From The President’s Desk

(A monthly newsletter published since April 2012by Dr. Neelima Desai and edited by Kanaka Cadambi on behalf of Navkshitij)

Top: Friends at Asawalicelebrating Gudi Padawa;

Centre: Second dose of vaccination for those in the 45 to 59 age-group;

Bottom: Celebrating the king of fruits, we have aamras parties throughout the month

Aamras parties galore

(A monthly newsletter published since April 2012by Dr. Neelima Desai and edited by Kanaka Cadambi on behalf of Navkshitij)APRIL was thrilling for our Friends.We celebrated Gudi Padawa on Tuesday, April 13, with the usual enthusiasm and thrill.

The month was filled with Aamrasparties. The parties were sponsored by Friend Raj Dekhane’s parents (April 18), Friend Mukunda’s brother (April 22), well-wishers Dr. Ajay Banerjee and Anjali Banerjee (April 25), and Friend Manasi’s mother (April 29). We are grateful to the families and well-wishers who sponsored the greatly-loved event on four different days in April.

Friends got different types of sports equipment in April, thanks to our well-wishers Ms. Sanjota Malpani, President, Rotary Club of Pune Pride, and Rotarian Subhedar. Needless to say, our Friends were thrilled to receive the equipment.

On April 17, we celebrated Trustee Divekar Maushi’s 82nd birthday with great enthusiasm. Divekar Maushi is a great favourite among the staff, Friends, families of staff members, and families of Friends. With her untiring efforts, she inspires many people in the organisation. At the cost of sounding repetitive, I would like to say that Divekar Maushi has been a huge pillar of strength for Navkshitij. From the word go, she has been with us, supporting us through thick and thin, and encouraging the rest of us Trustees and the staff whenever she felt our energy levels were sagging.

On her 82nd birthday, our Friends, staff and their children gave her a surprise party. They made beautiful cards for her, got her to cut a cake (at Marunji unit), and added to her infectious joy

We are happy that 14 special friends and two staff members received their second dose of vaccination in April. Vaccination for those in the 18 to 45 age-group is expected to roll out in May and we hope to get all our Resident Friends and staff members vaccinated soon.

I’m extremely happy to share with you that through the difficult times, our staff has taken excellent care of our special friends. The sense of responsibility came from within. Not a day did I have to remind them of their daily duty. There is so much in their giving. I chose this occasion to thank our staff members. We are so proud of them

Stay safe. Take care.*

Dr Neelima Desai

Overheard...

SOMEONE asked a Friend whether she would like to go home and whether she was missingthe good old times of trekkingand outings, visitors and visiting homes. Our Friend promptly replied, “Imiss treks and outings. Iwant to meetour IT friends. But I don’t want to gohome.I’m so busy here.Sports Day is so majja. I just love it.I enjoy being with my best friends here.It’s so boring at home.And who will make aamras for me? I don’t want to go home.”

Oh my God, what better laurels can Navkshitij get?