Ashok, Mangesh and 12 others like them belong to the world of the mentally challenged. Between 10 am and 6 pm everyday, after jostling in trains, they assemble in three small rooms rented out by MHADA to the Swayam Siddha Industrial Society for the Handicapped. The society chairperson, Kalpana Joshi, distributes work to keep them employed throughout the day. ``But often, there is little to do,'' she says, ``The society was set up in 1984 by parents of the physically handicapped for economic rehabilitation of their wards. In the initial years, we met with a good response from majorcompanies who gave us enough work to keep us busy. But today we have to struggle even for a single order.''

Though there are several organisations that impart professional training to the disabled, the Swayam Siddha Society is one of the few centres that have taken up the task of providing life-long employment to them. The belief in the ``ability of the disabled'' has kept it away from fund-raising programmes and accepting donations. However, the dearth of work has forced it to employ only 14 persons at present, all of whom are trained to make office files, folders and automobile parts, but end up making bags and laundry labels to kill time.

Says Joshi, ``Another plot of land acquired at Rabale for a similar purpose is lying vacant for want of work. We have orders from Bajaj Auto, Premier Automobiles and Cox and Kings to make files and clamps but more work is needed. Our products can be compared with the best in the market and are sold at competitive rates. The aim is not only to make the inmatesfinancially independent but to keep them immersed in work and prevent their exploitation in the outside world.'' The centre provides a cocoon protecting them from the hardships outside. ``Several inmates who left us for higher paying jobs have returned complaining of the exploitation and harsh comments.''

Joshi blames the ``unsympathetic'' attitude of people towards the handicapped for the crisis. Though the Government of India equates workshops and industrial homes for the handicapped with the small scale industry, and offers several concessions to improve their lot, the ground reality presents a different picture. ``I have been running from pillar to post for the last 15 years trying to convince people that we don't need charity but work. But most of our pleas have fallen on deaf ears.''

She feels that the Government should make it mandatory for all business houses to have quotas for providing work to the handicapped. ``It should also announce management grants for centres like us so that we can employprofessional managers and supervisors in order to compete in the market.''

To avoid frustration among the inmates, Joshi is now planning to prepare and sell eatables. ``We want ancillary units, educational institutions and offices to give us orders not only for stationery but also assembly and dismantling work. We can also do with old magazines and newspapers. And last but not the least, voluntary work will be greatly appreciated not only here but other places in the city where a lot of good work has to be stalled for lack of funds.''

In the meantime, the machines in the three rooms lie idle. Shailesh Thorat, too ill to travel independently, waits for his mother to come and pick him up. ``I am a good tabla player and have also accompanied Bhimsen Joshi on a concert. Let me know if you have any offers for programmes,'' says Ashok revealing no trace of his handicap. As if on cue, Mangesh breaks into a song, `Hum honge kaamyaab' waiting for yet another day to find his place in the sun.

Forinquiries contact: Swayam Siddha Society for the Handicapped, Shop no, 3, 4 and 5, Behind Mahesh Wines, Chembur-Govandi Road, Chembur, Mumbai-71; Telephone: 551 5081