Makan Singh

[S-ILF @SILFIndia]

Can education break a cycle of social stigma? 🎬✨

This Independence Day, join us in witnessing stories of hope, resilience, and transformation. Our upcoming documentary "A Future Without Stigma" highlights the lives of children from leprosy colonies moving from isolation to empowerment.

🗓️ Releasing on 15th August, 2026! Watch this space for updates.

📍 Action Point / Call to Action:
Support the Cause Today: Help us keep these children in school and pave their way toward a brighter, stigma-free future.

🔗 Donate on Ketto: https://t.co/1huWYKfuGq

#AFutureWithoutStigma #SILF #ASLC #Children #August15 #BreakTheStigma #SupportEducation #Ketto

[Piyush Rai @Benarasiyaa]

Mattoos in Gurgaon are devastated. Their only son was killed in a hit-and-run involving Thar. This "killer" machine in wrong hands is one of the biggest threats on Indian roads. Govt should intervene before more parents are left grieving like this.

[Pyara Uttarakhand प्यारा उत्तराखंड @PyaraUKofficial]

4 दिन से लापता बबीता पांडे दयारा बुग्याल ट्रेकिंग के दौरान लापता भाई ने लगाई CM धामी से गुहार 😭💔

आओ मिलकर एक पहाड़ की बेटी को ढूँडे और उसके परिवार से मिलाए ज़्यादा से ज़्यादा शेयर करे🙏 #Uttarakhand #Uttarkashi #dayarabugyal

[S-ILF @SILFIndia]

Two-day EDP workshop completed in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, with 48 prospective beneficiaries from leprosy-affected families, focusing on women empowerment.

@SILFIndia stands with people affected by leprosy and their families living in leprosy colonies, providing livelihood support so they can earn, provide for loved ones, and live with dignity. This project supports UN SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Donate: https://t.co/ysXeNPUvfD

#RestoringDignity #India #Leprosy #Livelihood #DecentWorkandEcomonicGrowth #SDG8 #UnitedNations #EndStigma #EndDiscrimination #EDP #Chhattisgarh #Raipur

[S-ILF @SILFIndia]

#Know_Leprosy_For_No_Leprosy

@SILFIndia recently conducted a college sensitisation session on “Breaking Myths: Leprosy” at College of Nursing, Mohan Dai Oswal Cancer Treatment & Research Foundation, G.T. Road, Sherpur Bye Pass, Ludhiana-141009, Punjab, engaging future nursing professionals in critical conversations on stigma and facts about leprosy.

Around 210 nursing students, faculty members and the Vice Principal participated, reflecting the institute’s commitment to inclusive, stigma-free healthcare education.

S-ILF continues to work towards mainstreaming persons affected by leprosy through awareness, education and social empowerment initiatives across India.

#RestoringDignity #India #Leprosy #Awareness #Collegesensitisation #Punjab #Ludhiana #EndStigma #EndDiscrimination #BreakingMyths

[S-ILF @SILFIndia]

#RestinPeace

The demise of our beloved Dr Derek A Lobo has saddened the whole @SILFIndia family. He was not only our Board of Trustees but our guiding force in the field of Leprosy. S-ILF will keep taking inspiration from his work towards Leprosy elimination, and he will always be in our prayers.

Rest in Peace, Dr Lobo.

[Gaurab Sen @GaurabSen]

Humbled & honored to get the recognition 🙏

[S-ILF @SILFIndia]

👁️ @Sasakawa_India, with @icarehospital, held an eye check-up camp for persons affected by Leprosy in Delhi's Tahirpur Complex.

💡 Leprosy often affects eyesight — early care matters!
This humanitarian aid effort ensures better health and restored dignity.

