TLM

TODAY
NEWSLETTER OF THE LEPROSY MISSION TRUST INDIA
Vol 7 NO 2 JULY SEPT 2015

The power of partnership...

that makes difference in the lives of people affected by leprosy

C O M M U N I C AT I O N H U B
NEW DELHI: In an event organised in Shahdara, New

(ALIMCO), a public sector undertaking was mandated to

Delhi, on June 19, Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Honble

fabricate the required aids and assistive devices.

Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt

In the function organised on June 19, these aids and

of India, inaugurated ADIP (Assistance to Disabled

assistive devices were distributed free of cost to

Persons) special distribution camp, where 1,356 aids

people affected by leprosy, in the presence of officers

and assistive devices were distributed to 592 leprosy-

from Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment of

cured people with disabilities, at a total cost of Rs 61.46

the Government of India, the district administration,

lakhs.

ALIMCO, Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Institute for Physically

Earlier, in November 2014, TLM Hospital, Shahdara,

Handicapped and The Leprosy Mission Trust India

New Delhi, had organised a disability assessment camp,

(TLMTI). During the function, the Honble Minister

where people affected by leprosy, with disabilities were

released Incredible 140, TLMTIs compendium which

assessed for their needs of aids and assistive devices.

contains 140 stories that speak of its history and its

Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India

work.

Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Honble Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment,
Govt of India, inaugurating the ADIP special distribution camp

Emergency?
Call an ambulance. Weve got one now!
M. MARTHAMMA
VADATHORASALUR: As a 20-bedded hospital where about

over the keys of the Tempo Traveller to Dr Chinnaraju,

120 patients come for outpatient consultations every

Superintendent of the hospital. It was SBIs gift to TLMTI

day; where more than 30 staff work untiringly to provide

for its work for people affected by leprosy.

superior service; where the hospital staff have to travel 17

km to the city using public transport to collect medicines
for the hospital from the transporters warehouse, TLM
Hospital at Vadathorasalur needed an ambulance badly.

IN THIS ISSUE

2
3
4
5
6

The power of partnership...

From the Directors desk
Our people, our strength
Life changed for a lifetime
You can partner with us

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The ambulance changed the way the hospital served the

patients. After the ambulance came, the hospital staff
travelled to 53 far-flung villages of Ulundurpet Block to
conduct needs-assessment camps. This has benefitted

The situation changed on January 9, when the manager

1,200 differently-abled people. The hospital has plans to

of State Bank of India (SBI), Kallakurichi branch, came to

conduct more village clinics for the benefit of the needy

the hospital in a brand new Tempo Traveller and handed

patients.

Emergency? Call an ambulance. Weve got one now!

No need to fear ulcer. We have MCR footwear to protect our feet
Internal auditors in the making
Creating linkage with other NGOs

From the Directors desk

No need to fear ulcer. We have MCR

footwear to protect our feet
C O M M U N I C AT I O N H U B
SHAHDARA: Delhi Christian Chorus, one of the

MCR footwear which is supplied to people affected by

oldest choirs in Delhi, donated 400 pairs of Micro

leprosy with anaesthetic feet.

Cellular Rubber (MCR) protective footwear to people

affected by leprosy with anaesthetic feet, at TLM
Hospital, Shahdara, New Delhi. Out of this, 50 pairs
were distributed in a function organised on June 6, at
Shahdara hospital.
Dear Colleagues,

Bindu, a 45-year-old woman who received a pair

Effective communication is an important aspect of any individual

of MCR footwear said, As the footwear is made

and organisation. For an organisation, it serves in building its

according to the shape and size of my feet, it will help

image.

me in protecting my feet from ulcer, while Brahm Dev,

In the past few years, our organisational communication has

a 50-year-old man said, The quality of the footwear is

been evolving in keeping with the emerging changes in the

good, and they are socially acceptable.

external environment and the needs of the organisation. For

this to be effective, each of us has a responsibility to make our
communication strategy effective.
We have now established a Communication Hub at the country
office, with a very clearly defined role. It is responsible for
streamlining TLM Indias communications both internal and
external to capitalise on our strengths, and to take advantage
of the various technology, platforms and media available to us.
We hope that in the days to come, our Communication Hub will
be a resource and a repository for all communication materials,
contemporary communication skills and strategy.
As part of this initiative, the Communications Hub is bringing
out our newsletter, TLM TODAY, with a new-look in a different
format and design, which I trust you will enjoy reading.

People affected by leprosy often develop ulcers

on their anaesthetic feet which lead to permanent
disability. They need to use special protective footwear
with MCR insoles to protect their feet from injuries.
It also helps them cover their deformed feet to save
them from stigma.
A pair of MCR footwear costs Rs 300. In 2014,
TLMTI had supplied 17,862 pairs of MCR protective
footwear to people affected by leprosy. TLMTI has a
MCR manufacturing unit in Vizianagaram, Andhra
Pradesh, which has supplied more than a million
pairs of MCR insoles so far to people affected by
leprosy. At present, TLMTI uses 50% of its annual

Regards,

MCR production, and the rest is used by other NGOs

Dr Sunil Anand,

and Orthotic centres. TLM Hospitals in Kolkata,

Director,

Naini, Purulia and Salur have facilities for making

The Leprosy Mission Trust India

MCR protective footwear is a boon to people affected by

leprosy with anaesthetic feet as it protects their feet from
developing ulcers

WEVE CHANGED!

