”It all began in 1997 when SAKAR was born. Or was the beginning of much before? Let me remember and recount that there lies, unseen to most, a history behind every historical development.”

- Sri A.K. Motayed

It is indeed gratifying for me to share with you all the wonderful news of SAKAR upgrading its digital footprints through the eventful launch of its Website today. You All Are Welcome to the World of SAKAR in Its New Avatar: www.sakarodisha.org

On this momentous occasion I derive immense pleasure in undertaking a brief journey down the memory lane, inviting your esteemed company on the way!

It all began in 1997 when SAKAR was born. Or was the beginning of much before? Let me remember and recount that there lies, unseen to most, a history behind every historical development. It would be prudent, therefore, to hurriedly retrace the gradual transformation of SAKAR from its pupa stage to the butterfly of today!

That each individual is endowed with some or the other quality that could contribute to the growth of human civilization has found widespread acceptance amongst myriads of well-meaning persons with compassionate souls. Fortunately for us, one such person is verily in our midst; she is Smt. Swarupa the Founder, the inspirational Sustainers and the livewire Secretary since inception of SAKAR!

Decade’s back, in her growing up years, Smt. Swarupa had been hugely disturbed by the pitiable sight of injustice, discrimination, deprivation and exploitation of teeming millions in the society. Those spawned a desire and resolve in her to help correct the situation to whatever extent she could. She ventured out to try and help anyone in distress anywhere, obviously in very limited ways initially. Like charity, she began her social work at home and in its vicinity. Her socially useful works got a shot in the arm with her marriage to Shri Adinarayan, himself a votary of egalitarianism, who stood solidly behind Smt. Swarupa in promoting her philanthropic activities.

In the mid-nineties of the past century, Smt. Swarupa ventured out, single-handed, to the slums in Mali Sahi and Press Chhaka areas of Bhubaneswar in her mission to reach elementary education to the unfortunately deprived children of those bastis. The former, particularly, was a picture of squalor, deprivation and infamy. In her own little way she reached out to the most marginalised ones and tried to offer education as a potent instrument to ensure a better future for such children unfortunate by the fate of their birth. It was obviously a totally uneven crusade of an individual with an armoury of only her inner urge, incorrigible self-confidence and unshakeable resolve. And slowly, some glimmer of hope dawned.

Her single-handed devotion earned the notice of a couple of news reporters of the nationally reputed Indian Express media group. That paved the way for complimentary media coverage of her works worthy of emulation. Public exposure led to recognition and appreciation of her good works. She soon had the pleasant surprise of being selected for and awarded the prestigious “Ripan Kapur Fellowship” of the highly reputed CRY Foundation! That provided the big boost for her coveted flight from the Individual domain to the world beyond!

To give wings to her inner calling, she found it essential to opt for a formally structured organisation way. Such a realisation mothered the birth in 1997 of the ‘Society for Awareness, Knowledge And Rightful Living”, its acronym “SAKAR” aptly denotes “Self-Reliant” in Sanskrit!

It cannot be denied that the scent of good works attract good people in support of such a movement. A few other Good Samaritans of Bhubaneswar, of their generous volition, helped nurse SAKAR in its infancy. Soon SAKAR came of age, and in 2003 it earned its status as a registered Society, its small steps of yore amplifying to large strides in devoted service for the disadvantaged fellow-beings!

President Speaks..