Organisation: Alternative Realities
Country: India
website: www.karmayog.org/AR
Phone: 91
Organisation email: bharadwajtiss@gmail.com
Introduction: Alternative Realities was started in Mumbai to address issues of identity, health, livelihood and shelter for the homeless people in Mumbai. Using diverse methodologies such as street theatre, studies, survey and research, Abhishek and his volunteers sensitize the civil society towards the issue, negotiate with other organizations and institutions to use their existing infrastructure as night shelters, and arrange access to medical facilities for the homeless.
I did not look for a job after I graduated from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in 2004. Instead, spent time with homeless people who sleep on Mahim beach, in Crawford market or at Santa Cruz. Mumbai has at least 100,000 homeless people. There is not a single night shelter in all of Mumbai for the homeless.
I started a society called Alternative Realities to fight for the rights of those without shelter. Alternative Realities works in collaboration with the police, the administration and companies. The goal is to create night shelters for 10,000 people in the next one year. These shelters would be carpeted and equipped with bedding, sanitation facilities, drinking water and first aid. Alternative Realities wants to make sure that state policies provide for low cost living places within working distances. The homeless should also get healthcare and ration cards.
Contactperson: Abhishek Bharadwaj