Residential Rehabilitation for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (PwIDs)

About Us

"A picture is worth a thousand words, goes an adage. The best description of Navkshitij lies in the smiles on the faces of our resident intellectually disabled friends. They are the true barometer of our success."

Dr. C.R. Desai, President, Navkshitij.

Home away from home for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (PwIDs)

Navkshitij is a unique residential rehabilitation home for persons with intellectual disabilities (PwIDs, or simply IDs). Where you come prepared to counter aggression or depression, you get to experience the inmates’ affection and expression of love. There’s a pervading joy that descends on you when you visit the place. The infectious smile on the IDs’ faces conveys a telling story of true happiness and joy. It’s a validation of the sense of belonging that every resident ID feels from within.

The focus of the organisation goes beyond providing a place to stay for IDs. Navkshitij offers a scalable and sustainable solution to the mammoth problem of residential rehabilitation of IDs. A training centre to generate professionally trained caregivers and centre heads is one side of the solution. Setting up a range of replicable residential rehabilitation homes is the other side of the coin.

Navkshitij is built on the following convictions:

IDs have a right to a happy and dignified life.
IDs do not feel challenged in the company of their peers.
IDs can be rehabilitated back to society, though not back to their homes.

At Navkshitij, the physical, mental and social well-being of the IDs is given equal importance.

Quick Facts

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Special Friends

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Google Ratings

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Staff Members

What We Do

Residential Workshop

Navkshitij established the first permanent residential unit in Marunji, in June 2007, where mentally challenged adults can live with their peers for their lifetime. Navkshitij has set up another residential facility at Asawali. Currently, there are 52 Friends residing at Marunji and nine at the Asawali Unit.

Activities

Activities for Mental Wellness

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Adventure Club

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Trekking

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Dr. Neelima Desai Karandak

An Interschool Drama Competition

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Parvati Hill Climbing Competition

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Street Play and Walkathon

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Traffic Dicipline

Voice of Change

Inspiring Testimonials from Lives Transformed by Our NGO's Compassionate Support

It is a pleasant change to see an organization where staff at all levels are humble and genuinely believe in service to society. They really care for the cause of the mentally challenged people, taking utmost care of them. Planning across all activities is meticulous and the meals are made as per nutritional guidelines. Navkshitij is an organization that is as professional as it is humane.

Padma Bhushan Dr Vijay Bhatkar Father of Param Computer

I have been associated with Navkshitij for many years. Desai Doctor Couple, especially Dr. Neelima, have devoted their career to the cause of betterment in life of the adult special children in our society which is very commendable. This is an understatement, because these unfortunate people have no option or alternative to look for support while they lack in the basic physical and intellectual capacities or skills to live normal life. Desais are indeed angels for them. I hope that many people from our society will understand their sacrifice for these God's Children and participate in their good work.

Mr. Sunil Vanarse Managing Director, Pune IT Park

You should see this place in person. The mentally challenged persons are very happy. You can't believe it. I couldn't believe it. The first time I wondered how I'd ever be able to interact with them. But it was pretty easy, with the staff helping. The wards here actually have a bonding with you if you visit regularly. It's amazing, this place. Hats off to the people who conceived it, the people who are running it and the people who are helping them run it.

Mr. Anirudh Deshpande MD, Amanora City

We had a great visit to Navkshitij and were able to understand more about the programs at Navkshitij and meet some of the special friends. It was truly moving and very inspiring. We thorough enjoyed the dance and particularly the cricket match!

Ms. Nicki Allit Global Head – Syngenta

I have known the Desai family for quite some time now and I had heard lots about the activities of Navkshitij from late Dr. Neelima Desai and our present founder president, Dr. Chandrasekhar Desai. It was only after joining the Board of Trustees of Navkshitij, in December 2021, that I actually got to see the tremendous efforts being put into building this organisation that works tirelessly, round the clock, for the betterment of special friends, some of whom are physically and intellectually challenged.

Mr. Anirudha Todkar Trustee, Navkshitij, and MD, MAPS Industries (I) Pvt. Ltd.

I joined Navkshitij first as honorary PRO in December 2021. I started visiting Marunji on Thursdays and got interacting with the staff and the caregivers. I realised that the caregivers are angels doing God's work. They keep our Friends happy. They truly give CARE. Every time I went back learning more about what compassion and empathy truly mean and what pure emotions are. Navkshitij is a well-oiled machine that is running smoothly on its own steam.

Prof. Smita Shetty Trustee, Navkshitij, and Professor of Management, BMCC, Pune

Visitted Navksitij, a unique institution for mentally challenged friends as chief guest of its 18th annual day. Unfortunately, the founder president Dr Neelima Desai's soul departed to her heavenly abode due to a rare disease. Her soulmate and life partner Dr. Chandrashekhar Desai is passionately and relentlessly working as the new president to make it a nodal centre for our mentally challenged friends. When these special children saluted me, I was really overwhelmed. Jay Hind!

Mr. Krishna Prakash Commissioner of Police, Pimpri-Chinchwad

I got an opportunity to participate in the 18th anniversary celebration of Navkshitij Sanstha. This organization is unique in creating joy in the lives of mentally challenged children and their parents. The next phase decided by the organization is also going to be a unique initiative. Best wishes for Navkshitij's activities. Thank you!

Dr. Rajendra Hiremath

After waiting for three long years, I could finally come back to India and visit my beloved Navkshitij family. From 2017–18, I was a volunteer, supporting the special friends in their daily lives and making handicrafts in the workshop. In 2019, I came back for a visit; now, in 2022, I am so grateful to meet them again. Nothing can describe the magical moment of coming there and the special friends calling out, “Anna Tai, Anna Tai, we missed you!”

Anna Lisa Pieper Ex-Resident volunteer from Germany

I worked in the Day School for mentally challenged kids. At the beginning of a school day, we sing a lot. After that, we do some activities with them. Some of the children thread pearls; some are able to write numbers or letters. All of them are so different and it is difficult to teach everyone the same thing. We also go outside to play and after that. We have different activities like drawing and painting.

Linn Bergmann Ex-Resident volunteer from Germany

Home for the mentally challenged. This and some more information through the website were the only things I knew about the place. At the beginning, I felt a bit uncomfortable in my skin. Now that is gone. I feel I can be myself over here. Navkshitij feels more like a real home than I would have ever expected. The life I am living feels so familiar I can hardly believe that it was for only one year.