Ms. Ani Mandangi, a resident of Karubai village in Rayagada district, Odisha, is 46 years old and has experienced significant mobility challenges since she was around 25 years old, when she experienced paralysis. The condition severely affected the mobility of her legs and gradually restricted her ability to walk and move independently. For many years, even travelling to nearby places required the assistance of her father or other family members.
Ani lived with her parents, two sisters and a brother. After her brother passed away and her sisters got married, she continued to depend primarily on her father for daily support and mobility. However, following her father’s illness and subsequent passing, she lost her primary support system. Without an appropriate mobility aid, even short-distance travel became difficult, further limiting her independence, confidence and participation in community life.
Ani’s situation was identified as part of the SBI Gram Seva Project, implemented by Prayatn Sanstha with financial support from SBI Foundation, under the project’s intervention to support Divyang persons and promote their mobility, independence and social inclusion. During a regular Gram Seva Committee (GSC) meeting, community members brought her mobility challenges to the attention of the project team. The team subsequently visited her household to understand her circumstances and assess her specific mobility needs. Following the required documentation and verification, Ani was identified for appropriate mobility support in line with her individual needs.
On 1st July 2026, on the occasion of SBI Foundation Day, eight Divyangjans were provided with battery-operated tricycles under the SBI Gram Seva Project. Ani Mandangi was one of the beneficiaries.
The battery-operated tricycle has brought a meaningful change in Ani’s daily life. Earlier, she had to depend on others even for travelling short distances. With the mobility aid, she is now able to travel independently to nearby places without regularly relying on family or community members for assistance. This has improved her mobility, strengthened her confidence and enabled her to participate more actively in everyday community life.
More importantly, the intervention has given Ani greater autonomy, dignity and freedom to decide when and where she wishes to travel. Her journey demonstrates how a community-identified need, when connected with timely and appropriate support, can contribute to greater independence and inclusion.
Through the SBI Gram Seva Project, Prayatn Sanstha and SBI Foundation continue to support inclusive development by responding to the needs of vulnerable and underserved community members. For Ani, the battery-operated tricycle is more than a mobility aid it has helped her move from dependence towards greater participation, confidence, dignity and independence.
