Swabhiman ''State disABILITY Information and Resource Center''
'Founded in 2000, Swabhiman (State Disability Information And Resource Centre) is a registered nonpro
Swabhiman – State Disability Information and Resource Centre was established in the year 2000 and registered as a non-profit in 2002. It is a cross-disability organization and advocates for a human rights-based approach to disability. One of India’s frontline disability organization, it is founded and led by people with disabilities. Program areas include advocacy, awareness, education, research, and training. It was at the forefront of the new disability law consultation and passage, accessible elections, Census 2011, and amendment of several policies. Focuses on achieving SDG4 (Inclusive Education), SDG8 (Decent Employment), SDG6 (WASH), SDG10 (Reducing Inequality), SDG11 (Accessible Cities) SDG17 (Disaggregated Data); and increasing public awareness on disability rights. Has served over 47000 children and youth with disabilities directly and lakhs indirectly.
29/11/2025
27/11/2025: Odisha’s climate resilience requires collective, coordinated action. The ‘Dialogue with CSOs and Corporates’ underscored the need for government, civil society, and corporates to shift from parallel efforts to a unified, community-centred approach. Key priorities included trust-building, inclusive forums, people-first just transition, Indigenous knowledge, youth leadership, shared infrastructure, and science-based climate targets. Dignitaries—including Dr. Suprava Patnaik, Srestha Banerjee, Dr. Pratyush Panda, Dr. Jagadananda, Sujit Mohapatra, and Dr Sruti Mohapatra, CEO, Swabhiman—emphasized collaboration, livelihood protection, accessible climate communication, and inclusion. Reinforcing this call through compelling insights, Dr. Mohapatra said, “The language of climate change should be demystified.”
Jagadananda J International Forum for Environment, Sustainability & Technology (iFOREST) Bakul Foundation
27/11/2025
Honoring two icons of transformation at Odisha Vikash Conclave 2025!
Day 1 celebrated visionary leaders shaping Odisha’s inclusive future. Shri Joe Madiath, Founder of Gram Vikas, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for over 50 years of groundbreaking work in rural development and community empowerment. Dr. Sruti Mohapatra, Founder & CEO of Swabhiman, was honoured with the Odisha Accessibility & Equity Leadership Award for her trailblazing efforts in disability rights, accessibility, and inclusive policy reforms—fortifying our shared mission for an equitable Odisha.
21/11/2025
Children’s Day at Anjali turned unforgettable with the Carnival of Love & Cultural Parade of the 25th Silver Jubilee – Anjali International Child Festival 2025.
Flagged off from Gandhi Marg (Lower PMG) by Dr. Sruti Mohapatra and Odia Cine Star Sabyasachi Mishra , the parade featured 33 vibrant carnival teams, 8 cultural troupes, and participants from 30 districts and 17 states, filling the streets with colour, rhythm and joy.
From Chaiti Ghoda and Singha Baja to Punjabi Dhol, Sahi Jata, Laudi, Brass Band and more — every step celebrated diversity and childhood.
It was a morning where everyone laughed, loved, danced, dressed up and walked together in joy — a true Carnival of Love. 🌈❤️
20/11/2025
From art to movement to creativity and curiosity — our workshops are buzzing with happy faces and busy hands! ✨
Here’s a little glimpse of the magic happening across Anjali 2025
19/11/2025
The second evening of the 25th International Anjali Children and Youth Festival witnessed the unveiling of Mythika Land, an installation inspired by the cosmic serpent from ancient mythology. The attraction was inaugurated by H.H. Paramahamsa Prajnanananda Ji Maharaj, Head of Kriya Yoga International, who was accompanied by Swami Shuddhananda Giri Ji, Senior Kriya Yoga Master. Both dignitaries also visited the Science Exhibition and attended the cultural session of the evening.
The programme was graced by the presence of Dr. Shruti Mohapatra ( ), Founder and CEO, ; Padma Shri Adwait Charan Gadnayak( ), Eminent Sculptor and Former Director General, National Gallery of Modern Art; Dr. Padma Mahanti ( ._.mahanti ), Deputy Inspector General of Forests (Central), Ministry of Environment and Climate Change; and Padma Shri Aruna Mohanty (.odissi ), Odissi Danseuse and Choreographer.
