From The President’s Desk

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

Excitement, action, anticipation

THIS is the 100th issue of our newsletter, Voice of Navkshitij, and we are very excited to publish it. Every month, we are eager to share Navkshitij news with you. It is our responsibility too. This also gives us a chance to publicly express our gratitude to the donors of the month. Our Trustee Kanaka Cadambi has been doing an excellent job of editing the newsletter ever since the first issue came out in April 2012.(Please read more about it on the extra page we have added to celebrate this milestone.)

At last, we could have some activities this month. On July 11, we had an exciting and fun-filled Sports Day. It was a necessary changefor both the special friends and the staff. There was a game of Musical Chairs for our Friends and the female staff members,and a cricket match for the male staff members. Our Trustee Mr. C.E. Potnis played in the cricket match, adding many majaamoments to the event. The day ended with a vada pavparty. Since the Asawali Unit members could not join us owing to the pandemic, they had their own set of events including Musical Chairs and Lemon and Spoon Race. Everyone at both units had a gala time.

The festival season has started, ringing in in-house celebrations for our Friends. On July 24,there was a Mehendi program in preparation for Nagpanchami. Asha, Anuradha, Sakhutai, Aarati and Kalyani put mehendi tirelesslyon the both hands of 16 girls and a few boys too. It was quite a task. On July 25, we celebrated Nagpanchami. The girls decked themselves upin festive attire. They were all looking so pretty. There was a traditional menu at lunch, including Puran Poli. In the evening, there were traditional games such as Fugadiand Ferand swinging on the jhoola strung on a big tree. It is always a delight to watch our Friends having fun with the resident staff and their familiesduring festival times.Our Friends are now excited, waiting for Independence Day. Normally, we go for a picnic but this year we have planned something exciting inside the premises.

It is a challenging time now for our Friends and us. We do not allow parents and siblings to enter the premises.We are taking every precaution possible. So this Rakshabandhan, all the girls and staff in Navkshitij will tie Rakhi to all the boys. We will make sure that our Friends enjoy themselves with good clothes, delicious food, music and dance, which are an integral part of every celebration.

Stay home, take care and be safe.*

Inthe USnow,but my brotheris missing Navkshitij

I am Raj’s sister, currently in the US. Raj is also here since February 2020. During this pandemic and when the disastrous storm attacked Navkshitij,I saw the attachmentRaj has towards his friends, the staff and the organisation. He was worried and in tears. He asked how is everybody, mentioning each name from Navkshitij.

Raj is enjoying here and there isno reason for him to miss Navkshitij. At least,that’s what I had thought. But every Sunday he reminds my mother that he has to call his sirandtalk to his friends. That’s when I realised that his attachment and love alsosays a lot about their love towards him. He even compares the food which I make with the one hegets at Navkshitij. And says, “Our school’sfoodtaste is better.”

Navkshitij has come up from ground zero and today I feel Raj has found his happy world there.Salute to all those hands at work. Praying all stay safe during this pandemic.

By Shalaka Aaron Shroff,sister of Friend Raj Dekhane.

Upcoming Happenings

• June 01: Birthday Celebration of our April-born Friends
• August 3: Rakshabandhan
• August 12: Dahi Handi
• August 15: Independence Daycelebrations
• August 22: Ganesh Chaturthi;
• Installation of Ganesh idol
• August 26: Ganesh Visarjan

Month’s events

• July 11: Sports Day
• July 24: Mehendi session in preparation forNagpanchami
• July 25: Nagpanchami

The United Voice ofNavkshitij

Launched in April 2012, the objective of the monthly newsletter was to communicate with our well-wishers and stakeholders on a regular basis. We wanted to keep you updated on the happenings at Navkshitij and give you insights into what was happening behind the scenes. The newsletter has, in a way, served to reinforce the transparency that pervades the organisation. We wanted everyone, especially the families of our special friends, to feel a part of all the activities at Navkshitij. The news and photos would have reassured them that their child is getting what was promised. Add to this the thrill of seeing one’s son/daughter/sibling in a photoin the newsletter. This is a part of what we want to deliver.

Ms Sangeeta Banginwar,CEO, Sroat, a Pune-based NGO, created this attractive template for us. We thank you all for your support which has been directly or indirectly contributing to the contentof the newsletter. Dr. Neelima Desai, Founder President& MD, Navkshitij.