A new look for our newsletter

The time has come for a makeover!
After establishing a Communication Hub in TLMTI, were looking at ways to communicate with you in a better way. As part
of this, weve redesigned our newsletter TLM TODAY adding more colour and content to make it exciting. The first thing
youll notice is, our newsletter is now in a magazine format with
a cover page, followed by five pages. We have plenty of stories
and features, all put together in a crisp and creative way.
We will continue improving, incorporating best practices,
and connecting more deeply and authentically with you. A big
thank you to everyone who helped the Communication Hub
bring out this new look newsletter.

Editor

Want to reach newer destinations? Go the extra mile!

Mr Vijay Prathap Kattula, Deputy Superintendent, TLM Hospital, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh
C O M M U N I C AT I O N H U B
Napoleon Hill, the American author, once said,
One of the most important principles of success
is developing the habit of going the extra mile.
Willingness to go the extra mile has the power
to turn the ordinary into extra-ordinary.

Our people,

Our strength!

It was his willingness to go the extra mile that made Mr Vijay

Prathap Kattula, who started his career as an office boy
with Sahara IndiaPariwar, in 1993, to what he is today. In 1997,
Vijay left Sahara IndiaPariwar and joined Hotel Green Park in
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. He worked there in different
positions - as a Bellboy, Receptionist, Cashier, Reservations Asst,
Telephone Operator and Front Office Supervisor - till 2006.
A leader who always leads from the front, Vijays philosophy in
life is to go the extra mile to ensure that whatever responsibility
is given to him, is fulfilled perfectly. In September 2006, God
honoured his desire to work with people affected by leprosy,
and he joined TLM Hospital, Chandkhuri, in Chhattisgarh,
as Administrative Assistant. In October, 2009, he was given
the responsibility of the hospital, Vocational Training Centre,
snehalaya and other community development projects of TLM,
in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh. Gods bigger plans for Vijay slowly

Internal auditors in the making

C O M M U N I C AT I O N H U B
NOIDA: A four-day workshop on Audit and Risk Management was organised by TLMTIs
Audit and Risk Management domain for 16 second-line managers of various TLMTI units, at
Media Centre, Noida, from April 20 to 23. The objective of the workshop was to impart risk
management skills to the participants.
The workshop was facilitated by Ms P.K. Jaishree, a Bengaluru-based Chartered Accountant,
and Mr Benison Solomon, Domain Head - Audit and Risk Management, TLMTI. The topics
covered in the workshop included audit, risk management, internal controls, risk matrix, risk
evaluation and audit report writing. Classroom training was followed by a practical training
session at TLM Hospital at Shahdara.

Ms P.K. Jaishree, a Bengaluru-based Chartered Accountant

took classes on audit, risk management, internal controls,
risk matrix, risk evaluation, audit report writing

unravelled. In September 2014, Vijay

was given the charge of TLM Hospital,
Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, as Deputy
Superintendent.
With Vijay taking charge, Barabanki
hospitals fortunes are changing. His
innovative ideas for providing improved
patient care, local fundraising, greater
church relations, utilising vacant land
for agriculture have all started showing
results. A leader who truly believes in
stewardship, the entire Barabanki hospital
team under Vijays leadership is motivated
to fulfil Gods plan for TLMTI in Uttar
Pradesh.
Born on 21st December, 1976 at
Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Vijay is a
Commerce graduate with a Masters
Degree in Business Administration
(Finance). He married Aparana in 1998.
The couple is blessed with two daughters
Jyothsna, their elder daughter is in Junior
College, while Baby Lahari, the younger
one is in school.
Vijay attributes his success to Gods grace
and the support of my superiors. For Vijay,
the journey to newer destination continues.
How can a person who is always willing to

One of the most important

principles of success is
developing the habit of going
the extra mile.

The best thing that has

happened to me...

Creating linkage with other NGOs

for greater reach and impact

M AT H A N R A J D AV I D

Life Changed
for a Lifetime

Leprosy, which affected Abubakkar when he

was seven years old, had almost devastated
his life his right hand had become more or
less non-functional. He, somehow, completed
higher secondary school education in
Odukathur town where he lived. His father, a painter working on daily wages, could do
nothing but worry about his only son!

In 2003, Abubakkar took MDT for one year from Odukathur Primary Healthcare Centre,
and then was referred to Schieffelin Institute of Health Research & Training Centre,
Karigiri, for reconstructive surgery. He underwent reconstructive surgery twice - one for
correction of right hand claw and another for thumb drop correction.
Schieffelin Institute of Health Research & Training Centre referred him to TLM
Vocational Training Centre (VTC), Vadathorasalur, Tamil Nadu, in 2012 for a course in
Data Processing and Computer Application. After successfully completing the course,
he is now doing his undergraduate course in Computer Application through distance
education. At the same time he is working in a private company in Vellore, Tamil Nadu,
as a computer operator drawing a decent salary. He earns extra income through on-call
computer servicing.
19-year-old Abubekkar feels that the best thing that has happened to him is joining tlm
VTC. VTC has helped me and my family to live with dignity, he says.

