TRICYCLE SHOP PROJECT OF ROTARY CLUB OF POONA DOWNTOWN

The Tricycle Shop Distribution Project by the Rotary Club of Poona Downtown is an inspiring initiative under the club's Gift of Mobility program. Initiated in 2001-02 by then-President Shabbir Jamnagarwalla, the project was originally focused on assisting individuals with disabilities through initiatives like the Jaipur Foot, callipers, polio corrective surgeries, and providing sewing machines for income generation.

In 2014, the club launched the LN4 Hand project, distributing artificial prosthetic hands to those who had lost their upper limbs. Since inception we have distributed more than 10,500 hands in 71 camps held all over India.

In 2021, we introduced the Inali battery-operated prosthetic hand, distributing 1613  hands to 1552 beneficiaries till date.

The latest addition, the Tricycle Shops project, empowers differently-abled individuals to earn a livelihood while being mobile. These mobile shops enable beneficiaries to vend various items—from fruits and vegetables, snacks to stationery, general items and mobile accessories. So far, over 120 tricycle shops have been distributed. Initially it was the generosity of our club members who sponsored one or two tricycles shops each. Later Rtn. Balkrishna Karwa introduced our first major sponsor, Shri Mukund Bhavan Trust  who sponsored 20 Tricycle shops. Rtn. Jitu Mehta got us Pravin Masalewale group sponsorship of 91 tricycles in memory of their founder, Late Shri Hukamichandji Chordia, who started his business by selling masala packets on a cycle.

In collaboration with Utkarsh Apang Sanstha and Apulki Divyang Foundation, the Rotary Club of Poona Downtown identified beneficiaries from across Maharashtra. 36 tricycle shops were distributed in Pune and the tricycle shop distribution programs were held in various cities of Maharashtra, for the convenience of beneficiaries. We joined hands with various Rotary clubs in their respective cities to distribute 10 tricycle shops in Aurangabad, 6 in Ahmednagar, 6 in Satara, 10 in Nashik, 2 in Kolhapur and 13 in Solapur. Eight Tricycle shops were ‘Door Delivered’ in various villages of Vidarbha as they were too scattered to organize the distribution at one central place.

The Gift of Mobility team, driven by dedicated volunteers under the guidance of mentors Rtn. Shabbir Jamnagarwalla and Rtn. Pradeep Munot, continues to explore impactful, socially relevant projects that bring dignity and economic independence to the differently-abled community.