It’s both overwhelming and exciting

It’s the 100thissue. It’s both exciting and overwhelming. We are happy to share that except on four occasions, when things were beyond our control, we’ve brought out the issueson time. On the first three occasions that we got delayed, I was upset. But Dr. Neelima Desai told me, “You’ve done your best. Relax.” That is the culture at Navkshitij—Give everything your best; the outcome will take care of itself. I’ve been so blessed to learn so many life’s lessons here.

It’s a small two-pager, true, but those in-the-know are aware how filling even two pages with relevant material can be a challenge. I’ve never had to fill pages. I’ve always had plenty. Not even during the lockdown days when there were no events happening. I’ve only had to cut, prune and shape. Once, as I was making the pages, I realised I didn’t have content for one column. When I shared it with two people, within 45 minutes both sent me 600-word very well-written articles. All I needed was 250 to 300 words

With love pouring in through these forms and formats too, we will continue to bring Navkshitij alive for you, month after month, through this small endeavour. We owe it to you and we derive great delight in doing this exercise.

By Kanaka Cadambi,Trustee, Navkshitij.

Every month filled with newsworthy activities

A century in any field is a landmark. One hundred issues of a monthly newsletter without a single break is simply amazing. It is a reflection of the commitment, consistency and character of the whole team. It also shows that each month ismarked with newsworthy activities.The newsletter has established itself as a dialogue between all our well-wishers and has proved to be yetanother reassurance to the parents and siblings of our special friends. It has played a major role in instilling confidence among everyone involved with Navkshitij.Kudos to the whole team. Proud to be a part of Navkshitij.

Dr. C. R. Desai,Vice President, Navkshiti

It’s a virtual tour

The idea of rolling out a monthly newsletter cropped up for creating a platform to reach out to all our well-wishers, and families of special friends. The newsletter, as the name suggests, gave glimpses of anything and everything happening under the roof of Navkshitij. It offeredthe reader a virtual tour and anchored the connect of mainstream society with the lives of our special friends just by being there every single month since the launch.

Any organisation is in a position to roll out its newsletter only when it moves from infancy to young age. Today, Navkshitij rolling out the 100th issueof its newsletter speaks volumes about the commitment and perseverance on the part of the teamand the maturity of the organisation.I am extremely happy and proud to be a small part of such a wonderful team.

Congratulations to the entire team of patrons, parents and siblings, staff, volunteers and Trustees!!The show will go on....!!!

Mr. Suneel Kulkarni, Treasurer, Navkshitij.

Reflects a flowing and vibrant organisation

Congratulations to Navkshitij team on rolling out 100th issue of the newsletter. It speaks volumes. Every month, over eight and a half years, Navkshitij has been sending newsletters to all who have touched this beautiful home in many ways. It’s a reflection of the organisation’scontinuous communication, commitment, culture and care.

A newsletter on a regular basis is the sign of a flowing and vibrant organization. It also is the sign of vigour and dynamism. At Navkshitij, each day is a new day filled with activities, learning and fun. No wonder, Navkshitij has so much to share with everyone. The monthly newsletter serves as a mirror reflecting the care, fun and joy that is being experienced on a daily basis at Navkshitij.

Mr. C. E. Potnis, Trustee, Navkshitij.

Conquering new horizons

Navkshitij means New Horizons. Like the name suggests, our organization has been conquering new horizons, one after another. For example, instead of feeling cowed down by the lockdown challenges, we introduced an agri project at the Asawali unit. The new activity will slowly help make us self-sufficient and maybe take us a step forward in producing organic vegetables, a need of today.It is also in line with our Green Policies.

It gives me a lot of hope and confidence every time we rise to a challenge and it gets me excited to see how far we have come. Our future plans are also shaping up really well. The newsletter is a well-planned activity. I'm happy we are bringing out the 100th issue.

Adv. Sujata Kulkarni, Trustee, Navkshitij.

Effective implementation

I am glad to know that Navkshitij is publishing the 100th issue of its newsletter. One more reason I am glad for—all new process orpractice set up at Navkshitij is always implemented effectively including the format of newsletter. All the very best for many more issues and for the progress of the organization.

Ms. Sangeeta Banginwar, CEO, Sroat