“Everyone needs work for hands, thoughts for mind and compassion at heart.”
— Harishchandra Sude, Founder GSP
Early Life and Education
Mr. Harischandra Sude’s journey is a testament to resilience and determination. Born in a humble family, he faced significant challenges from an early age, including partial blindness. Despite these obstacles, he pursued his education with fervor, working under the earn and learn scheme in very difficult conditions. He completed his post-10th education from Udayagiri Mahavidyalaya, Udgir, inspired by the guidance of Dr. N.Y. Dole Sir.
Initial Steps in Social Work
In 1978, Mr. Sude moved to Pune, where he came under the tutelage of senior social activists such as Hon. Yadunathji Thatte, Dr. Dadasaheb Gujar, and Hon. Baba Adhaav. Under their guidance, he began working on education initiatives for out-of-school children and slum improvement and rehabilitation projects. His work in rehabilitating a slum in
In 1978, Mr. Sude moved to Pune, where he came under the tutelage of senior social activists such as Hon. Yadunathji Thatte, Dr. Dadasaheb Gujar, and Hon. Baba Adhaav. Under their guidance, he began working on education initiatives for out-of-school children and slum improvement and rehabilitation projects. His work in rehabilitating a slum in Hadapsar, Pune, was particularly notable and marked the beginning of his lifelong commitment to social service.
Establishing Grameen Shramik Pratishthan
Driven by a desire to prevent migration to urban areas and address the issues faced by the rural underprivileged, Mr. Sude left his teaching job in Pune and moved to Latur in Marathwada. In 1981, he founded the organization 'Grameen Shramik Pratishthan' (GSP). His initial work focused on supporting deprived and marginalized groups such as landless farm laborers, vagabonds, women, and backward classes.
Advocacy and Public Education
In the early years of GSP, Mr. Sude organized a massive struggle involving 10,000 people to secure land rights under the Gairan and Kulkayda schemes. He conducted extensive public education campaigns to create pressure on public organizations and administration, advocating for the rights of the rural poor.
Swadhar Rehabilitation Center
In 1984, Mr. Sude established the Swadhar Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities. Through tireless hard work and determination, he proved the concept of complete rehabilitation for the rural blind. The Swadhar Center provided business skills training, employment opportunities, and further social rehabilitation, including marriage and housing. A separate project of complete rehabilitation was developed at Budhoda.
Employment Initiatives
Recognizing the need for stable employment, Mr. Sude set up a handloom center where currently 35 blind weavers are employed. This center recycles millions of old sarees into beautiful Satranjis (Mats), yoga mats, asanas, providing employment while contributing to environmental conservation. The concept that blind people should not take from society but become competent citizens who give to society is central to the training provided at Swadhar Kendra.
Marriages of PwD’s
By marrying 60 blind couples, Mr. Harischandra Sude has consistently demonstrated that visually impaired individuals have the right to lead lives like others in society. He provided comprehensive support, including counseling and financial assistance for wedding ceremonies. This initiative has fostered self-respect and dignity among the visually impaired, creating a supportive community network. Through public awareness campaigns, he has also worked to combat societal stigma, advocating for the acceptance and inclusion of differently-abled individuals.
Modern Training Programs
Mr. Sude established a state-of-the-art training center for acupressure and massage at Budhoda, providing modern skills and better livelihood opportunities to the blind. This training is offered in a scientific and simple manner, completely free of charge. Blind youths from all over Maharashtra come to take this training, with more than 400 blind youth from 27 districts of Maharashtra benefiting from the program.
Commitment to Health and Naturopathy
Health problems due to modern lifestyle diseases became a serious concern for Mr. Sude. Resolving to serve the public, he pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Naturopathy and Yoga Sciences (BNYS) at the age of 68. After completing his degree, he started the 'Manav Vedana Mukti Kendra' in collaboration with his blind colleagues. This naturopathy center, run entirely by visually impaired doctors, offers low-cost treatments and has rejuvenated the health of many patients with chronic diseases.
