Chotay Taray Foundation: Transforming lives, breaking down barriers for special children
Srinagar, Aug 7: In the heart of Srinagar, away from the hustle and bustle, a quiet change has been unfolding for over two decades, where the lives of the neglected have been transformed to live a dignified life!
Chotay Taray Foundation, as its name signifies, has been taking care of “Little Stars.” The foundation has become a center of hope for differently abled children.
In an exclusive conversation with Greater Kashmir, the founder of the organization, Arjumand Makhdoomi, said that they started the organisation in 2003 along with a few like-minded people. “This non-governmental organisation has stood as Kashmir’s first major response to a growing, yet overlooked, need of support and rehabilitation for children with physical and mental disabilities,’ he said.
Elaborating, Makhdoomi said, “there was nothing, no space, no structure, no understanding.”
“People didn’t know how to help, or even if help was possible. We didn’t start this for recognition or reward. We just couldn’t accept the idea that these children were invisible to society,” recalls Makhdoomi.
He said that since the foundation’s inception, over 10,000 children have passed through the nurturing care of Chotay Taray. He said that currently, more than 100 children are enrolled, receiving round-the-clock educational and therapeutic support.
“From speech therapy to vocational training, each child is carefully assessed and placed under a customized care plan developed by a team of experts, including psychologists, physiotherapists, and special educators,” he added.
He said that the most remarkable part is that the foundation has never operated for profit. “Every effort is voluntary. We don’t take fees. We don't advertise. Yet, we’re still here at 25 years and counting,” Makhdoomi said.
Meanwhile, for parents who once felt lost and hopeless, the Foundation has become a lifeline. Some parents say that their children with major speech and other issues have seen a major change. “My child couldn’t walk properly and barely spoke. We thought he would never improve. But after enrolling here, it was like watching a miracle happen,” said a parent.
The management at the Chotay Taray Foundation said that “it isn’t just about therapy and care. It’s about dignity.’ They said the organisation’s larger mission is to ensure these children are integrated into society and not sidelined by it.
The vision was on full display on Wednesday when the foundation organised a vibrant community event on its campus. Themed around food and culture, stalls were set up by the children themselves, featuring local crafts, traditional snacks, and handmade accessories. What made the event extraordinary wasn’t just the creativity on display, but the audience, as the students from mainstream schools, parents, and residents all mingled freely.
“We wanted to break the bubble these children are usually kept in. By bringing in people from outside, from schools, we wanted to show them what these kids are capable of when given a chance.” Makhdoomi explains.
He said the need for such spaces has only grown with time. “Years of political turmoil and conflict in Kashmir have left behind more than physical and psychological scars, and they have also quietly contributed to a rise in disability cases, including children born with developmental disorders linked to prolonged stress and lack of maternal healthcare,” he added.
He said the foundation works on holistic rehabilitation and seeks to reverse the issue. He said that each child is not only nurtured physically, but also emotionally and mentally.
“Parents, too, are brought into the fold through counselling sessions, support groups, and regular workshops because healing is not individual, it’s collective,” Makhdoomi added.
The management said that in recent years, Chotay Taray Foundation has expanded its focus to include skill development for older children and young adults. They said training in tailoring, crafts, and digital skills is now part of the curriculum to nurture independence.
One of the Foundation’s long-term goals is to turn society into a partner in care. Through community mobilisation events, awareness campaigns, and school visits, the organisation is slowly chipping away at deep-rooted stigma.
“When we started, people thought having a disabled child was a curse. Today, many of those same families are the ones helping others find their way here,” said a volunteer.
“Even as the world outside continues to wrestle with divisions, Chotay Taray stands firm in its belief in compassion, inclusion, and shared responsibility.”
The Road Ahead
Makhdoomi said that the journey hasn’t been easy, and challenges remain. Yet, the foundation’s team is undeterred. He said that plans are already underway to introduce telehealth services for mental health, launch more skill development centers, and scale up livelihood support programs for families of enrolled children.
“Our dream is simple. That no child, regardless of their ability, ever feels less than another. And that our society grows big enough to hold them all, and with pride,” he added.
