Wikipedia

Adhik Kadam

Adhik Kadam is an Indian social entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is on a peacebuilding and peacekeeping mission, working in the conflict zones of Jammu and Kashmir.[1]Kadam has completed a master's degree in political science. He is a co-founder and the chairman of Borderless World Foundation, which is an NGO that works for the deprived and victimized people of the border areas of India.[2][3] The NGO runs four orphanage homes for girls in four districts of Jammu and Kashmir.[4][5]

Adhik Kadam
Adhik Kadam at village, Sulkoot Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir
Born
Adhik Sadashiv Kadam

(1977-08-23) 23 August 1977 (age 47)
Pune, Maharashtra
NationalityIndian
EducationMaster of Arts in Political science
Alma materBharati Vidyapeeth, Sir Parashurambhau College, Savitribai Phule Pune University
Occupation(s)Social entrepreneur, social activist, peace maker
Years active1996–present
Known forBorderless World Foundation,
Basera E Tabassum
SpouseChahat
Parent(s)Vimal Kadam, Sadashiv Kadam

Career

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Early in his career, Kadam worked for many non-profit organizations as a Volunteer.[6] He started visiting Kashmir on an educational tour in 1997.[7] At the age of 19, he visited a Kashmiri Pandit refugee camp in Jammu to observe their conditions.[8] During the Kargil War, he worked on the forefront, especially for the refugees who were displaced in Kargil, Batalik and Drass Sectors.[9][better source needed][10] Later he worked with Balraj Puri[11] and the Institute of J & K Affairs on the project of "Children affected by armed conflict in Jammu & Kashmir" which was sponsored by UNICEF.[12][unreliable source?][13][14]

He founded the Borderless World Foundation (BWF) in 2002 with another activist from Pune, Bharati Mamani and a local resident, Mohiuddin Mir who had been active in the region since 1998. The primary objective of the NGO was to assist orphans and provide for their basic necessities with a focus on education. They worked extensively under the project of "Basera-e-Tabassum" (Abode of Smiles) to establish orphanages for girls in the Kupwara district and later in Budgam district. Mohiuddin Mir was killed in 2005 by militants.[15] From only 2 girls in 2002, the foundation has grown to accommodate more than 220 girls falling in the age group of 18 months to 20 years at four centers and can support at least 1000+ girls in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.[4][16] The first center was established in the Sulkoot village of Kupwara.[17]

Kadam has opened several group homes for orphans of the war, particularly females who according to him are the most vulnerable in conflict situations. He was kidnapped by militants who suspected him of working for intelligence agencies but was released on the intervention of locals. He was later detained by security forces who had grown suspicious of him as he was released by the militants unharmed.[8] Kadam is said to lead an ascetic lifestyle having dedicated his life to service and lives as described by an article in India Currents magazine as a "penniless vagabond".[18] He considers his work to be a spiritual journey.[19]

Borderless World Foundation

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Kadam started Borderless World Foundation (BWF) in 2002 with the objective of creating a more humanitarian world.[20][21] While conducting a children-centric socio-economic survey of the region, he gained insight into the challenges of the people living in these areas. He has worked on various ad hoc programs for local communities with am emphasis on those who had been widowed in the conflict before founding the organisation.[22]

Currently, the BWF houses around 230 girls. More than 110 girls have been re-integrated into their communities and 40 are pursuing higher education.[23] Kadam hopes to restore a "culture of faith" to the communities of Kashmir. The BWF currently has various ongoing projects and programs for humanitarian purposes.[24]

Basera-e-Tabassum

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Kadam initiated Basera-e-Tabassum (BeT), a shelter program established in 2002 for girls who lost their parents as a result of the armed conflict or terrorism during the ongoing Kashmir conflict.[25] The four centers (group-homes) in Kashmir region are called Basera-e-Tabassum (abode of smiles) and the one in Jammu is called  Fah (Facilitate and accomplish with humility).[26][18] The BeT centers also assist mothers who have lost their husbands in the conflict in providing financial and material aid to their children.[27][28][29] The BeT is supported by a few prominent philanthropists and well-wishers like the Holkar Family, Syed Ata Hasnain, Balraj Puri and Dr. S.Natarajan.[citation needed] The BeT also maintains facilities which allow children to travel to various cities for educational and exposure tours, and for higher education in professional courses.[30] [31]