The evening included the presentation of the Anjali Bravery Award to national wheelchair rugby player Gautam Singh, along with the distribution of 39 annual scholarships to students. The book “Unbroken: 101 Stories of Disabled Leaders” and the Anjali Camp Bulletin, prepared by students of IIMC Dhenkanal, were also released. Winners of the Science Modelling Competition were felicitated for their innovative entries.
The cultural segment concluded with a performance by Nrutya Upasana Peetha, adding distinction to the day’s events.
16/11/2025
Hands messy, hearts happy, and creativity running wild! 🎨✨
Day 1 at Anjali was all about fun learning, laughter, and finding joy in every little thing. 💛
13/11/2025
Bringing Stories to Life — Manguli Charan Rout & Pattachitra 🎨
A master of Pattachitra, Odisha’s iconic scroll painting tradition, Manguli Charan Rout transforms palm leaves and canvas into timeless stories. With a B.F.A. from Dhauli College and M.V.A. from Balasore Art & Crafts College, he has trained extensively in wood carving and Pattachitra, earning the National Award in 2008 for his contribution to palm leaf engraving crafts.
This year at Anjali 2025, Manguli Charan brings his art to you — guiding participants in creating their own Pattachitra masterpieces, connecting tradition, creativity, and imagination in every stroke.
🎨 Workshop: Pattachitra
📅 12th–15th November 2025
🕙 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Adivasi Exhibition Grounds, Unit 1, Bhubaneswar
Step into the world of colors, tales, and heritage — and paint your story with the strokes of Odisha’s oldest art form! 🌿✨
13/11/2025
An Inspiring Journey from the Indian Navy to the World of Healing through Laughter
We are honoured to welcome Lt Cdr Pravin Tulpule (Retd.), fondly known as Happy the Medical Clown, to the 25th Anjali International Children & Youth Festival, taking place from 12th to 15th November 2025 at the Adivasi Exhibition Ground, Bhubaneswar.
A retired Naval Officer, Lt Cdr Tulpule made a remarkable transition in 2001, from serving the nation in uniform to serving humanity through compassion, humour, and hope. As Happy the Medical Clown, he brings laughter and warmth to cancer wards, senior citizens’ homes, and children with special needs, using magic and genuine human connection to remind us that healing often begins with a smile.
Associated with Swabhiman and the Anjali Festival since 2015, he continues to spread messages of empathy and resilience through his work, inspiring countless hearts along the way.
As he beautifully says,
“Sometimes, the best medicine isn’t found in a bottle, it’s found in a warm hug, a smile, and laughter.”
We look forward to his presence as we celebrate 25 years of inclusion, courage, and creativity at Anjali 2025.
🎭 Workshop: The Art of Clowning
📅 12th–15th November 2025
🕙 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Adivasi Exhibition Grounds, Unit 1, Bhubaneswar
Join us and experience how laughter can truly heal. 💫
13/11/2025
We Are One: A Journey of Strength, Passion, and Magic 🌟
From the struggles of life to breaking barriers, We Are One (WAO). Trust has redefined what it means to be differently-abled. Founded in 2016, this incredible group of artists turned wheelchairs, crutches, and sign language into tools of expression, art, and joy. Through their performances, they have inspired countless hearts, proving that limits exist only in the mind.
This 11-year journey of resilience, hope, and creativity comes alive on stage as WAO brings their wheelchair dance and magical performances to the 25th Anjali International Children & Youth Festival. Cities, stages, and audiences have witnessed their fire — now it’s our turn! 🔥💃🕺
Join us to witness history in motion, feel the power of inclusion, and celebrate the unstoppable spirit of these extraordinary artists. Because at WAO, the message is clear: we are differently-abled, but together, we are ONE! 💖
13/11/2025
13/11/2025
An honour to have the Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, Pravati Parida , grace Anjali 2025 with her presence.
Her encouragement adds strength to our journey of inclusion and togetherness.
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After the accident which left her spinal cord severely injured, Dr. Sruti Mohapatra took to books. She was in a hurry to understand what had happened to her. Her first book was ‘Joni’ by Joni Eareckson. Joni Eareckson had broken her neck in a diving accident and was paralyzed. After months in hospital and rehabilitation centers, Joni learned to live with the fact that she could never lead a normal life again. For every act of daily living, she needed support. With the support of her family and her friends, Joni learned to live an active life and accepted the help with dignity. She also read ‘Take my Hands’ by Dr. Mary Verghese, the doctor in a wheelchair. After that, her next reading was about Stephen Hawking. Each of these stories infused her with the hope to start a new life, at a slower pace and often with assistance, back home in Odisha.
