Tapasya Makes Govt Schemes Accessible To Vulnerable Pune Families

A social organisation, Tapasya, is bridging the gap between entitlement and access to government welfare schemes for vulnerable families in Pune. Founded in 2018 by Dr Tapas Sutradhar and Mrinal Rao, Tapasya aims to make government schemes more accessible to those who need them.

The idea for Tapasya emerged from an incident in Almora, Uttarakhand, where Sutradhar met a family that had completed all the paperwork required for an LPG subsidy but had still not received the benefit. This experience made him realise that poverty is not only about income, but also about people not being able to access opportunities and rights that already exist for them.

Tapasya initially focused on education, helping children from vulnerable backgrounds secure admission under the Right to Education (RTE) quota in private schools. According to Sutradhar, nearly 60 per cent of reserved seats often remain vacant because eligible families are unaware of them or face difficulties during the application process. Since 2018, the organisation has supported around 22,000 children through education initiatives.

Over the years, Tapasya expanded its work to cover a wide range of welfare programmes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it supported relief efforts, while in Pune and Nandurbar districts, it helped nearly 6,000 women access the PMMVY Scheme, which is a maternity-related benefit under government schemes.

At the heart of Tapasya’s work is Project Sakhi, under which women from local communities are trained as community change agents. These women identify eligible families, create awareness about schemes, assist with documentation and applications, and follow up with government departments. The model creates a ripple effect, with each trained woman supporting around 200 to 300 families annually.

More than 100 women have been trained as Sakhis, and the organisation plans to continue its work in making government schemes more accessible to vulnerable families. Tapasya’s approach is not to work for communities, but to build leadership within communities, making it a unique and effective model for social change.

The challenge of accessing government schemes is especially visible in remote areas, where government programmes often struggle to reach people. Even processes such as Aadhaar linking, ration card updates or applying for subsidies can become difficult when families are unaware of the procedures or do not know where to seek help.

Tapasya’s work is significant, as it highlights the importance of awareness and support in accessing government schemes. By training local women as community change agents, the organisation is creating a sustainable model for social change. The impact of Tapasya’s work can be seen in the number of families it has supported, and the organisation plans to continue its work in making government schemes more accessible to vulnerable families.

In conclusion, Tapasya is making a significant difference in the lives of vulnerable families in Pune by making government schemes more accessible to them. The organisation’s approach is unique and effective, and its work has the potential to create a ripple effect in the community. As the organisation continues its work, it is likely to have a lasting impact on the lives of many families in Pune.

The significance of Tapasya’s work lies in its ability to bridge the gap between entitlement and access to government welfare schemes. By creating awareness and providing support, the organisation is enabling vulnerable families to access the benefits they are entitled to. This, in turn, can have a positive impact on their lives, and can help to reduce poverty and inequality in the community.

Overall, Tapasya’s work is a testament to the power of community-led initiatives in creating social change. By building leadership within communities and creating awareness about government schemes, the organisation is making a significant difference in the lives of vulnerable families in Pune.