THE ORGANISATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE’ (ODP), is the Diocesan Social Service Society (DSSS) of Mysore intended for an integrated human development of the socially and economically disadvantaged, the underprivileged and the marginalized sections of Society. Inspired by Christian values of love, sharing, caring, universal brotherhood, concern for the needy, Equality, Justice and Peace, the Diocese of Mysore established and registered the Organisation (ODP) on 4th January 1984. Fr. Becket D’Souza was appointed its first secretary and Founder-Director. The Bishop of Mysore heads the Organisation as President.

Since its inception, ODP has worked towards bringing about changes in the society for better. It evokes changes in people’s unhealthy attitudes and inappropriate social value systems. ODP’s vision is just, peaceful and prosperous individuals and communities without any discrimination on the basis of caste, creed or race. Hence it provides education, brings awareness and empowers people.

ODP renders its services to all the poor, while placing more emphasis on women, small and marginal farmers, the landless and the most marginalized among the disadvantaged. In all its programs ODP gives special importance to the empowerment of women and there by enables them to come out of debilitating traditional backgrounds and assists them to silhouette an identity for themselves, for their families, and for their communities at large.

Hence ODP’s goal ‘Integrated Human Development’. In this developmental process, ODP acts as an agent that enables, encourages, and facilitates creation of active and committed leaders in the communities who are dedicated to the cause of the uplift of the downtrodden.

Through various programs, ODP strives to enable people to think about and analyse their life situations; helps them to discover their capabilities and potentialities; unites them to act collectively to resolve their problems; empowers them to make their own rational decisions which are suited to and in accordance with local conditions in a given situation; and finally guides them to become agents of their own development and growth – the masters of their own destiny.