Kashmir Life Line

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Kashmir Life Line is an ambulance service launched in 2015 with the aid of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.[32] Kadam, during his time, working in Kashmir had witnessed many deaths because of lack of emergency services for medical emergencies.[33][34] He initiated the Kashmir Life Line medical services in the Kashmir valley to help remedy the issue.[35][36] Border Security Force and J&K, Directorate of Health Services are also partnering in this project and run ambulances in border areas under this project.[37][38][33]

Kotak Mahindra Bank[39] under their CSR initiatives donated 5 critical care ambulances to BWF and Indian Army in 2021 in the presence of Shri Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister, Government Of India 2021[40] [41] [42] [43]

Helping pellet victims

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In the 2016–17 Kashmir unrest, due to use of pellet guns by security forces, many children and youths aged between 10 and 30 got completely or partially blinded, during protests and curfews.[44][45] More than 1200 cases were registered in hospitals. who were in need of treatment from specialists; otherwise they could lose their vision permanently.[46][47] Kadam assisted in humanitarian efforts with the help of the BWF by organizing doctors from across India, and asking them to come to Kashmir to perform eye surgeries for free.[48][49] Dr. S N Natarajan[50] at Aditya Jyot Hospital,[51] and, Dr. Mahesh P Shanmugam and Sankara Eye Foundation[52] at L V Prasad Hospital helped with recommending experts and provided free surgeries.[53][54] Kadam had brought more than a dozen doctors[55] to Kashmir to perform some of the most critical surgeries in SMHS Hospital[56][57] in Srinagar.[58][59]

Rah-e-Niswan

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"Rah-e-Niswan" (women's way), is a social entrepreneurship campaign in Kupwara. Initiated by Kadam, it is a project for women entrepreneurs in Jammu and Kashmir. The project trains girls in making sanitary napkins,[60] computerized embroidery,[61] stitching, knitting, fabric painting, and tailoring.[dead link][62] The aim of the project is to assist them in being self-sufficient and financially independent. Kadam has also helped young girls and boys to find jobs in various cities.[63]

Project DALPARI

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Adhik started a Mobile Medical Unit named "DAL Pari" in Dal Lake, Srinagar, in 2023. [64] The launch of the first floating Mobile Medical Unit in Dal Lake is a commendable effort to provide primary healthcare services to the community in Srinagar. [65] This innovative project is likely to have a positive impact on the health and well-being of the residents in the area.

The "DAL Pari" project not only addresses the healthcare needs of the community but also showcases a creative and adaptive approach to delivering medical services in a unique environment such as Dal Lake. The floating Mobile Medical Unit is expected to bring healthcare services closer to the people, especially those living in areas that might be challenging to access through traditional means.[66]

This initiative reflects a commitment to improving healthcare accessibility and contributing to the overall well-being of the community. It would be interesting to see how this project develops and the positive changes it brings to the healthcare landscape in Srinagar.[67]

Jammu Life Line

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"Jammu Life Line" was launched in 2017 by Kadam.[68] It is an ambulance service started for the people on the border districts of the Jammu region.[69] Kadam started the project after documenting the lives of people living on the Line of Control (LoC). The Indo-Pakistan border at LoC is considered perilous where skirmishes occur occasionally and sometimes result in civilian casualties.[70] The Jammu Life Line project is also partnered with the Border Security Force.[71]

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Kadam has given inspirational talks at various platforms. He was a speaker at a TED (conference) at Rajarambapu Institute of Technology(RIT).[72][73] He has also been a speaker at Stanford University, UC Berkeley, Princeton University and at various Rotary International clubs.[74][75][76] He also appeared in Kon Honar Karodpati television show.

