Our background
On 30th January 2015, GRIRR was founded with just 20 children with disabilities. In 2017, we connected with Kolkata Gives run by Mr. Mudar Patherya, who generously started sending essential physiotherapy equipment — a support that continues to this day, greatly aiding our growth. Understanding the vital role of aids and apparatus in rehabilitation, we expanded to producing artificial limbs.
We are dedicated to helping children achieve self-reliant adulthood by providing high-quality education, therapeutic support, and job placement services. We work directly with children and young adults with special needs, focusing on those from economically disadvantaged and socially marginalized backgrounds.
Our facility
GRIRR works out of an 800 sq. ft. centre in Garden Reach, Metiabruz, open from 10 am to 7 pm. Our Howrah Mini Branch, inaugurated on 11 May 2025, was providing rehabilitation to 148 children by March 2026
Our
relevance
We are located just where we are most needed in Kolkata. Metiaburz comprises a population of around 350,000 people. Even at a one per cent penetration rate, the incidence of physical disability among children has been estimated around 3500 (apart from adults). There is only one NGO in Metiaburz that addresses the rehabilitation needs of children with disabilities – and that is GRIRR. There is one more reason that makes an NGO like us relevant to that terrain: the demographic profile of the population is low income; any incidence of disability within their families can affect disposable incomes, putting a premium on the need to rehabilitate children with speed and effectiveness. Besides, the neighbourhood mindset s reconciled to the interpretation of disability as a lifelong curse, making it imperative to provide hope.
Our culture
At GRIRR, our culture is one of caring plus competence. We are interested in the individual progress of each child; this is reflected in the customized services that we provide. Our culture also comprises competence: this is reflected in basic training for each GRIRR member. Our team includes therapists trained at Mobility India, Bangalore, and professionals certified by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). This has ensured a consistent recall: ‘If you go to GRIRR, you will be looked after well.’
Our ethical fabric
Mission
An inclusive development of society, where children with disabilities and person with disabilities have equal access to education, health, livelihood and good quality of life.
Vision
- Community empowerment and awareness about disabilities.
- Promoting inclusive development
- Facilitating access to services related to habilitation and rehabilitation.
- Capacity building of young persons with disabilities towards independence so that can live with dignity.
Goal
- Help children with disabilities cope with daily/personal chores
- Initiate formal education with the aim to mainstream them towards normal lives
- Enhance awareness on diverse disabilities
- Help create an inclusive society.
Values
Integrity
Professio
nalism
Accountability
Transparency
Team work
Gender
inclusion
Our approach
| Step | What we do |
|---|---|
| Screen | We identify disabilities and assess physical and social challenges using specialised tools. |
| Set goals | We create personalised short- and long-term goals around each child’s strengths and needs. |
| Train at home | Caregivers learn practical home-care and rehabilitation techniques. |
| Rehabilitate | Therapy, daily-living skills and assistive aids help children become more independent. |
| Teach differently | Personalised teaching with visual, audio, hands-on and peer learning. |
| Connect to support | We help families get disability certificates and government benefits. |
Our philosophy moves through five stages: Reach, Rehabilitate, Empower, Include, Celebrate.
Silai Gully
Silai Gully stall at an exhibition
Handmade Silai Gully products
Silai Gully is GRIRR’s livelihood programme for women, including mothers of children with disabilities. In FY 2025-26, it supported 24 women in developing tailoring and handicraft skills, along with practical experience in product development, pricing, sales and customer interaction.
The women did not only learn how to make products; they learnt how to take them to market. Across four exhibitions and events, their handmade products, including rakhis, generated Rs. 43,000+ in sales at the Nagpur exhibition. At the 033 Sharodiya Edit, the women managed their own stall and made Rs. 18,600 in sales. For Diwali, they created handcrafted gift boxes with diya holders, coasters, wardrobe sachets and marigold flowers, opening up opportunities for corporate gifting.
For Gudya Devi, tailoring became more than a skill. After joining Silai Gully, she began earning independently, making Rs. 11,600+ in a single month.
Our
community initiatives
Skill training for youth with disabilities
Most youngsters with disabilities in Garden Reach need to commute long distances for gainful employment. Their biggest hindrance: low competence affects their employability. GRIRR responded with a skilling initiative; it provided basic hotel management training in collaboration with Mitti Cafe. Some 80 participants completed their training; we are happy to state that eight have been employed and are now financially supporting their families.
Aashayien Self-Help Group
Aashayien Self-Help Group (SHG) brings together individuals facing challenges to enhance awareness about disabilities and provide access to government facilities. The individuals are encouraged to save in banks. During the lockdown, they stitched masks for a living, generating which allowed them to support their families.
Trash to Treasure
This initiative by homemakers has helped provide clothes for each child celebrating his or her birthday at GRIRR. A private initiative provides a large birthday cake for all those celebrating their birthday each month.
Today, 25 to 30 children celebrate their birthdays at GRIRR every month.
KHOJ
We conducted this research during Durga Puja 2022 to ascertain the number of children with disabilities in Ward 134 of Kolkata (Garden Reach). Despite challenges, we identified 372 children with disabilities in just one ward. A sample wise approach indicated around 3,500 children with disabilities in the whole of Metiaburz. This estimation has only deepened our resolve to make a difference, considering that we presently service only around 10 per cent of our total addressable terrain.
Facilitating Disability Certification and Social Welfare Benefits
We also support persons with disabilities in accessing essential government services. Our team facilitates the process of obtaining disability certificates through the respective government hospitals, based on the applicant’s ward.
In addition, we assist beneficiaries in applying for railway concession passes and various social welfare schemes, including the Manobik Scheme, through which eligible children receive monthly financial assistance of ₹1000.
