In August 1994, Suren meets a boy (10) who can not read and write. He can not even write his name. The boy is studying in V grade. Suren does not understand what is wrong with the child; but it is interesting as he feels the boy is very intelligent Suren makes him write his name in 20 days. Shocks the parents of the boy and so they decide to pull him out of school and put him in Suren’s small factory for further training…

Suren meets Dr.P.Prakash, Dept., of Psychology, University of Mysore, discusses the boy’s problems and understands the boy is a ‘dyslexic’. Dr.PP encourages Suren to continue the work with the boy. Suren collects a lot of literature on Dyslexia and studies. Dr.PP and Dr.G.Jayarama assess the problem of the child and declares him Learning Disabled. Suren develops many techniques to solve the reading & writing problems of the child (December, 1995).

Four more children are pulled out of schools and sent for training at Suren’s small factory. Suren understands that there are many children with Learning Disability and no one knows what is wrong with them He takes it as a challenge to solve their problems and decides to dedicate his life to their cause. He understands a non - profit - team approach would yield good results Ms.Kamalakshi Irani joins him as a teacher.

Suren decides to close down his factory and dedicate himself to Learning Disability. Started teaching English language to earn his living. Registered a non govt., organisation(NGO) called Samveda Training & Research Centre after mustering support from his friends. Mrs. Ambika Suren, appreciates the decision and supports the non-profit work (1996-97).

Begins charging Rs.200/- ($5)per month as special tuition fee per child. Earnings from English Classes helpes sustain. Samveda and some furniture and stationary is bought. Number of children increase and felt the need of more teachers (1997-1998).

The first batch of Samveda Students appear for the X Grade public exam! All students get through the exam! Though school teachers come to know of the success, they does not respond and more students join Samveda and more untrained teachers join. Increases yearly tuition fees to Rs. 3500/-. (1998-99).

Samveda satisfies Parents’ expectations. Donors come forward to donate in cash and kind. Parents start donating little by little. Samveda increases the yearly fees to Rs.4000. Can not manage monthly expenses. Many ideas for remedial teaching are shelved due to lack of funds. K.Sowmya joins Samveda in 1997-98.

Samveda starts a hostel for children with Learning Disability (the first of its kind in India). Mrs. Ambika Suren takes the responsibility of being the Warden of the hostel. Children with LD create nightmares to warden, care givers and cooks. Samveda staff learns to handle children in the hostel.

Unable to employ good candidates due to lack of funds. Those who are willing to serve does not possess the right qualifications, and skills. Those who are good and really contributing are not paid reasonable salaries. New parents hesitate to approach us and old parents appreciate our work
The GOOD WILL increases. Donors come forward to donate in cash and kind. (1999-2000)

A lot of Awareness building activities are done. Many news paper and magazine articles are written and published. Recognising the efforts, the ministry of Human Resources Development awards a research grant. Samveda successfully completes the research project and proves 83% of primary school teachers in India does not know what Learning Disability is? Developes Kannada Language Remedial programme. Starts designing Samveda Remedial Teaching Model. Suren and Dr.PP writes an Introductory guide on Learning Disability (2000-02).

Suren joins a post graduate course in Psychology. Understands Cognitive Psychology is the basis on which Samveda Remedial Teaching Model (SRTM) must be developed. To stimulate cognition in children a whole set of new lesson plans were developed. Give Foundation comes forward to support Samveda
Samveda self sustains, but struggles due to lack of funds (2003).

International volunteers come to Samveda from Spain and Russia to help. Samveda increases annual tuition fees to Rs.6000/-. Feels the need of a specially designed campus to train children with LD, remedial teachers, researchers dedicated to LD Understands that a focused Behavioural and Emotional Program must be a component of SRTM. Struggles to employ the ‘right’ kind of people due to lack of funds (2002-04).

Understands such candidates were in scarce, So decides to develop remedial teachers. Teacher Training Program was designed. Unable to run the program due to lack of infrastructure and funds. Restricts to in-house training of remedial teachers. Becomes a member of Credibility Alliance. Dr.Maltesh Joshi, Secretary, International Dyslexia Association, Washington, visits Samveda (2004-06).

Due to lack of infrastructure and funds Samveda’s growth cripples. Can not increase fees as it pinches the purse of the parents. Spends most of the revenue to pay rents, electric bills, telephone charges, traveling and salaries so can not develop infrastructure. Can not increase the services, due to lack of funds, lack of trained remedial teachers, lack of good candidates for teacher training program.

Can not develop many remedial programs due to lack of funds. Can not computerise many ideas due to lack of funds. Can not develop the special campus due to lack of funds (2006). The “can nots” can not stop Samveda’s work with children with Learning Disability. Whatever that is available is utilized to the optimum. Self sustenance – Growth – Fund Raising.

Development are important indicators of a successful NGO. The Samveda Philosophy protects the NGO and its activities. Churning fun, smiling all the way and making children with LD successful continues irrespective of the funds crunch, lack of facilities, lack of trained remedial teachers.