Cheshire Home welcomes ‘dada’ (brother) who inspires all the “differently abled” residents.

Cheshire Home welcomes 'dada' (brother) who inspires all the 

"differently abled" residents.

On 3rd January 2016, Amlan Datta, a photographer from Mumbai visited Cheshire Home in 

Andheri, a home meant for the physically challenged and interacted with the residing members. 

The motives were simple—infusing a sense of hope, enlighten them with scopes that can make 

them stand at par and prove themselves equally worth dependable part of the society. 

Amlan, a Bengali from suburbs of Kolkata, West Bengal, proved it by his life in Mumbai. Since 

his teenage he has weathered the society with one leg but never made himself a subject to 

sympathy. Driven by his dreams and vision, nullifying all odds, he is one of the known field 

photographers of Mumbai, who would never falter getting the right focus even if it's a fleeting 

glance. 

He feels the pangs of the residents of Cheshire Home. He spoke to them about his life, his 

disability and his dreams. World Health Organizations estimates around 15-20% of the world's 

population deals with disability of one kind or another.  Indian government census put the 

disabled population percentage of around 2%. This is partly due to the stigma associated with 

disability. 

Amlan says that this stigma is what he has always fought against. He goes on to say 'disability is 

just a state of mind, if one believes that they are capable and put their mind to it they can achieve 

their goals. People like Stephen Hawking, Hellen Keller, Stevie Wonder, Sudha Chandran, 

Ludwig Van Beethoven, Frida Kahlo etc have all overcome disability to create a name for 

themselves in fields of art, science, music etc.  

In his interaction with the residents of Cheshire Home, Amlan noticed they have dreams to 

achieve, they have the required skills but they lack the motivation and the will power and a 

person who had achieve through the same odds can only be able to reignite hope. 

Sister Willhemien on Amlan Dutta's visit "It was and interesting experience for the residents as 

one of their own had beaten the odds placed against him by circumstances is living a full life & 

encouraging other differently abled people to do so as well" 

The Cheshire Home was founded in the U.K. by Late Captain Leonard Cheshire in the year 

1948.  In the year 1955, he started the Cheshire Home - Mumbai for the physically challenged 

men. The Home is run by a team of committed religious sisters (The Missionaries of Christ 

Jesus) supported by a committee of dedicated members and aided by a paid staff. The Home 

provides rehabilitation to around 40 male paraplegics with spinal cord injuries admitted on the 

basis of need, irrespective of caste or creed. It is here that they are encouraged to live with 

dignity and optimism. The residents in turn collaborate in the Home through their various talents 

and skills.

For donations or to volunteer or to just drop in and meet the residents at Cheshire home Address: 

Near Sacred Heart church, Mahakali Caves Rd, Subhash Nagar, Andheri East, Mumbai, 

Maharashtra 400093 Phone: +912228324515

Amlan Dutta lost his right leg in an unfortunate accident 25 years ago. Photography was his first 

love &  inspite of all the odds stacked against him Amlan proved to others that a strong will can 

overtake all obstacles. Amlan has worked with some of the finest media houses in the country 

today. Besides photography, Amlan is also a motivational speaker who champions the cause of 

differently abled people in India. Government has the act/ law in place for the disabled however 

implementation is sorely lacking in our country. One of the acts "Accessible India Campaign: 

Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 under sections 44, 45 

land 46 categorically provides for non-discrimination in transport, non-discrimination on the 

road and non-discrimination in built environment respectively. This is a fairly basic need for 20 

crore Indians (15% of India's population) or to put in perspective more than the entire population 

of neighboring Pakistan. Amlan is working on implementing the act via local government & 

municipal authorities. 

Amlan Dutta  

Address : Goregaon East, Mumbai

Contact : 9820291302

Email:  amlan.yps@gmail.com