Running head: MY TRIBUTE TO SANTHI MANDIRAM 1

My Tribute to Santhi Mandiram

Research Proposal

Elsa Babu

WRIT 3315

Professor Leticia French

10/26/2017
 MY TRIBUTE TO SANTHI MANDIRAM 2

Contents
My Tribute to Santhi Mandiram ..................................................................................................... 1

Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 3

Background and significance .......................................................................................................... 4

Preliminary Suppositions and Implications .................................................................................... 5

Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................... 6

References ....................................................................................................................................... 7
 MY TRIBUTE TO SANTHI MANDIRAM 3

Introduction

New York Times author and speaker Mandy Hale (2013) said there is nothing more

beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others. This is

where nonprofit organization comes in. They establish in the heart of people by doing great

things to happen in our society that would otherwise be left undone. My research will contribute

to the development of the nonprofit organization named Santhi Mandiram, which started in India

on 19th January, 2003 with an aim to help the mentally ill and homeless people who were

wandering in the streets of India.

The mission of this organization is to provide medical attention and decent life to people

who are discarded by society due to various reasons. The empirical focus of this research will be

in studying the major problem faced by this organization, which is lack of donations, and how to

solve it. With respect to the nature of this project, I believe this research is very important

because most people tend to show less affection to mentally ill fellow beings. My interview with

the director of this organization, C. Somon, said, It is hard to publicize the activities they do

because society is not as interested in spending money for mentally ill people as it is for some

sexier causes like diseases or animal rescue (personal communication, September 18, 2017 ).

There are various methods by which I can analyze this research. There is a very good

website that explains the history and the activities regarding this organization. In addition,

interviewing the members and the director of this organization provides me with enough

information about the problems that they face. This research is very important as there isnt

anything much that the government do for the mentally ill people in India. With the information I

gathered, it is a fact that these people are given treatments and counseling and many of them are

fully cured of their illness.

 MY TRIBUTE TO SANTHI MANDIRAM 4

Background and significance

Though there are many well established charity organizations helping thousands of

people, only few of them reach out to help those who are considered mentally ill. Studies have

shown that people with mental health problems get better and many recover completely if special

care is given (Satheesh, 2013). A countrywide National Institute of Mental Health and

Neurosciences (Nimhans) study has revealed a shocking prevalence of mental illness in India. At

least 13.7 per cent of Indias general population has been projected to be suffering from a variety

of mental illness and 10.6 per cent of this requires immediate intervention (Kamath, 2016, p.1).

Due to the stigma attached with mental disorders, nearly 80 percent of the people suffering from

mental illness have not received any treatments despite being afflicted by illness for over 12

months (Kamath, 2016, p.1). This is where the importance of this organizations comes in. It is

very necessary to support this organization and that can be done by analyzing the problems by

doing research.

The major problem I will be working on is lack of donation. In order to raise funds, the

society should be aware of the organization. Gaining trust and supporters is definitely a

substantial factor when we need volunteers to work for the organization. There are several

methods by which I believe this organization can publicize their activity. Based on my interview

with the director, it is clear that Santhi Mandiram is not involved in any social media. Social

media has become an instrument to accelerate the process of change where it promotes social

awareness and advertising in the society (Chauhan & Shukla, 2016). As advertising mirrors the

society, it strongly captures the changing social mores and reflects them through various media

(Chauhan & Shukla, 2016).

 MY TRIBUTE TO SANTHI MANDIRAM 5

I would like to conduct my research in various topics. This can be done only by

approaching the issues through various steps. At step 1, I will collect data from all the sources

and build a timeline of what had occurred in the past. This can give me a clear picture of what

method this organization has taken for improving their standard and what not. Since, Santhi

Mandiram is in India, my step 2 will be to figure out the most widely used social media in that

country. The major drawback of this organization is that it has got less popularity among people.

Social media can definitely help others to know more about the organization and their mission.

Step 3 will be to communicate with a well-established organization that is very popular and

successful. This organization can be considered as a great source because they can help me with

providing tips and insights into everything on how to be more successful. Step 4 is to implement

all the information I have gathered into action. This will include creating an account for Santhi

Mandiram in social media, using flyers and brochures to be sent to international organizations,

and plenty more. Though my research will focus mainly on the problem I have stated, there are

plenty other problems this organization faces. Lack of resources and a proper building are few

among those. But I would like to focus my study only on the major issue and how to solve them.

Preliminary Suppositions and Implications

The practices of fundraising are a vital part of the achievements of any non-profit

organizations and that is my goal. I strongly believe that my research can help Santhi Mandiram

to get professionalized to become more efficient. My research could benefit at least few of the 64

patients who need special attention and care. This in turn can inspire people to create more and

more organizations like this and help people who are in need. In addition, I think that Santhi

Mandiram will end up doing activities that enhances their role in the society by conducting

various programs and actively participate in social media. Few activities that Santhi Mandiram
 MY TRIBUTE TO SANTHI MANDIRAM 6

does includes hospital ministry, ambulance service, medical camp, and medical checkup. Usage

of social media and posting updates on it will certainly help people to study Santhi Mandirams

activities and thus lift them up from their economic crisis. With the help of my project, the

organization will get to know the importance of broadcasting their effort in front of people.

Through the help of my project, people will get to know some of the problems faced by mentally

ill people from multiple perspectives. Feedbacks at the end of my research can be of great help

for the subsequent research that could arise from the potential outcomes of my project. Just like

Reisz (2016) says adopting the general principle that its good to talk can often have

unexpected benefits. My interview with the director also helped to analyze the various

drawbacks this project might have so that I could prepare ahead to face all the impacts.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that this research proposal is very necessary as its intention is to help

an organization that helps the mentally ill people from being avoided. With this research, we are

respecting the efforts made by few people who take care of their mentally ill fellow beings. Once

this project is done, the major issue and the way to remedy it will be known to the members of

Shanthi Mandiram. This in turn can help them to move on with a more efficient way of working.
 MY TRIBUTE TO SANTHI MANDIRAM 7

References

Chauhan, G. S. & Shukla, T. (2016). Social media advertising and public awareness: Touching

the LGBT chord. Journal of International Women's Studies, 18(1), 145-155. Retrieved

from http://vc.bridgew.edu/jiws/vol18/iss1/11

Hale, M. (2013, August 13). The single women: life, love, and a dash of sass. Simon & Schuster

Kamath, V. (2016, October 12). 13.7% Indians are mentally ill, study says - Times of India.

thetimesofindia.com. Retrieved from

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/13-7-Indians-are-mentally-ill-20study-

says/articleshow/54805096.cms

Reisz, M. (2016, January 06). How to make an impact with your research in the workplace.

timeshighereducation.com. Retrieved from

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/how-make-impact-your-research-workplace

Satheesh, A. (2013, March 12). Recovery is possible. Mentalhealth.gov. Retrieved from

https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/recovery/index.html