Voluntary Medicare Society (VMS), Srinagar, has brought laurels to Jammu & Kashmir by winning four major awards at SAMAGAMA 2025, a flagship event organised by Enable India under the Rural Livelihood Mission (Garv Se) program. The three-day event, held from 6th–8th August 2025 in Bengaluru, witnessed the participation of 100+ representatives from 40 partner organisations and 10 potential new partners across 10 states and 2 union territories, all working towards strengthening livelihoods for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

SAMAGAMA, celebrated annually, serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and collective outcomes of the Garv Se program. The event sparked meaningful conversations around inclusive livelihoods, inspiring trust, igniting ideas, and driving change for the empowerment of PwDs.

As a partner organisation of Enable India, VMS has established a Garv Se Center in Kashmir, which acts as a nodal hub to strengthen the livelihood ecosystem for PwDs. The center works in close collaboration with stakeholders including government offices, NGOs, educational institutions, skilling partners, volunteers, and parents of PwDs. Through this initiative, 95 PwDs have been trained and 75% of them successfully settled with sustainable livelihood opportunities across districts like Kulgam and Baramulla, enabling them to earn with dignity and self-reliance.

In recognition of its outstanding efforts, VMS was honored with four awards at the SAMAGAMA Award Ceremony in the presence of over 225 delegates:

1. Best Garv Se Center Officer Award – awarded to Mr. Ishfaq Ahmad Shah, Project Coordinator, Garv Se VMS Center.

2. Best Enabler Committee Award – awarded to VMS for its strong enabler committees in Kulgam and Baramulla.

3. Entrepreneur with Disability (EwD) Award – to Mr. Gulzar Ahmad Bhat, a person with dwarfism, who has successfully established his livelihood under the program.

4. Entrepreneur with Disability (EwD) Award – to Mr. Sabzar Ahmad Laway, a person with locomotor disability, recognized for his entrepreneurial journey within just two years of association with the program.

The awards were received on behalf of VMS by Prof. Masooda Yasin, Vice President, VMS, while the awardees were felicitated amidst resounding applause from the national audience.

Speaking on the achievement, Prof. Masooda Yasin said, “This recognition is a proud moment for Jammu & Kashmir. The success of our Garv Se Center reflects the dedication of our team, the resilience of our PwD entrepreneurs, and the collective support of all stakeholders working towards inclusive livelihoods.”

The recognition at SAMAGAMA 2025 not only highlights the commitment of VMS in empowering PwDs but also positions Jammu & Kashmir as a model region for inclusive livelihood practices under the Garv Se program.