About Us | Swarga Foundation

Life is so random that nobody knows what is in store for them until it actually happens. We plan for rainy days but have no control over rain. In 2009, Swarnalatha J was a 29 year old managerial executive at an MNC in Bengaluru and a mother of a two year old boy. Everything seemed to be headed in the right direction when out of the blue came her rainy day. Her persistent high fever required hospitalization and it was diagnosed as Multiple Sclerosis [MS]. Neither Swarna nor her husband, Guruprasad, had heard of MS and it changed everything overnight. MS is a debilitating disease where the causes were still being researched. Complete loss of mobility and the inability to independently manage activities of daily living shattered all of Swarna’s personal and professional aspirations. Hospitalization had become imperative and along with that depression and dejection set in. As she started to cope with MS and accompanying issues, she also realized that she could fight back. The significant losses on the personal and professional sides led to a discovery that she could still do a lot of things and make a difference in others’ lives. Thus began the Swarga Journey. By 2014, Swarnalatha & Guruprasad had relocated to Coimbatore and Swarna had given birth to a beautiful daughter, Gaana. Swarna had successfully organized cyclothons and puppet shows for residents in her new apartment complex and at NGOs in Coimbatore. In October’14, Swarna & Guru started a charitable trust named, ‘Swarga Foundation’.

Swarga’s Mission

Swarga’s Mission is to improve the lives of individuals with Multiple Sclerosis and other neuro-muscular disorders by increasing awareness among the general public and thereby transforming the general attitude in society towards differently-abled individuals. This transformation will increase empathy and improve access to opportunities that are currently inaccessible due to lack of infrastructure and misinterpretations of disabilities among the general public.

Objectives

Awareness – Increasing awareness among the public, administrators, associations and the youth on Multiple Sclerosis and other neurological disorders like Paraplegia, Muscular Dystrophy, Parkinson’s disease etc., through marathons, cyclothons and presentations.
Counselling – Patients, caregivers, and family members on coping with disability and working on methods to lead a more engaging and fulfilling life.
Motivation – School, college students and general public to remove the stigma attached to disability and to be part of an inclusive society.
Inclusion – Discussion with policy makers, city officials, builders and owners to improve accessibility in all buildings & make them more disabled friendly.
Rehabilitation – Provide for wellness, medication, aids and vocational training to impoverished patients.
Education – Promoting art, music through puppet shows, jewellery and candle making.
Green initiatives – Water conservation and organic kitchen gardening among schools, special schools, orphanages and prisons by providing growbags, growing medium and seeds.

Vision

Our vision is an inclusive society where individuals with MS and other neuro-muscular disorders have access to all the opportunities in order to live a complete life.

Improved accessibility, more empathy and comprehensive rehabilitation of individuals with neuro-muscular disorders are imperative to make our vision true.

One of our intermediate goals is to establish a comprehensive rehabilitation centre where patients are guided by specialists and trained to deal with their specific problems.

Key Milestones:

Oct.2014 – Swarnalatha & Guruprasad founded Swarga Foundation in Coimbatore

Feb.2015 – Making and Screening of a short film titled “Life Finds a Way” with Pixton Magic at Coimbatore, Bangalore, Salem & Kollam.

May.2015 – Bike ride on World MS Day from Coimbatore to Bangalore to create awareness about Multiple Sclerosis

Oct.2015 – “I’m Special Calendar 2016” featuring 6 differently-abled achievers from Coimbatore. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IytXZqaxz5E&t=69s

May 2016 – Partnered with Election Commission and created a video to promote 100% voting during TN Assembly Elections 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CJf8IIn86Q

Jun 2016 – In order to improve the accessibility of Coimbatore Railway Station, Swarga Foundation teamed up with the Salem Railway Division and voluntarily became a member of the “Station Improvement Group” of Coimbatore Railway Station in June 2016 to address accessibility issues in Coimbatore and other stations under Salem Railway Division.

