A brief overview of the intellectually disabled (ID) population globally, particularly in India, highlights the enormity of this challenge. The issue extends beyond the individuals affected—it has far-reaching societal implications. While accurate and comprehensive statistics are lacking, estimates suggest that one to two per cent of India’s population is intellectually disabled. In absolute numbers, this […]

THE series of blogs will be inconclusive and open-ended without an action plan or a strategy to deal with the issue of rehabilitation of IDs. The strength of a chain is only as good as the strength of its weakest link. Today, rehabilitation of IDs is the weakest link of our society. I am sure […]

OFTEN, I am accused of being conservative and overprotective of our special friends. As a parent, I confess I stand guilty. Which parent would wilfully want to throw his/her intellectually disabled child into a fiercely competitive world, especially if he/she has to compete with normal people? I have quite a different take on it; others […]

THE meaning of abnormal is “different from what is usual”. In the language of mathematics, abnormal is something that falls beyond 2SD (Standard Deviation). By this definition, our special friends are abnormal; they are different. So I say yes, my daughter Aditi is abnormal. She is different from us in more ways than one. Comprehending […]

EVERY morning, Thomas went to the beach, picked up fish that were flipping and threw them back into the water. The fish had been stranded on the beach at high tide; Thomas saved their lives. A monk who came to the beach to meditate every morning silently observed Thomas and his actions. One day, the […]

ACCORDING to the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), inclusivity means creating an environment where adult IDs have an opportunity to: What Navkshitij does Addresses behavioural issues Our special friends cannot go out and make friends like normal youth. By the time they reach us, the youth, especially males, have picked up habits […]

ABOUT a decade ago, the concept of self-advocacy took the world of IDs by storm. Many parents and parent bodies had invested a lot of time and effort in trying to make IDs and their parents speak up for themselves. We decided to study the subject of self-advocacy in the context of IDs in depth. […]

WE saw the enormity of the problem; it was overwhelming. Most parents of IDs had surrendered to fate. Bringing up an ID child took away so much of their energy and their life that they had nothing left in the tank. Parents with borderline IDs devoted themselves to self-advocacy and finding a job for their […]

Written by Dr. C. R. Desai WE had learnt a new word: needs analysis. What was the need to establish residential homes like Navkshitij? What we learnt was staggering. Stunning statistics Data showed that one in two hundred children is intellectually disabled (ID). Simply put, there are about 70 lakh individuals in India who need […]

EARLY 2022 found me shell-shocked after the recent loss of Neelima. I was floundering to find my feet and get a grip on the reins of Navkshitij. Her dream of our Asawali project was weighing me down; a project worth almost 18 crore rupees. We then met God’s own man Mr. Ajit Bhate, the managing […]

WE had set up an ideal, ID-centric residential rehabilitation centre. The IDs, our staff and their children stayed together like an extended family. The news was spreading; we had withstood the challenges for seven years. We were on an even keel.  Parents who visited our centre at Marunji saw this as an ideal place to […]

Background Manali, now 48 years old, has mild intellectual disabilities resulting from an illness in her early years that impacted her cognitive development. Despite these challenges, her story is one of transformation, resilience, and leadership. Early Challenges Manali joined Navkshitij in 2014. During her initial trial period, it was evident that she adapted well to […]

Written By: Dr. C. R. Desai You are entering the haloed temple of happiness; our special friends are the high priests of this temple. They teach us what unconditional happiness is; we have too many conditions for happiness. Life is a celebration; we have spoilt it by making it a competition. All our life we […]

Written By: Dr. C. R. Desai THE question that haunts parents of the intellectually disabled is, “Who after me?” When Aditi was 18 years old, the same question haunted us. We visited some homes for IDs and came back in tears. We could not imagine our daughter staying there. We decided to take the plunge […]

Written By: Dr. C. R. Desai WE taught Aditi to swim. She brought the roof down till she overcame the fear of water; once she did that, she took to swimming like a fish to water. We started taking her to swimming competitions. It did not matter to her whether it was the first prize […]

(By Dr. C. R. Desai, President, Navkshitij Reading Time 6–7 mins) Blog 1 NEELIMA and I, both post-graduates in medicine, got married in 1982. We set up practice and started the regular struggle of a middle-class family; taking loans, digging holes and running fast to fill them. In 1984, we were blessed with our first daughter, […]

