Awards
Navkshitij is gaining recognition from many quarters. In the last fifteen years, we have received twenty-five awards. The most significant to date is the Excellence Award bestowed by Autism Connect Neuro Gen, Mumbai, in 2018, for outstanding contribution in the field of Special Education. The award was received at the hands of the Hon Minister for Social Justice, Mr Rajkumar Badole.
- Dr Neelima Desai was honoured with the Excellence Award by Autism Connect & Neuro Gen, Mumbai, in 2018 for Outstanding contribution in Special Education. She received the award from the Minister for Social Justice, Hon Shri Rajkumar Badole.
- Vishwa Jagriti Mission Trust gave " Punyadham Award 2015 " to Dr. Neelima Desai for her valuable contribution in the social work. The award ceremony was took part at the Convention Hall of Punya Dham Ashram on the International Women’s Day on 8th March 2015 . This award was given from the hands of Mataji.
- On December 26, 2015, Dr. Neelima Desai, Founder President and MD of Navkshitij, was honoured by the Sakal Social Foundation and Gurunanak Foundation with an award for her contribution towards social service.
- Mr. Santosh Munde, our special educator, was conferred the Best Teacher’s Award by the Rotary Club of Gandhi Bhavan. Dr. Neelima Desai received the Pune Abhiman Award from the Rotaract Club of Pune Sports City for her contribution to society.
- Honored with the Vocational Excellence Recognition Award (VERA) by the Rotary Club of Pune Horizon for excellence in rehabilitation of mentally challenged persons. Dr. Neelima Desai received the Women Achiever’s Award from JSPM Group of Institutes, Pune, on International Women’s Day. Dr. Neelima Desai was felicitated by the HRDW section of IIMS, Hinjewadi, Pune.
- Dr. Neelima Desai was felicitated by Shiv Pratap Pratishthan, Pune, for her commitment to teaching / training mentally challenged persons, on the occasion of Teacher’s Day.
- Navkshitij was one of 25 non-governmental organizations selected for a cash award by Suryakant Pawar Foundation. Vocational Excellence Recognition Award (VERA) presented by the Rotary Club of Pune Riverside for excellence in the field of rehabilitation of mentally challenged persons.
- Dr Neelima Desai was felicitated by Ms Mukta Tilak, the Mayor of Pune, on behalf of the Pune Municipal Corporation, on the occasion of Independence Day 2018. She was earlier felicitated by Ms. Rajlaxmi Bhosale, the Mayor of Pune, in 2008.
List of Awards since 2004
Recognition and awards
| Sr. No. | Name of Award | Bestowed by | Year | In recognition of... | Unique activities Started |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Enduro 3 Endurance Adventure Race | NECC-NEF Enduro3, Pune | 2004 | Eldest participant to complete the Enduro 3 Endurance Adventure Race | Organised Pune – Lonavala walkathon for 27 special friends above 12 years of age 64 km I 3and ½ days - 2003 Jungle treks, Seashore treks, Monsoon treks, Jal Dindi, Moonlight walks on full moon days and treks in the Himalayan region, monthly treks - 2004 |
| 2. | Samaj Gaurav Award | Lion’s Club West, Pune | 2006 | Relentless services in the field of rehabilitation of mentally challenged | Navkshitij Adventure Club started in 2006 exclusively for MCF (above 12 years of age) from all schools for special children in Maharashtra. High altitude treks in Himalayas started - 2006 |
| 3. | Adarsh Mata Puraskar | Ninad Foundation, Pune | 2006 | Special recognition for relentless services in the field of rehabilitation of mentally challenged | 1. Holiday Home for MCF, where parents of other MCF can leave their ward for a short time started from 2007. 2. Traffic awareness program - Working with the traffic police to instil Traffic Discipline (a monthly event) started from 2007. |
| 4. | Felicitation | Pune City District Congress Committee | 2008 | Unique and innovative contribution to society | Annual Natya Mahotsav started from 2008 (Drama competition) for all the schools for MCF in Pune. |