Oct.2016 – “I’m Special Calendar 2017” featuring 12 differently-abled achievers from across India. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96blXthaxjk&t=43s [Calendar Video]

https://youtu.be/FCSBU9-fpHc [Feedback from models]

Feb’2017 – “SARATHI” – Taminadu’s first wheelchair accessible transportation service providing hassle free travel to any destination of choice for those with mobility impairments and Senior Citizens. This is a wheelchair accessible van with a built in chemical toilet, a sofa-bed with guard rail & two pilot seats, temperature controlled cabin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpxv6iUreFM&t=18s

March 2017: Since moving to Coimbatore in 2014, we have lived at Royal Sheraton Apartments’ in Nanjundapuram. However, like most apartment complexes across cities in India, it was not wheelchair friendly. I was instrumental in making it wheelchair accessible. It took me nearly two years of repeated requests and multiple meetings to convince the Apartment Association to construct ramps to all buildings and common areas like the swimming pool, temple, badminton court, etc.

May 2017: Swarga Foundation completely renovated three wheelchair accessible toilets on the six platforms of the Railway Station in Coimbatore since they were not usable. The Foundation also completely modified a regular toilet in the air-conditioned lounge of Platform 3-4 into a unisex, wheelchair accessible toilet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl-CSpfaerc&t=40s

June 2017: Inauguration of the first wheelchair accessible restroom at the Corporation Boys Higher Secondary School, Ramanathapuram in Coimbatore.

September 2017: Member of Divisional Railway Users’ Consultative Committee (DRUCC), Salem Division from September 1, 2017. Mr. Verma, the Divisional Manager informed at a press conference on May 30, 2017 that he would sanction Rs.8.5 Lakhs for making other stations of the Salem division wheelchair accessible. Being a member of DRUCC would further strengthen the partnership that commenced in mid-2016 to achieve our common goal of wheelchair accessible railway stations in and around Coimbatore.

September 2017: A wheelchair accessible toilet was handed over to PN Pudur Government School

September 2017: Launch of the third Edition of the “I’m Special” Calendar Series for 2018 – featuring 12 different-abled athletes from across India who have won accolades at both national and international events.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO4FkCNIXA4&t=3s

October 2017: I’m Special Calendar 2018 video won the First prize in the Videography competition organised by CBM International. CBM is an international organization, committed to improving the quality of life of people with disabilities in the poorest communities of the world. The felicitation was organised at USI, New Delhi as part of CBM’s Golden anniversary Celebrations on October 31, 2017.

November 2017: Co-sponsored the 2nd National Individual Chess Championship for the differently-abled. The Championship was inaugurated by International Grand Master Vishwanathan Anand at Trichy on November 9, 2017.

December 2017: Inaugurated five wheelchair accessible restrooms and ramps at five different schools of Coimbatore Corporation

April-May 2018: Partnered with Vishwanathan Constructions Pvt. Ltd., and constructed a ramp for Coimbatore City Police Commissioner’s office, Huzur Road. Ramp was inaugurated on 23rd May 2018

September 2018: Released 4th edition of “I’m Special” Calendar for 2019 at Coimbatore featuring twelve differently abled female achievers from across India and diverse fields

October 2018: Inauguration of ‘Sowkhya Physiotherapy Centre’ on Puliakulam Road, Coimbatore by Honorable Minister of Municipal Administration, Mr.S.P.Velumani. This is an outpatient therapy center managed and run by Swarga Foundation opened to the public on Nov.18th. Qualified physiotherapists provide free therapy services to individuals with neurological disorders and anybody requiring physiotherapy. Coimbatore Municipal Corporation allocated almost 2000 sq. ft. of office space in the centre of the city for a nominal rent.

November 2018: Completion of Construction of one unisex wheelchair accessible toilet at Govt Hr. Sec. School, Irugur

December 2018: Completion of Construction of one unisex wheelchair accessible toilet at MSSD Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Vadavalli in Coimbatore

Introducing SARATHI MINI

Sep
14

Introducing SARATHI MINI, Senior-citizen/Wheelchair-friendly van for Intracity travel
Coimbatore Police

Sep
14

Coimbatore Police Stations & Police Establishments made accessible for all types of disabilities/ senior citizens and pregnant women