The founder of SODARA, Bro. Jose Daniel is well-known for his valuable contribution as a teacher and principal in some of the leading educational institutions in India. He integrated social service with formal education with the involvement of the staff, students, parents and public, especially in Nalgonda District, India. His novel methods, especially the remedial teaching and group study system were adopted by the Government’s education department in the District. He belongs to the Religious Congregation of the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel that runs about 120 prestigious academic educational institutions, 15 Govt. recognised technical institutions, schools and colleges for the hearing impaired and the blind; orphanages, homes for the old aged and social service centres covering about 20 States in India. Inspired by Vatican Council II he was one of the pioneers who tried and succeeded in legislating concrete measures in the Congregation in India to express greater concern for the poor through these institutions. However, a few of them who had still greater vision for the emancipation and empowerment of the poorest sections launched various movements and non-institutionalised social action programmes with the full concurrence of the Congregation.

SODARA is one such movement that came into existence with Bro. Jose Daniel’s passionate commitment to the liberation of the Dalits, Tribals, Slum Dwellers and other weaker sections. He gave up his most successful and promising career in the formal education system tofully involve himself in his non-institutionalised mission in the villages and slums. Fully realising that thedenial of Scheduled Caste reservation to the 20 million Dalit Christians who form about 70% of the Christian population in India has been a discrimination parallel to apartheid policy and against the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the provisions of the Constitution of India, he led the biggesthistoric ecumenical movement for a social cause in India through All India United Christians Movement for Equal Rights (AIUCMER) and National Coordination Committee for Scheduled Caste Christians NCCSCC). He was also the 1st Vice President of CHAI (Catholic Health Association of India with above 3000 Member Institutions), National Secretary the FORUM (Forum of Religious for Justice and Peace), Secretary of the SC ST OBC Commission of the AP Bishops’ Conference apart from being the Local Superior, Director and Principal of educational institutions. The perspectives under SODARA vision and mission statements in this website impelled the founder and his associates at the grass-roots to start the dynamic movement of SODARA on 02 October 1988 for the emancipation and empowerment of the most marginalised sections of the society enabling themexperience the Christian and humane concern, compassion, love, respect, equality, universal brotherhood/sisterhood, social justice and secure their human dignity and human and constitutional rights. SODARA is committed to national integration, communal harmony and non-violence and to serve all sections, especially the last, least and lost ones among them without any discrimination on the basis of religion, region, gender, language etc. SODARA became a legally registered Society under the Registration of Societies Act 1350 Fasli vide Registration No. 2671 of 1988 at Hyderabad, erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh (Now Telengana), India on 25th October 1988 with All India Jurisdiction for its activities. SODARA is a fully entitled legal entity with all the required Government permissions and recognition including the authorisation to receive foreign contributions.

SODARA has also obtained Income Tax exemptions under 12AA (1)(b)(i) of the Income Tax Act 1961 to utilise the funds and under 80G (5)(vi) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 to receive funds that will be counted as Income Tax paid as per law. SODARA has been accorded Government PAN (Permanent Account No.) Card. Special compliments to Mr. Christopher Joseph, Treasurer and Veeraji P Israel for updating all the requirements. With a population of 1.3 billion people of diverse cultures, languages; religions etc. (Hinduism: 80.5%, Islam: 13.8%, Christianity: 2.4%, Sikhism: 1.9%, Buddhism: 1.5%, Jainism: 0.4% etc.) India has the highest no. of hungry stomachs in the world counting about 200 millions inspite of other glorious facts and history on the front page. Unfortunately, for the outside world, India is almost a developed country with its advancement in science and technology. But the grass-root realities do not concur. With the globalisation about 5% of the population have become extraordinarily and internationally rich while probably another 25% have dramatically improved their socio-economic status being at above middle or at middle class levels. But an unofficial figure of 40% continues at below poverty line hardly able to secure the minimum basic needs for survival. The living condition of another 30% above poverty line is also difficult. Village economy has been shattered with failure of agriculture and migration. After the introduction liberalisation, an unofficial figure of about 400.000 committed suicide due to unpayable agricultural debts with the failure of agriculture. The globalisation process with its profit-focussed market economy make survival of the lowest strata most difficult. Often, corruption blocks Government welfare schemes reach intended beneficiaries. Survival drive forces migration to cities/towns, finally expanding the slums. Women and children are the most exploited group. Addiction to alcoholism in addition to semi starvation brings disharmony to family life. It is in this context, the teeming numbers of victims do need genuine and committed service for their survival and dignified life. We need to join the national efforts for their amelioration in the background of the Constitution of India that declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, assuring its citizens of justice, equality, and liberty, and endeavours to promote fraternity among them. SODARA has been trying to render its selfless service inspite of its financial strains. It has the following selfless social workers as its executive committee members. President: Bro. Jose Daniel, Secretary: Veeraji P Israel, Treasurer: Mr. Christopher Joseph, Members: Md. Fasiuddin, B.E., Ms. Rani Maria, S. Bhagyamma and Mr. M. Solomon Raju. One way of expressing your solidarity is to generously donate to SODARA to make SODARA’s dedicated services to reach more and more deserving brothers and sisters in need.