IAS Snehil Kumar Singh belongs to 2016 batch, Kerala cadre and is currently posted as district collector of Kozhikode, Kerala. Known for his determination Snehil has Previously held several key positions in government.

Regarding his vision for Kozhikode ,Snehil’s dream project focuses on uplifting the differently-abled community, with the goal of making the district a fully differently-abled-friendly district.

Kozhikode ranked second among the districts in Kerala with the highest number of differently-abled individuals as per 2015 Kerala Disability Survey. Recognizing the urgent need for systematic support, Snehil launched an initiative by the name of “Sahamithra” .The initiative focuses on providing a Unique Disability ID (UDID) card to all differently-abled individuals. “Differently-abled individuals need the disability ID card, which serves as official recognition to access any government benefits,” he explained. “In Kozhikode, we encountered many people whose UDID cards were either not issued or needed updating.”

The UDID card is a primary document required for accessing reservation and ration benefits. "Our target is to ensure that 100 percent of differently-abled individuals in Kozhikode receive their UDID cards," he explained. "This is a long-term process, involving the collection of all necessary documents, completing applications, and obtaining a Medical Board certificate. Doctors assess each individual’s type of disability, which is then verified by a panel."

To facilitate the initiative, Anganwadi workers and college interns/volunteers were involved “We assigned volunteers to specific gram panchayats and identified differently-abled individuals in each area and physically circulated the forms” , he added.

Under Snehil’s leadership a total of 56,671forms were collected with 34,988 approved so far. Of the remaining applications, 10,072 require Medical Board certification. "The next step is to conduct Medical Board camps," he noted. "Within 1-1.5 months, we aim to reach a stage where everyone who needs a Medical Board certificate or UDID card is accommodated. The first camp is scheduled for November 29, 2024."

In connection with this, Snehil also aims to introduce an early intervention program for disabilities. "Early intervention can make a significant difference; it can truly change a person’s life," he explained. "For example, if we identify an autistic child early and provide the right treatment, they can go on to thrive alongside others in society."

To support this, an app is being developed for parents of children who need early intervention. Once parents are informed about their child’s needs, they will receive an account on the app, which will track their upcoming appointments and list any recommended exercises to complete beforehand. Additionally, instructional videos in the local language are also being made available on YouTube to guide these exercises. “We’re launching this app soon," he shared. "The goal is to ensure that all children enrolled in early intervention can effectively track their progress and improvements.”