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| Name of Organisation : Alternative Realities |
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| One Line Descriptive Slogan : For Dignity with Homeless Citizens |
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| About us : Alternative Realities was started by Abhishek Bharadwaj in Mumbai to address issues of identity, health, livelihood and shelter for the homeless people in Mumbai. Using diverse methodologies such as street theatre, studies, survey and research, Abhishek and his volunteers sensitize the civil society towards the issue, negotiate with other organizations and institutions to use their existing infrastructure as night shelters, and arrange access to medical facilities for the homeless. |
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| Vision : City of inclusive and democratic society. City respecting work of all its citizens and help all citizens to lead a dignified life. |
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| Mission : Empowering Homeless citizens to lead a dignified life and help them to build Self identity |
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| Services Offered : . |
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| Impact Data / Statistics : . |
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| Brief History : Amidst the glittering nights of the city of Mumbai exists an Alternative Reality-something all of us witness but ignore. This reality is of our coolies, fruit vendors, construction workers, hand cart pullers, catering workers, all of them devoid of a basic need-SHELTER!! These are people without proper food, with lost hopes, victims of police atrocities, and children succumbing to juvenile delinquency. From the time Abhishek joined the renowned Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), he had a passion of working with the homeless population whom he saw enduring miseries in the metropolis like Ranchi & Delhi, from where he completed his study. He witnessed hundreds of homeless people wandering in search of livelihood, in various places of Mumbai. Abhishek once said, "Youth eking out in difficulty, without proper food for days with lost hopes and shattered dreams.homeless being victims of police atrocities, women taking refuge of sex work to meet their mere basic needs, old citizens languishing in the streets in search of security, children succumbing to juvenile delinquency.....this sight of extreme misery and predicament dawned on me as I saw this as the Reality of "Independent" India." But his firm belief that the reality can be changed and the homeless population, who marginalized to the lowest rung of society, can be empowered to change their lives so that they would enjoy dignified life and would be able to fight the callous attitude of society. His passion transformed into action in June 2003 with the support and encouragement of TISS. He could not tolerate the fact that police always beat them merciless and branded them as criminals. He felt is was sheer slander for homeless citizens and that they deserved to live their life with respect. Hence he initiated an organization called Alternative Realities and started building an effective alliance with NGOs, municipal authorities, the police, etc. to address the issues of the homeless. |
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| Brief Projects / Achievements : Active and cohesive group of homeless citizens in the city and local leadership development Constant exchanges with the homeless people, in the form of meetings, street plays, night-outs, workshops, etc., facilitated the formation of a 4 homeless groups of 20-25 persons in each group. The immediate objective set by the group is to get ration card. Each group has one group leader chosen democratically by group members, which is on a rotational basis. Identity formation of homeless people Efforts towards getting ration cards did not work out as Alternative Realities expected initially. Organisational identity cards were issued to homeless citizens, which has helped them to maintain individual identity and get a dignified visible existence. Ameliorating police brutality Constant interaction with police authorities has helped in bringing down the police atrocities among homeless citizens in Mumbai. In a workshop on repealing the "Beggary Prevention Act," Abhishek presented the homeless issue in front of police and beggar homes' authorities. In the workshop everybody agreed that rounding up homeless people at unearthly hours and treating them as criminals would further dehumanize these unorganized laborers. Access to quality health care Regular meetings with hospital authorities helped in sensitizing doctors towards treating homeless people as normal human beings and not discard them as filthy and smutty people. As a result of bad treatment in government hospitals, homeless citizens became distrustful of consulting doctors. This intervention which required persistence and threats of complaining to higher authorities and calling media people, made doctors to register the case of homeless patients and operate upon them. Sensitizing general public More than 150 street plays have been enacted across Mumbai on the issue of homelessness and related issues. As a result, several people showed interest in associating with the issue, including Journalists, Eminent Actors, Police Officials, Academicians, and Social Activists. Presentation at various colleges, NGOs, Clubs, workshops, etc. have also helped in sensitizing and mobilizing volunteers for the cause of homelessness. Networking with other voluntary organizations A vibrant and active network of various organizations, including YUVA Childline, Mahim Police, St. Michael's Church, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mahim Mohalla committee, and the Rotary club, is in place for supporting the issue of homelessness. Volunteer base One Common Interest Group (CIG) of passionate volunteers is constantly providing volunteers for activities like street plays, organizing meetings, resource mobilization for carrying out activities, etc. Now there is a group of 10 homeless youth who are taking homeless patients to hospitals. This group is ready for leadership training, after which they will take up other activities like group formation, street plays, etc. Policy advocacy Abhishek met with state officials - like the Secretary of the Women & Child Welfare Department of the Maharashtra state government - and influenced them towards amending the "Beggary Prevention Act" under which homeless citizens are beaten up mercilessly. Media advocacy In an effort to reach out to more and more people and make them aware of the issue of homelessness, Alternative Realities has put great effort into sensitizing print and electronic media in the state. As a result, the issue has became visible and everybody, including state officials, are starting to acknowledge the presence of homelessness in the city. It has also given homeless citizens a sense of dignity and identity. Creating support group of homeless citizens With the efforts of Alternative Realities, a support group of NGOs, academicians, the general public, corporations, government officials, media persons and the like has been created. Income generating activity with homeless citizens The organisation has also formed theater groups of homeless citizens. These groups provide consultancies and enact plays in programs of other NGOs andcharge a nominal contribution for it. Awards/Acknowledgement: Action Aid International India Fellowship 2004-2006 Ashoka Change Loom Award 2006 Rotary Club Vocatio of the Year Award 2006 |
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| What do you exactly do for a beneficiary?: Forming active and cohesive group of homeless citizens at location where they live. Catalyzing the formation of active geographical groups of homeless citizens and link it with functional group. Helping Homeless citizens to get access to quality health care. Supporting Homeless citizens towards building self-identity. Initiating creative activities with Homeless citizens towards produtive utilizatio of their time & space. Linking Homeless citizens with other resource network. Empowering homeless citizens on human rights issues. Build mass awareness on Homeless issue. Forming a support group for Homeless citizens. Influencing state policies in favour of Homeless citizens. |
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| Info sources: brochure, Annual Activity Report, website,
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| Programmes organised during the year: Geographical Group Meetings Media Advocacy Street Play Night-outs |
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| Financials: |
| - Yearly Budget: 10 |
| - Revenue Sources: Community Contribution Self Funding Rotary Club Individual supporters |
| - Key Sponsor: Community Contribution |
| - A corporate can adopt us at yearly funding of Rs. Yes, INR 5-6 lacs |
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| Organisation: |
| - full time: 5 |
| - part-time: 0 |
| - volunteers: 25 |
| - trustees: Miss Shubhra Singh Miss Shubhra Bhandari Mrs Mehnaz Shaikh |
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| Registration Data: |
| Public Trust Act - Regn. No E972 |
| Income tax Act - |
| FCRA - |
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| One moving testimonial: |
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