#RestoringDignity #KnowLeprosyForNoLeprosy #LeprosyAwareness #RestoreDignity #SILF #EyeCareForAll #InclusiveIndia #HumanitarianAid #Eyecare #Leprosy #EndStigma #EndDiscrimination

[S-ILF @SILFIndia]

@Sasakawa_India CEO Mr @GaurabSen visited leprosy colonies in Ulhasnagar & Panvel, Maharashtra with APAL President Ms Maya Ranavare.
He met livelihood beneficiaries & inaugurated a community library in Sri Ram Mandir Colony, Ulhas Nagar — a step towards helping children & youth from the colony learn and earn. 📚✨
#RestoringDignity

[S-ILF @SILFIndia]

#FieldDiaries

@Sasakawa_India CEO Mr @GaurabSen visited Anandvan Kusht Vasahat, Pune with Dr Mohan D. Gupte & Ms Maya Ranavare, Advisory Board Members, S-ILF.
They were warmly welcomed by APAL's State Leader where they met with S-ILF's livelihood beneficiaries and interacted with them.
An enriching visit in our journey of Restoring Dignity to leprosy-affected communities.

#RestoringDignity
#Education #LivelihoodMatters #SILF #Livelihood #Maharashtra

[S-ILF @SILFIndia]

#StoriesofChange
From Struggle to Stability: Mahesh’s Journey with @Sasakawa_India

Mahesh Bhuiya, a 42-year-old daily wage earner affected by leprosy, lives in the small village of Jamadoba, Dungri leprosy colony, Dhanbad in Jharkhand. Sharing a modest home with his wife, mother, three daughters, and a young son, Mahesh earned just ₹6,000 a month — barely enough to cover the family’s basic needs. His wife, a homemaker, tried her best to manage the household, but with no additional income, the family often faced difficult days, especially during illness or the monsoon season. While his daughters continued their schooling, financial hardships prevented Mahesh from enrolling his son.

Determined to break the cycle of poverty, Mahesh reached out to @Sasakawa_India (S-ILF) with a dream — to start goat farming. He hoped this venture could help him provide better for his family and offer them a more secure future.

S-ILF supported his initiative, and Mahesh began initially by purchasing goats from the local market. With dedication and patience, his efforts started to bear fruit. His goat farming business gradually grew, and today, he proudly owns a thriving herd.

Recently, Mahesh sold a few goats and earned ₹15,000 — more than double his monthly income. This financial boost brought renewed hope and joy to his family. For the first time in years, they felt a sense of security and the ability to save for the future.

Mahesh’s journey is a powerful example of how resilience, paired with the right support, can change lives. With continued effort and encouragement from S-ILF, Mahesh and his family are now walking a path toward dignity, self-reliance, and a brighter tomorrow.

#RestoringDignity
#EndLeprosy #Leprosy #EndStigma #EndDiscrimination #India #Jharkhand #Livelihood #KnowLerposyForNoLeprosy

[S-ILF @SILFIndia]

🌟 Breaking Myths, Changing Lives! 🌟

@Sasakawa_India proudly organised a sensitisation session on "Breaking Myths: Leprosy" at Sree Jeevan Jyothi Vocational Junior College, Polur, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. 🙌

🧠💡 This session empowered students and staff with facts, replacing misconceptions about leprosy with awareness and empathy. Together, we can build a world free of stigma and full of acceptance! 💕

📸 Highlights:

✨ Engaging discussions
✨ Myths debunked
✨ Community awareness boosted

Let’s stand united to fight misinformation and support those affected. 💪 Join the movement for change!

💬 Tell us: What myth about leprosy surprised you the most when you first learned the truth? Drop your thoughts below! ⬇️
#RestoringDignity #EndLeprosy #EndStigma #EndDiscrimination #BreakingMyths #LeprosyAwareness #SILF #CommunityCare #InclusionMatters #Polur #AndhraPradesh

[S-ILF @SILFIndia]