| 5. | Felicitation | Birla Cements’ Annual Dealers Meet | 2008 | Relentless services in the field of rehabilitation of mentally challenged | Annual inter school Parvati climbing competition started from 2009. |
| 6. | Cash Award for Navkshitij | Suryakant Pawar Foundation, Pune | 2010 | Unique contribution to society | Street paly and walkathon started – 2010 Visit and stay in residential homes in England to understand their work culture. |
| 7. | Cash Award for Navkshitij | Pune Sanskruti Pratishthan | 2010 | Innovative contribution to society | Innovative contribution to society |
| 8. | VERA Award | Rotary Club of Poona Riverside | 2010 | Vocational Excellence Recognition Award | We started involving our resident special friends in performing regular daily chores at Navkshitij |
| 9. | Felicitation | Shivpratap Pratishthan, Pune | 2011 | Commitment to teaching/training | Setu – Initiative to visit other organization working in the same field started in 2011. |
| 10. | Felicitation | Lions Club International | 2011 | Innovative contribution towards rehabilitation of mentally challenged | Annual Sibling conference started from 2011. |
| 11. | Women Achiever’s Award | JSPM Group of Institutes, Pune | 2012 | Innovative contribution to society | Special friend’s evening snacks in Hotel started |
| 12. | Felicitation | HRDW section of IIMS, Hinjawadi, Pune | 2012 | Unique and innovative contribution to society | Exchange Program between Navkshitij and other NGOs working in the field of rehabilitation of MCF started from 2012. |
| 13. | VERA Award | Rotary Club of Pune Horizon | 2012 | Vocational Excellence Recognition Award | Monthly Newsletter Voice of Navkshitij Started |
| 14. | Pune Bhushan Award | Rotaract Club of Pune | 2013 | Significant contributions to a social cause | Caregiver course started in 2013. |
| 15. | Swami Vivekanand Gaurav Puraskar | Sai Pratishthan | 2013 | Significant contribution to a social cause | Caregiver award started in Shrimati Jayashri Vasant Dikshit and Dr.Vasant Vishavnath Dikshit 2013 |
| 16. | VERA Award | Rotary Club of Pune Central | 2014 | Vocational Excellence Recognition Award | Second residential unit started - 2014 |
| 17. | Lokmat Sakhi Award | Lokmat | 2014 | Dedicated service and transparent running of an NGO | Clean Village Campaign since 2014. |
| 18. | Punyadham Award 2015 | Vishwa Jagriti Mission Trust | 2015 | Virtuous contribution to the city of Pune | Early intervention and special school started 2015 |
| 19. | Sakal Social Foundation and Gurunanak Foundation Award 2015 | Sakal Social Foundation and Gurunanak Foundation | 2015 | Unique and innovative contribution to society | Work on Operation Manual started |
| 20. | Felicitation | Bhagini Divedita Pratishthan, Pune | 2016 | Significant contribution to a social cause | Day workshop for Autistic friends started 2016 |
| 21. | Felicitation on the occasion of International Women's Day | Terapanthi | 2017 | Significant contribution to a social cause | Annual meeting with trustees of other residential homes for mentally challenged friends 2017 Day outing for Day School and Autism unit started 2017 Core group meeting of parents and sibling started 2017 Special friend from each home appointed as a Caregiver assistant - 2017 Operation Manual – English edition published |
| 22. | Felicitation on the occasion of Independence Day by Pune Mayor | Pune Municipal Corporation | 2018 | Significant contribution to a social cause in Pune city | Sports Day for special friends and staff members started |
| 23. | Felicitation | Surydatta Institutes, | 2018 | Significant contribution to a social cause (rehabilitation of mentally challenged) | Navkshitij book publication penned by Dr. Neelima Desai - 2018 |
| 24. | Excellence Award | Autism Connect & Neuro Gen, Mumbai by hands of social justice minister Badole | 2018 | Outstanding contribution in Special Education | Operation Manual – Marathi edition published |
| 25. | Felicitation and Award | Akhil Bharatiya Brahman Samaj | 2019 | Significant contribution to a social cause (rehabilitation of mentally challenged) | Standard Operation Process completed |