FR. SOLY KADAMBATTUPARAMBIL CMI
The only thing worse than being blind is having sight, but no vision., said Helen Keller
A sustained commitment to inspire a culture of excellence by putting equality, inclusion and rights in the centre of the life of the marginalized with physical and mental disabilities, is indeed an arduous task and exemplary. The effort is all the more praiseworthy when the person executing the task is himself visually impaired. Soly Kadampattuparambil (Solomon KP), at a very young age, had identified his vocation as the upliftment of the tribal population, while he was working in Madhya Pradesh. But in 2008, in his mid-thirties, he started gradually losing his eyesight. Though the loss of his vision did shake him initially, he soon accepted the new condition and committed himself to do far more wonderful work for people with various disabilities. He emerged as a phoenix from the ashes of his own ailment to fly high as an activist and a facilitator of empowerment.
He returned to Kerala for further treatment and follow-up, and soon realised that the visual impairment he was suffering from could not have a permanent cure. But he accepted his destiny with grace, transforming himself in the process as a person with UNLIMITED VISION.
Soon, he started his first venture namely, Dharsana Club, in the year 2017, for the upliftment of the visually impaired. But later on, Dharsana opened its doors to all persons with special needs. In view of providing legal status to Dharsana Club, a Charitable Society under the name Dharsana Service Society was registered on 19/01/2022 and its registration number is TSR/TC/36/2022. Now Dharsana Club is functioning under Dharsana Service Society.
A number of cultural innovations such as SOURCE OF LIFE, DHARSANA SHINGARIMELAM (a musical percussion ensemble) and IRULETTAM NAADANPATTU KALASAMITHI (a folklore singing group) are fruits of his efforts where differently abled persons are given a platform to perform, thus helping them boost their self-esteem as well as earn a livelihood. Cricket tournament for the blind, chess tournament for differently abled, swimming academy for visually challenged and basketball academy for orthopedically challenged are opening up new vistas of hope and confidence for persons with disabilities.
His benevolent innovations for improving the life standards of differently abled persons from the economically backward sections of the society like the supply of wheelchairs, water beds, air beds, house provisions and financial aid under Dharsana Club, as well as dialysis helpline and blood donation by the differently abled are nothing but a silent revolution that brings great solace in the lives of these people and their families.
Realising that social media can play a constructive role in the upliftment of these less privileged people, Soly initiated a number of social media innovations which included YouTube channels and video programmes. MARGADHARSHIKAL is an online visual treat through Dharsana YouTube channel where people with visual challenges and physical challenges are interviewed by Dharsana Club members (visually/physically challenged). It is a platform for them to open up about their struggles and challenges before the public, thus creating an awareness in the society about the needs of the differently abled. KANAVU is an online platform for people with disabilities to showcase their talents which is recorded and shown to the public through Dharsana YouTube Channel on a weekly basis. It infuses the participants with a lot of enthusiasm and confidence which is a unique approach in rehabilitation. SNEHAMUKULANGAL, a short video streaming through Dharsana YouTube Channel weekly, introduces families of persons with intellectual disabilities like autism, mental retardation, cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. It also gives a chance for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities to showcase their hidden talents.
The wheelchair basketball team formed by Fr Solomon has taken part in national events. He has also founded Little Brethren, a fraternity of persons affected by dwarfism. Our Lady of Sorrows, formed by Fr Solomon is a group where widows get together and support one another. Eden Family is another support group, which is for childless couples. A Wednesday Market is also being held to sell products of differently abled.
Fr Solomon also took the initiative to organize Vibhinna Mikavu 2022, a comedy-music-dance mega show that brought together differently abled artists and Kalabhavan artists. In recognition of his selfless services, Fr Solomon was bestowed with the Platoon Award for the Best Social Activist by Platoon, Thrissur.
Proactively engaging, making seminal contributions, Soly K P is treading an ‘extra mile’ to make the lives of the marginalized more meaningful and joyful.