However, homecoming proved to be painful and perplexing. Shunned by society and humiliated at every step, she had become shy and soon she weaved a cocoon around her. She would interact just with her family, no one else was allowed in her cocoon. It was the Himalayan support of her parents and the love of her family which slowly gave her the strength to regain her confidence and look at life with a leonine zeal.
Her endeavor after that was a story of several pages, be it her going back to the University, earning a Ph.D., facing nth rejections while job hunting, or starting a study circle. The long and short of the stories is that perseverance and hard work are the only two keys to reaching goals successfully. In 1989, Dr. Mohapatra had started volunteering. Her sister, who got married the same year and left for the USA, sent her books and journals which fuelled her hunger for an independent and dignified living. Every page she turned gave her new dreams of living with her rights respected and protected. She corresponded with many of the addresses and telephone numbers in the magazines learning more with every turning page.
Dr. Mohapatra volunteered with the Odisha State Red Cross and visited Shanta Memorial Rehabilitation Centre. In 1995, she joined the disability movement in India with the protest for the passage of the Disability Act in the Parliament. In 1996, with the formation of the National Disability Network (NDN), India’s chapter of DPI, she traveled extensively around the world and visited many schools, attended many conferences, spoke in many meetings, and enriched herself on the issue of disability.
What struck her was the stark difference in the quality of life of persons with disabilities in India and South-Asia as compared to other countries. She had already got a lot of knowledge from the magazines she was reading but the practical viewing was stupendous. Disabled people were considered as second class citizens in our country, who lived to die. Persons with disabilities had no place in society. They were confined to rooms at homes in urban areas, special schools or vocational training centers, buildings of various associations for the disabled, or to the beds in hospitals. Dr. Mohapatra refused to yield to society’s then norms. Disabled people were as much human as anyone else. Dr. Mohapatra herself couldn’t walk, but she could think, speak, see, and perceive like anyone else.
The 1999 Super cyclone in Odisha was her first and direct involvement in disability work at the grassroots’ level. The death, the stench, the fear, and the destruction so close to life, unsettled her. And in 2000, she had an opportunity to visit Erasama with the team from Action Aid. The death, destruction, and suffering of people devastated her. She couldn’t fathom the depth of suffering of those disabled by the cyclone and those who were earlier disabled and were now mutilated by the cyclone.
In 2000, the Action Aid team led by program officer Madhumita Ray suggested that Dr. Mohapatra initiate an NGO to work for the cause of disability. She was then busy putting together a platform where children with disabilities and those without could spend a few days and enjoy hands-on activities. Her exposure in the USA of children studying and playing together had convinced her that children were the ambassadors of a cause. For visibility of the disabled, disabled and non-disabled children together had to have a meeting point. She had met 21 officers and important decision-makers in various organizations and the concept had been rejected.
The 22nd meeting was with Ms. Sukanya Rath, the Child Rights and Information Officer of UNICEF, Orissa office in 2001. “Why not! How wonderful…”, was the response. Ms. Sukanya Rath is a lady of immense vision and dynamism. Enthusiastic and active, she said, “Let’s get doing!” Dr. Mohapatra had known her since they were in college. They were a group of young, bubbly people, who had founded GLASH, an amateur music group that had become the talk of the town in the 1980s.
The 23rd meeting was with Mr. R. Balakrishnan, the then Secretary, Culture and Tourism (GoO). Never before had Dr. Mohapatra met a more sensitive and empathetic government officer. “Sruti, we should have a world-class event someday, can you promise me that?”, was all he said. And thus, Anjali was born in December 2001.
In 2001, we started an office of Swabhiman in Dr. Mohapatra’s residence, and by 2002, Swabhiman was a registered non-profit with an identity of its own in terms of a Governing Body, a bank account, and byelaws. Dr. Mohapatra personally believes that more than a piddly disability pension, what people with disabilities need is information. With the right information, at the right time, each person with a disability is capable of taking care of his/her own life and living with dignity. And that is what Swabhiman strives for.