GRIRR’s mobilisers guide families through documentation, applications, hospital visits and follow-ups. In FY 2025-26, 84 children received disability certificates and were enrolled in government schemes
We aim to ensure that every eligible individual can access their rights and benefits smoothly, without barriers.
Disability Awareness and Early Intervention Initiatives
We actively conduct awareness programs across 9 wards to promote the prevention of disabilities, early identification, and understanding of disability rights.
These sessions are organised in collaboration with ICDS centres, primary schools, and high schools to reach children, parents, and community members at the grassroots level.
Through these programs, we aim to create awareness about early signs of developmental delays, encourage timely intervention, and ensure that children with disabilities are identified early and connected to appropriate support services.
We also focus on educating families and communities about the rights of persons with disabilities, helping them access available government schemes and services.
In April 2025, our team conducted door-to-door surveys, visited five schools and put up around 200 awareness materials. In FY 2025-26, 2,932 households were reached through community surveys.
Drum and Band Initiative for inclusion and recognition
We have initiated a Drum & Band program with the objective of building a dedicated team where children and youth can showcase their talent and creativity.
Through structured training and regular practice, we aim to prepare participants to perform at prominent public platforms and large-scale events such as those held at Red Road and other major venues.
This initiative is designed not only to nurture their musical skills but also to provide them with a unique identity, boost confidence, and create opportunities for public recognition and inclusion.
Our goal is to empower them to stand proudly, represent their abilities, and be celebrated for their talent in mainstream spaces.
In August 2025, GRIRR’s first inclusive marching band performed at the Independence Day celebrations, with 16 children on stage. Today 22 children take part in the band.
Empowering Youth Through Sports: Rugby Initiative
We have introduced rugby as a platform to promote inclusion, physical development, and confidence among children and youth. Through regular training sessions, participants learn teamwork, discipline, and leadership skills in a supportive and inclusive environment.
The program encourages active participation of children from diverse backgrounds, including those with disabilities, helping them build strength, coordination, and self-belief.
Our objective is to create opportunities for participants to showcase their abilities in local matches and larger sporting platforms, while also fostering a sense of identity, belonging, and empowerment through sports.
Through rugby, we aim to break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and highlight the potential of every child to thrive both on and off the field.
In FY 2025-26, 30 children took part in a four-day Rugby Winter Camp.
Inclusive Education and School Admission Support
We actively support children with disabilities in accessing formal education by facilitating school enrolment and mainstreaming them into regular schools. Our team works closely with families to identify suitable schools and guide them through the admission process.
We coordinate with school authorities to ensure that children are accepted in an inclusive and supportive environment. Wherever needed, we advocate for the child’s needs and help schools understand how to accommodate and support children with disabilities.
In addition, we prepare children for school readiness through basic learning, communication, and social skill development, enabling them to adapt more comfortably in classroom settings.
Our goal is to ensure that every child gets the opportunity to learn, grow, and be included in mainstream education, building confidence and a sense of belonging from an early age.
Home-Based Therapy and CBID (Community- Based Inclusive Development)
In 2025, we initiated a Home-Based Therapy program to reach children with severe disabilities who are unable to visit our centres regularly. Many of these children have grown in age and weight, making it physically challenging for parents and caregivers to carry them to therapy sessions.
Building on this effort, we have introduced the CBID (Community-Based Inclusive Development) initiative to ensure that support goes beyond therapy and reaches the community level. This approach focuses on inclusion, accessibility, and empowering families within their own environment.
Through home visits, our trained therapists provide physiotherapy, positioning, mobility support, and personalised exercises based on each child’s needs. At the same time, under the CBID approach, we work closely with families, community members, and local systems to promote awareness, early identification, and access to services and rights.
As of 31 March 2026, 38 caregivers were actively engaged with GRIRR, learning to continue therapy at home
Technical Skills Training
GRIRR helps young people with disabilities build skills that lead to work.
Beyond technical skills: employment counselling, exposure to job opportunities, voter awareness and financial inclusion.
Mobile and electrical repair: With support from Pumpsense Engineering, 40 young people received practical training in mobile repair and electrical work in FY 2025-26.
Computer training: 32 young people gained computer skills for education, employment and everyday life.
Job placements
Since 2015, GRIRR has helped 175 persons with disabilities find jobs. In FY 2025-26, 72 young people were trained in mobile and electrical repair (40) and computers (32)
Our future: 11,000 sq. ft.
In December 2025, GRIRR secured around 11,000 sq. ft. of land on a 30-year lease from the Kolkata Port Trust. The architectural drawing for the new centre has been completed. We plan to move into the new premises in 2028. It will help us reach many more children and take our work from the local to the regional level.
Three surgeries, three fresh starts
In FY 2025-26, GRIRR facilitated surgeries for three children with disabilities. Eight-year-old Ishika Khatoon underwent open-heart surgery at BM Birla Heart Research Hospital, and Ashar Noor and Inaya Azam underwent orthopaedic surgeries. Each child also received rehabilitation before and after surgery, because recovery is a journey, not a single moment.
GRIRR in Bihar
A growing number of children with disabilities from Bihar reach GRIRR, often travelling long distances because services are not available near their homes. Our founder, Nazim Khan, is from Bihar, and the connection is personal.
Through our association with Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital in Saran district, GRIRR conducts eye screening and supports cataract surgeries. In FY 2025-26, GRIRR carried out 435 health and eye check-ups in Bihar. These camps also help us identify children with disabilities and guide their families towards therapy, assistive devices and government entitlements.
GRIRR is working towards setting up a Day Care and Rehabilitation Centre in Saran district, Bihar, so that families do not have to travel to Kolkata for regular care.