#StoriesofChange

My name is P. Kanagaraj, and my story begins in the Mother Leprosy Patients Welfare Society in Bargur, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu. I am cured from Leprosy, but growing up in a Leprosy colony was a struggle beyond the scars of the disease. Society shunned us, and opportunities were scarce. Most families in our colony relied on donations for survival, while some resorted to begging to meet their daily needs.
I was determined not to let this cycle define my family’s future. I started a small tiffin center to make ends meet, but the earnings—just ₹200-300 a month—were barely enough. As my children grew, so did my desperation to provide them a better life. I wanted them to pursue education and escape the stigma and hardships that had overshadowed my existence.
The turning point came when our colony leader introduced me to the @Sasakawa_India. Their livelihood initiatives gave me hope. With their guidance, I decided to venture into goat-rearing, a business with local demand. Though I knew little about the trade, I was determined to succeed. To share the risks and opportunities, I convinced close friends to join me. Together, we applied for S-ILF’s livelihood project.
In 2011, our proposal was approved, and we received ₹2,50,000. With this, we bought 16 goats and began our journey. Initially, we struggled with managing the animals and understanding the market, but the guidance from S-ILF proved invaluable. Over time, the demand for goat meat, especially during festivals, brought us consistent customers, even from distant places.
The business transformed my life. From a meager existence, I began earning enough to send my sons to reputed universities. Both of them completed their master’s degrees and now hold stable jobs in Bangalore—one in a pharmaceutical company and the other in an industrial firm. My daughter, too, has found happiness, married into a respectable family outside the colony.
The transformation didn’t stop at my family. Inspired by my success, other residents of the colony began pursuing self-reliance. We formed a Colony Development Fund (CDF) to support communal growth. Every month, the fund aids residents in starting their ventures, fostering a wave of empowerment. My business partners, who once begged to survive, now have thriving businesses, and their children are pursuing higher education or working in stable jobs.
Today, I own over 30 sheep, and my goat-rearing business is flourishing. Beyond financial stability, we’ve earned respect and recognition within our community. The colony that once symbolized despair now radiates hope. I often reflect on how far we’ve come—from being outcasts to dreamers with a future.

"On behalf of all of us who have benefited, I am deeply grateful to S-ILF. This livelihood initiative didn’t just give us a way to earn—it gave us dignity, dreams, and a brighter tomorrow."

This is a journey, a testament to resilience and the power of opportunities to change lives.
- P. Kanagaraj
Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu
S-ILF Livelihood beneficiary
#RestoringDignity
#Livelihood #EndDiscrimination #EndStigma #EndLeprosy #India #Successstory

[S-ILF @SILFIndia]

@Sasakawa_India held a powerful sensitisation session titled "Breaking Myths: Leprosy" at Dr. Mahalingam Institute of Paramedical Science and Research in Erode, Tamil Nadu.
Nursing students and faculty participated enthusiastically, stepping up as changemakers to spread awareness and dispel misconceptions about Leprosy.
#RestoringDignity
#BreakingMyths
#EndStigma #EndDiscrimination #EndLeprosy #Awareness #Youth #Nursing #Education

[S-ILF @SILFIndia]

On August 18th, @Sasakawa_India hosted an alumni meet for its scholars from the West Bengal region in Asansol.
It was a day of meaningful conversations with our youth ambassadors, focused on Leprosy awareness, colony challenges, and their active roles in community development.
Together, we shared a unified commitment to restoring dignity for those affected by leprosy and their families.

#RestoringDignity #YouthAmbassadors #CommunityDevelopment #EndLeprosy #EndStigma #EndDiscrimination #Leprosy #awareness #DontForgetLeprosy

[Makan Singh @makansingh]

RT @Sasakawa_India: A two-day residential Entrepreneurship Development Program was held in Asansol by @Sasakawa_India for individuals affec…

[S-ILF @SILFIndia]

Celebrated 78th Independence Day across various @sasakawa_India After School Learning Centres (ASLC)

#IndependenceDay #Education #EndLeprosy #EndStigma #EndDiscrimination #Leprosy #Children #IndianIndependenceDay #India

[S-ILF @SILFIndia]

@Sasakawa_India wishes everyone #HappyIndependenceDay2024

#EndLeprosy #EndStigma #EndDiscrimination #Leprosy #awareness #Education #livelihood #HumanitarianAid #ASLC

[Kiran Bedi @thekiranbedi]

India makes it to finals. Have a look. #OlympicGames

[Makan Singh @makansingh]

@IMinakshiJoshi I will pay my debt due to GST🙏