Project ‘Samarthya’ inaugurated in collaboration with SBI Foundation and Pension Funds
Srinagar, November 30: “Samarthya – Center of Excellence” is a landmark project at the Prosthesis and Orthotics Unit of the Voluntary Medicare Society, or VMS. It was inaugurated by Jagannath Sahu, President and COO of the SBI Foundation, and Dr. Mir Mohammad Maqbool, Founder President of VMS.
The project is an initiative aimed at providing assistive and adaptive devices, prosthetics, and orthotic supports to persons with disabilities in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. A press release stated that the project is supported by the SBI Foundation and SBI Pension Funds Private Limited and is being implemented by the Voluntary Medicare Society.
A special delegation of five prominent individuals from the SBI Foundation and SBI Pension Funds Private Limited participated in the program. Led by Jagannath Sahu, President and COO of SBI Foundation, the high-level delegation from SBI included Shrikant Dash, DGM and Chief Operating Officer, SBI Pension Funds Private Limited; Shashi Bhushan, Vice President, CoE for PwDs, SBI Foundation; Raj Manek, Company Secretary and Compliance Officer, SBI Pension Funds Private Limited; and Mr. Vikas Dubey, Assistant Manager, CoE for PwDs, SBI Foundation.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by several prominent individuals and members of civil society, including Prof. Dr. Fazlul Qadir Parray, Principal, SKIMS Medical College, Bemina; Dr. Mahmooda, Assistant Director, Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir; Prof. Masooda Yasin, Vice President, VMS; Dr. Farooq A. Kalu, Secretary, VMS; and the Executive Board and Administration of VMS.
The event was inaugurated by Prof. The ceremony began with an opening address by Dr. Mir Mohammad Maqbool, who highlighted VMS’s vision to strengthen rehabilitation services and enhance accessibility for people with disabilities. Following the opening address, VMS Director Dr. Bashir Ahmad Lone delivered a short and informative PowerPoint presentation, outlining VMS’s legacy, services, and impact. This was followed by an overview of the SAMARTHYA project’s objectives, components, and implementation plan.
