From the President’s desk

April marked by events galore

THIS month was made special by many events. We had a get-together of the Mullayangiri trek participants and the Annual Parents’ Meeting. It was wonderful reliving the trek through photos and videos, and the experiences shared.

We had a fruitful interaction with parents, sharing happy moments and discussing issues pertaining to their children. I generally have direct, straightforward communications with the parents. I know that it helps to maintain transparency and build trust.

We had our Annual Shopping event on April 14, at Big Bazaar in Hinjawadi. For the past one month, our Friends have been discussing what to buy and for whom. It was very interesting to hear their discussions. Volunteers from Fiserv and Zhep helped us to make this event a great success. The staff at Big Bazaar was very understanding and helpful. They gave us a warm welcome at the entrance. They helped our Friends to buy clothes. They also gave us snacks and cool drinks. During the shopping, we could see the pride on our Friends’ faces and in their body language. They were spending their hard-earned money, buying things for their family members and themselves.y encouraging.

One day, I got a call from the Hinjawadi Police station. I got a bit worried wondering why a police inspector was calling me. It turned out they were organising a Traffic Awareness Week and they wanted to invite Navkshitij Friends to join them! It was a pleasant surprise to me that the police are aware of our monthly Traffic Awareness Program. We participated in the program at three locations around Hinjawadi. It was our small contribution towards the betterment of society.

On April 26, we had our annual medical checkup by Aditya Birla Hospital, which has been helping us since many years. We express our gratitude to them.On World Dance Day, our Friends got an opportunity to perform with the renowned actress Ms participants and the Annual Parents’ Meeting. It was wonderful reliving the trek through photos and videos, and the experiences shared.

We had a fruitful interaction with parents, sharing happy moments and discussing issues pertaining to their children. I generally have direct, straightforward communications with the parents. I know that it helps to maintain transparency and build trust.

We had our Annual Shopping event on April 14, at Big Bazaar in Hinjawadi. For the past one month, our Friends have been discussing what to buy and for whom. It was very interesting to hear their discussions. Volunteers from Fiserv and Zhep helped us to make this event a great success. The staff at Big Bazaar was very understanding and helpful. They gave us a warm welcome at the entrance. They helped our Friends to buy clothes. They also gave us snacks and cool drinks. During the shopping, we could see the pride on our Friends’ faces and in their body language. They were spending their hard-earned money, buying things for their family members and themselves.

One day, I got a call from the Hinjawadi Police station. I got a bit worried wondering why a police inspector was calling me. It turned out they were organising a Traffic Awareness Week and they wanted to invite Navkshitij Friends to join them! It was a pleasant surprise to me that the police are aware of our monthly Traffic Awareness Program. We participated in the program at three locations around Hinjawadi. It was our small contribution towards the betterment of society.

On April 26, we had our annual medical checkup by Aditya Birla Hospital, which has been helping us since many years. We express our gratitude to them. On World Dance Day, our Friends got an opportunity to perform with the renowned actress Ms Sonalee Kulkarni.

Doubtful at first, now happily in my 5th year

AFTER completing my Master’s in Social Work, I came to Pune for the first time, looking for a job. I got an interview call from Navkshitij. I was interviewed by Dr Neelima Desai. I got the job.

When I started working as Caretaker Coordinator, everything was so new. I did not have any idea about Mentally Challenged Friends (MCF), their problems, their behaviour and so on. The manager, Mr Balu Wayal, gave a brief introduction of the organisation and showed me around the campus. I was worried, actually scared, at the beginning. On the first day, Special Educator Mr Santosh Munde introduced me to all the MCF at the Workshop. Everything was going well. Suddenly a girl came to me and went around me 3-4 times. She was very excited and was saying, “Oh my God!” After a few minutes, another MCF got an epilepsy. I studied how the situation was handled. The way it was taken care of gave me a double confidence boost. All my fears left me. Still, in the night, thousands of questions came to my mind. I had question marks about my ability to work here. I somehow fell asleep. Next morning, when I remembered the incidents, I saw them differently. I felt I had answers to the questions in my mind bank. In the first case, the girl was just excited to have a new Dada in the organisation, I realised. The staff is so efficient and helpful. How can I be unhappy with such good people? Now, I have completed four and a half happy years serving at Navkshitij.

By Mahendra Suryavanshi, Assistant Manager

Upcoming Happenings

May 1: Group Birthday celebration
• May 2 to 9: Course for Caregivers
• May 4: Parents’ Meeting (Day School and Day Workshop)
• May 26: Monthly Trek to Bhimashankar

Month’s events

April 14: Annual Shopping at Big Bazaar, XION Mall
• April 21: Karnataka Trip get-together and Residential Parents Meeting
• April 26: Annual Medical Check-up by Aditya Birla Hospital, Pune
• April 28: Trek to Chaturshringi to Vetal Tekadi, Pune

Thank you from Navkshitij to:

Bank of Maharashtra Retd. Employees Welfare Organization
• Mr. Santosh Ramchandra Dastane
• M/s Vista Processed Foods Pvt. Ltd.
• Mr. Nachiketas Bhatkar
• Mr. Abhay Khanapure
• Mr. Vinod Venkat Gujar
• Mr. Vinode Shantaram Bhimaji
• Help Smile Trust, UK
• Mr. Nitin Patel
• M/s Flextronics Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
• Jairaj & Company
• Mr. Padmakar Khare
• Vidya Pratishtan, Karvenagar
• LT Col Dr. Iqbal Singh

Navkshitij now needs:

• Solar Water Heater System for Aswali Unit – Approximate cost Rs 70,000
• 1 Activa scooter – Approximate cost Rs 65,000
• 6 Office Chairs – Approximate cost Rs 12,000
• 4 Garden Chairs – Approximate cost Rs 4,700
• One-time Ice-Cream Party – Approximate cost Rs 3,500
• 8 Casseroles – Approximate cost Rs 4,000
• 8 Stainless Steel Grain Storage Container (50 Kg) – Approximate cost Rs 4,000 each
• 1 Body Massager for Therapy for Day School Students – Approximate cost Rs 2,500phones for Music Therapy – Approximate cost Rs. 6000

(A monthly newsletter published by Dr. Neelima Desai and edited by Kanaka Cadambi on behalf of Navkshitij)