SURESH DHONDGE
KOTHARA: Inclusive Holistic Development of

of leprosy and government social security

Individuals with Disabilities (IHDID) project

schemes. As part of field work, the participants

conducted a two-day capacity-building programme

visited villages where IHDID project is working to

on community-based rehabilitation (CBR) for

get first-hand knowledge of the process of CBR.

eight members of Grameen Shramik Pratishthan

Dr Asha Massey, Superintendent, TLM Hospital,

SWADHAR, an NGO working in Latur district of

Kothara and Mr Suresh Dhondge, Programme

Maharashtra state, from May 24-26.

Manager, TLMs IHDID project were the resource

SWADHAR is planning to expand their work

Abubakkar says the best thing that has happened to him was joining TLMs Vocational Training Centre, where his life was rebuilt

persons for the programme.

among all types of differently-abled people, and

Through this capacity-building programme,

they requested TLMTIs expertise in building the

TLMTI could create linkage with Grameen

capacity of their staff. The training programme

Shramik Pratishthan for working with people with

focussed on topics, like disability, rural community

disabilities. People with disabilities from Southern

development, women empowerment, rural poverty

Maharashtra will be benefitted through this

alleviation, disability management, early diagnosis

partnership.

You can partner with us to bring healing, inclusion and dignity

in the lives of people affected by leprosy!
The Leprosy Mission Trust India
(TLMTI), a member-country of TLM
Global Fellowship, is the largest
non-governmental organisation
(NGO) in India working with
people affected by leprosy, people
living with disabilities, and other
marginalised communities
(like women, people from tribal
background, etc) for their inclusive
development, for over 140 years.
TLMTI is registered in India, under
the Societies Registration Act, 1860,
with its head office in New Delhi.
Vision
TLMTIs vision is: People affected
by leprosy living with dignity
in transformed communities
that have overcome leprosy. To
achieve its vision, TLMTI focuses
on six major areas: Health,
Sustainable Livelihoods, Advocacy,
Organisational Development,
Partnerships, and Fundraising.
Accordingly, TLMTI programmes
are in the domains of Health,

Sustainable Livelihoods &

Empowerment, Advocacy &
Communication, Research &
Training, with the domain support of
Learning & Development, Finance,
Human Resource, Internal Audit &
Risk Management and Fundraising
domains.
Presence in India
TLMTI has its presence in
nine states of India (Andhra
Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh,
Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu,
Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh
and West Bengal) through its
14 hospitals, six Vocational
Training Centres (VTCs), seven
community development projects,
five Snehalayas (for the care of
elderly people disabled by leprosy),
a Molecular Biology Research

great concern that India accounts

for 58% of the leprosy cases in the
world. A total of 1,25,785 new
cases of leprosy were reported by
the Government of India in 2014-15.
This means, one person is newly
diagnosed with leprosy every four
minutes in India. This also means,
every four minutes one family (four
to five people) faces the potential
threat of social isolation due the
stigma attached to leprosy!
You can partner with us
You can partner with us in bringing
healing, inclusion and dignity in the
lives of people affected by leprosy.

TLMTI is accredited by GiveIndia,

a reputed fundraising portal,
and is live on GiveIndias website
http://www.giveindia.org/m1581-the-leprosy-mission-trustindia.aspx

TLMTI is also empanelled by Tata

Institute for Social Sciences with
the National CSR hub, in 2015.

Laboratory and a centre for

advocacy and communication.
About Leprosy
Leprosy is a major public health
problem in India. It is a matter of

How to donate?
For donations by cheque: Cheques/DDs may be drawn in favour of The Leprosy Mission Trust India, payable at
New Delhi, and send to the following address:
Manager Donor Relations,
The Leprosy Mission Trust India,
CNI Bhavan, 16, Pandit Pant Marg, New Delhi-110 001.
For online donations: Please visit the following link - http://tlmindia.org/donate/#tab-1-1
Contributions to The Leprosy Mission Trust India are exempted from Income Tax under Sec 80 G of Income Tax
Act, 1961.
In case you need any information/clarification on how to partner with us, please feel free to contact us on phone
number +91-120-4077200, or email us at donate@tlmindia.org

For more information, please visit our website

www.tlmindia.org

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Published by:
The Leprosy Mission Trust India
CNI Bhavan, 16, Pandit Pant Marg,
New Delhi - 110 001
Tel: +91-1143533300, 23716920,
Fax: +91-1123710803
E-mail: info@tlmindia.org

For private circulation only

About us

Produced by: Communication Hub,

The Leprosy Mission Trust India
Please feel free to drop us a line
and share your comments, email
us at tlmtoday@tlmindia.org

Thank you for your concern for the people affected by leprosy.