FromThe President’s Desk

ExchangeProgramme with Sadhana Village

I amvery excited about sharing the news that we, at Navkshitij, were able torealise one more dream – the launch of an exchange programme betweenresidential homes for special friends. It’s probably for the first time inIndia that such an initiative has been launched.

Thedream came true on July 6, when four Friends from Sadhana Village, aresidential home located in Mulshi, visited Navkshitij with two of their staffmembers. On the same day, four Navkshitij Friends went to Sadhana Village,along with two staff members. At Marunji, we organized a special programme forour special guests. The same was accorded to the Navkshitij team at SadhanaVillage. It was a very enjoyable experience for both the groups. When it wastime to leave, all the Friends – visitors and hosts – felt sad. There werepromises to visit again!

Itis a special event in the life of our Friends. It is a necessary andwell-deserved change both for our Friends and the staff. It provided them an exposureto a different environment. Very importantly, it is something so doable. Thefriendly and secure atmosphere is already there and the staff is trained inhandling special friends.

Dr. Sucheta Sathe – Bringing morethan just a smile

Whenwe started our residential unit in Marunji in 2007 unit, we were worried aboutthe dental hygiene of our Friends. They are often too lazy to perform the taskof brushing their teeth properly. In 2008, God sent us a kind dentist who tookover the responsibility of helping maintain dental hygiene for our Friends. Forher, it was a new challenge; but she passed the exam with flying colours. Shescheduled their check-up timing very meticulously. She was extremely patientand clever. Very soon she had even the non-cooperating Friends fall inline.  She helped us set a routine fortheir daily brushing. Our Friends now brush their teeth twice a day –unfailingly.

Thiskind-hearted dentist is Dr. Sucheta Sathe. Her kindness and integrity hasbowled us over. Her sense of commitment to our Friends is amazing. We are verylucky to have people like her associated with Navkshitij.

Upcoming Happenings

· August 4: Friendship Day celebrations

· August 7: Traffic Awareness Drive at University Chowk

· August 10: Mehendi Programme in preparation forNagpanchmi

· August 11: Nagpanchmi celebrations with Puran poli

· August 15: Independence Day celebrations, followed bya picnic

· August 20: Rakshabandhan celebrations

· August 24: Trek to Nane Ghat, Junnar

Important events in July

·  July 6:  Navkshitij-Sadhana Village Exchange Programme

·  July 13: Get-togetherfor the volunteers who participated in the trip to Jammu & Kashmir

·  July 18: Visit toSanskar Pratishashtan and Sadhana Village, under the SETU initiative

·  July 18: Monthly visitby KPIT interns

·  July 27: MonsoonJungle Walk to Taljai

Navkshitij Now Needs

· 4LED Garden Lamps – Approximate cost Rs. 3, 500 each

·  1Camera – Approximate cost Rs. 6, 000

·  3Garden benches – Approximate cost Rs. 5, 000 for each

·  1DVD  Player with recording facility –Approximate cost Rs.10,000

Thankyou from Navkshitij to:

·        Mr. K. R. Narayan Rao

·        WeKare Society, Capgemini

·        Mr. Makarand Date

·        Ms. Shashikala Desai

·        Ms. Vaidehee Shete

·        Ms. Sudha Sharma

·        Mr. Mayur Piplani

·        Mr. Lokesh Kumra

·        Mr. Ravindra Kulkarni

·        Ms. Madhavi Gangapurkar

·        Mr. Padamakar Khare

·        Ms. Anupreeta

·        Sankalp Consumer Products

·        Raj Masale Company

·        Mr. Phatal Achyut Govind

·        Mr. Hariharan K. Iyer

·        Dr. Anand Dixit

·        Mr. Suneel Kulkarni

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