Residential Rehabilitation for Persons with
Intellectual Disabilities
About Us
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.
Our Four Pillars
- Acquiring land and construction takes a long time. We solve this issue by taking homes on rent.
- Our aim is to empower the middle-class parents, parents’ organisations and other NGOs and corporates to start small residential homes.
- The aim is to establish a range of replicable residential homes.
In the last nine months, we have increased our capacity from 60 to 250 PwIDs.
- We have signed an MoU with the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) for recognition, affiliation and certification of our to courses;
1. Caregivers (3 months)
2. Administrators (6 months)
Training at Navkshitij - Certified caregivers will be professionally ready to offer caregiving services to PwIDs and senior citizens.
- Through our programmes, using social media, print and electronic media
- Research and publication
- Training and CRE programmes, parents, visitors
- Partnering with various stakeholders to spread awareness: parents, teachers, NGOs, corporates.
- We receive support from various corporates. Every home that we start is putup for adoption to corporates under their CSR.
- For a small home for 15 PwIDs, we require Rs 30 lakh annually.
- The home at somatane for 15 PwIDs has been adopted by MNGL.
Our Team
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Dr. C.R. Desai
President, Navkshitij
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Mr. C. E. Potnis
Vice President, Navkshitij
What We Do
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.
Quick Facts
Activities
Activities for Mental Wellness
Adventure Club
Dr. Neelima Desai Karandak
An Interschool Drama Competition
Traffic Dicipline
Parvati Hill Climbing Competition
Trekking
Street Play and Walkathon
Voice of Change
Inspiring Testimonials from Lives Transformed by Our NGO's Compassionate Support
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 ParkYou 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 CityWe 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 – SyngentaI 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, PuneVisitted 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-ChinchwadI 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 HiremathAfter 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 GermanyI 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 GermanyHome 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.
Laura Stranzl ex-Resident volunteer from GermanyNavkshitij has four centers catering to PwIDs , strategically located near Pune and Satara. These centers are situated at Marunji, Talegaon, and Somatane, each providing unique support and facilities. Additionally, there is a center in Asawali, near Satara, extending their reach and care. Together, they form a network dedicated to fostering growth and inclusion.
- 1. Navkshitij Marunji Unit
- 2. Navkshitij Aswali Unit
- 3. Navkshitij Talegaon Unit
- 4. Navkshitij Somatane Unit
Our Ongoing Project
Asawali Unit Project
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An organization set up to provide help and raise money for those in need.
Our Supporting Partners
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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