of East and South Sikkim. We have visited different rural and urban areas to identify PWDs such as such as Gangtok and its adjoining areas and different rural areas of Singtam through home visit. Till March 2020, we have identified 6 children/people with DeafBlindness.

On 13^th march 2020, our Senior Special Education Mr. Vinay Kumar and Special Educator Mrs. Archana Sethi attended the program “One day Workshop on Rights of Persons With Disabilities, 2016” organized by Social justice, Empowerment & Family Welfare Department, Gangtok in collaboration with the National Centre of Promotion of Employment for Disabled People, New Delhi. On our Special Educator also attended an awareness program on Human Empowerment & Development organized by Dattopant Thengadi National Board for Workers, Educators & Development (Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt. of India) held at the Seminar Hall, CPWD, Baluwakhani, Gangtok. In this program our Special Educators had a brief discussion with early identification signs of disability and other.

An awareness program on information on disabilities was conducted by Ali Yavar Jung, National Institute of Speech & Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjans), Mumbai in collaboration with Sikkim Social Justice & Welfare Department on 20^th and 21^st November 2019. Four members of Sikkim Divyang Sahayata Samiti participated in this program.