Kadam was a finalist and speaker for National Conference on Social Innovation (NCSI) in 2018 organised by Pune International Centre, headed by Raghunath Anant Mashelkar, National Innovation Foundation and Tata Institute of Social Sciences.[77][78] He was named an INK Fellow at the 2016 INK Conferences.[79]

Awards and recognition

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See also

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References

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  2. ^ "Pune duo bring cheer to Kashmiri kids – Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  3. ^ "Mission beautiful Kashmir – Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Pune man gives new home to girls orphaned by violence in J". 12 February 2011.
  5. ^ "A safe haven for war torn girls – ThinkChange India". Archived from the original on 13 October 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  6. ^ "Adhik: The Guardian Angel of Kashmiri Girls". 22 November 2016.
  7. ^ Pti (12 February 2011). "Pune man gives new home to girls orphaned by violence in J". www.oneindia.com.
  8. ^ a b Wire, H. P. (24 May 2012). "Adhik Kadam's spiritual journey of service and suffering".
  9. ^ "Adhik Kadam's 100-mile bike ride for 100 donors – Asha Stanford". 5 October 2015.
  10. ^ "Adhik Kadam- A Man Who Proved That Humanity Has No Boundaries - SLSV - A global media & CSR consultancy network". 6 March 2023.
  11. ^ flrvs (12 August 2005). "Young victims of militancy". Frontline.in. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  12. ^ "Adhik Kadam's Journey of Service and Suffering : Islamic Voice".
  13. ^ Krishnan, Madhuvanti S. (1 December 2016). "Against all ODDS". The Hindu.
  14. ^ "Why did a Kashmiri terrorist trust Adhik Kadam with his daughter's upbringing?". awazthevoice.in.
  15. ^ "Perspective: The Children of the Valley". Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  16. ^ "Orphaned by militancy, girls get new lease of life - Early Times Newspaper Jammu Kashmir". earlytimes.in.
  17. ^ "How Green is My Valley – Indian Express".
  18. ^ a b Akkaraju, Vibha (1 August 2016). "Kashmir's Girls".
  19. ^ "Holding Kashmir in love | Adhik Kadam | TEDxRajarambapuIT" – via www.youtube.com.
  20. ^ Roy, Himanshu (16 December 2016). "Meet Adhik Kadam, Father To 200 Orphan Kashmiri Girls".
  21. ^ "Adhik Kadam's "Borderless" is more than an organization". Your Philanthropy Story. 17 August 2016.
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  24. ^ ABP Majha (13 October 2018). "माझा कट्टा - बॉर्डरलेस वर्ल्ड फाउंडेशनच्या अधिक कदम यांच्याशी दिलखुलास गप्पा" – via YouTube.
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  35. ^ Excelsior, Daily (13 October 2017). "Borderless World Foundation donates six ambulances".
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  37. ^ नेटवर्क, रक्षक न्यूज़ (14 October 2017). "सीमा सुरक्षा बल (BSF) को स्वंयसेवी संस्था BWF से मिली एंबुलेंस".
  38. ^ "Borderless World Foundation donates ambulance - Early Times Newspaper Jammu Kashmir". earlytimes.in.
  39. ^ "Kotak Mahindra Bank and its CSR Partner - Borderless World Foundation Provide Five Critical Care Equipped Ambulances to Various Units of Indian Army & Border Security Force in Jammu & Kashmir (UT)" (PDF). kotak.com.
  40. ^ "Rajnath Singh flags off Army's fleet of five trauma care ambulances". 20 August 2021 – via www.thehindu.com.
  41. ^ "Kotak Mahindra Bank : and its CSR Partner - Borderless World Foundation Provide Five Critical Care Equipped Ambulances to Various Units of Indian Army & Border Security Force in Jammu & Kashmir (UT) -September 09, 2021 at 10:12 am EDT | MarketScreener". www.marketscreener.com. 9 September 2021.
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  64. ^ ""DALPARI" ambulance boat launched in Kashmir's Dal Lake" – via www.youtube.com.
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  74. ^ "Works - F5 Multimedia Studio".
  75. ^ "Mumbai Diary: Sunday Dossier". mid-day. 28 February 2016.
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  77. ^ "NCSI 2017 Compendium".
  78. ^ "Device to detect diabetes early wins award". The Times of India. 17 November 2018.
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  83. ^ ajinkya gadave (15 December 2011), adhik kadam Indradhanu yuwanmesh award 2011, retrieved 31 August 2016
  84. ^ "CSO Partners Award".
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  88. ^ Maharashtra1 Tv (18 April 2016). "Savitri Sanman 2016" – via YouTube.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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