(By Dr. C. R. Desai, President, Navkshitij Reading Time 6–7 mins) REHABILITATION of Persons with Disabilities means creating a space in which the impact of the disability is mitigated and the person gets a fair chance to explore his or her abilities. In the case of physical disabilities, improving accessibility to every public facility serves […]

Parenting a Child with Intellectual Disability The Initial Struggles Transforming Challenges into a Mission Founding Navkshitij: A Beacon of Hope for Mentally Challenged Adults The Vision Behind Navkshitij Expanding the Reach of Navkshitij Dr. Desai’s Multifaceted Contributions Achievements in Medicine and Beyond Innovating with the Human Positioning System (HPS) A Life of Adventure and Balance […]

Diwali 2024 Festivities at Navkshitij This year, Diwali was celebrated with a variety of events designed to engage, inspire, and uplift our mentally challenged adults, ensuring a memorable experience for all. Here’s a look at our vibrant week of festivities: Memorable Outings for Our Mentally Challenged Adults October 30 – Fun Outings and Activities The […]

Adults with intellectual disabilities (PwIDs) or mentally challenged adults require consistent vocational training as an integral part of their rehabilitation process. Vocational training not only equips them with essential skills but also plays a key role in improving their behavior and self-management. However, providing this training comes with its own set of challenges, as identifying […]

Gandhi Jayanti, observed every year on October 2nd, is a day to honor the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and reflect on his values of peace, cleanliness, and social justice. At Navkshitij, we have traditionally celebrated this day with street plays and efforts to raise awareness about important social issues, such as the education of girls, […]

Introduction Intellectual disability affects many families globally, with approximately 1 in 50 families having at least one child with such a condition. These families face numerous challenges, especially as the child grows older. Behavioral issues become more pronounced, particularly after the age of 18, when mental development lags behind physical growth. Ajinkya Goundaje, at 33 […]

Introduction Strategically introducing Vansh Nehara’s story against the backdrop of statistics sheds light on the challenges individuals with disabilities face in finding employment opportunities. Despite efforts to bridge the gap, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities remains significantly higher than those without disabilities. In 2023, the unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities stood at […]

What is Creativity? Creativity is the ability to generate new ideas, innovate, and express thoughts in unique ways. It is deeply tied to imagination and originality. Artists, scientists, and thinkers are often seen as creative minds who develop innovative solutions to problems. At Navkshitij, we are dedicated to nurturing the emotions and creativity of persons […]

Caregivers are the pillars of hospitals, old age homes, and residential schools for people with disabilities. Since caregiving is a primary function, caregivers are critical players; they directly influence the lives of those they serve. If a caregiver is not properly trained or is unaware of every facet of his core duty and responsibility, the […]

Introduction Every human being has three basic needs: food, shelter, and clothing. We all strive to meet these needs for ourselves and our families. Individuals without intellectual disabilities understand concepts such as employment, self-respect, and interaction with others in the workplace. However, persons with intellectual disabilities (PwIDs) and mentally challenged adults often lack awareness about […]

Mental health significantly impacts every aspect of our lives. It is crucial for overall well-being. Research shows that a positive, green environment can enhance mental health. When we live in environments that are both uplifting and natural, our mental and physical health improve. This connection is particularly significant in the disability sector, especially in the […]

A Balanced Diet significantly improves the quality of health. While many people follow diet plans and maintain their health through conscious efforts, individuals with intellectual disabilities often lack this awareness. They may eat without considering their health needs, leading to potential health issues and behavioral problems. This lack of awareness can have severe consequences, making […]

At Navkshitij, we believe in the extraordinary power of adventure activities to transform lives. Our latest initiative is designed to challenge, thrill, and empower Mentally Challenged Adults, offering them experiences that push boundaries and foster growth. Here’s why adventure activities are a game-changer for Mentally Challenged Adults:  Challenge and Thrill  Joy and Engagement  Inclusivity and […]

Navkshitij has developed a model of parenting care for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The big strides made by the organization are a testament to the success of the model. Family-Based Care The parenting care model for individuals with intellectual disabilities at Navkshitij emerges as a pioneering solution to a longstanding issue in care facilities. While […]