From The President’s Desk

Our Friends know Navkshitij is their home

I would like to share with you an amazing change that I have been noticing in our Friends for the last few months. During the early months at Navkshitij, we had to minutely plan the daily activities for our Friends because they did not know how to entertain themselves. They had to be kept busy with activities, tasks and responsibilities.

Entertainment was a well-planned, regulated activity because our Friends needed their hours chalked out well. They did not know what to do during free hours and they would end up creating problems by getting into aggressive, destructive moods and fighting amongst themselves. Some of them have tried running away.

After staying with us for a few years, our Friends are now ready to handle free time; they have learnt how to keep themselves entertained. Therefore, a few months back, we increased their free time, when they can do whatever they feel like doing. They could play carom, cricket, sing songs, watch TV, chat with their friends, play games on the computer, draw and paint/colour or do puzzles. A few days after initiating this change, I inquired to find out how it was working. The answer that I got was not at all encouraging. I let it be.

Now, after a few months, we are noticing that the scenario is changing. We see the men getting together and chatting in the garden, playing Antakshari, carom or cricket without being told or supervised. The women enjoy their “gossip”, playing Antakshari, cards and carom, doing handicraft, practicing rangoli, watching TV and cracking harmless jokes about each other. In fact, you can often hear loud laughter wafting from the women’s wing.

I am so happy that our Friends are feeling so settled, happy and secure that they have started expressing themselves in various ways. They feel comfortable enough to do whatever they want in their free time. They feel secure and reassured enough to relax and just be. They know, this is THEIR HOME. For us, this is success, where my team has taken Navkshitij to another level, with our Friends feeling happy and stress-free.

Staffer Pappu is a big asset

This is the story of Pappu Bapurao, a young boy of 23, who got married and lost his job immediately after marriage. He came to Navkshitij with great hope. At that time, we had bought two acres of land with the idea of starting our second unit and we needed someone to take care of the place. It was a desolate, barren land, with no neighbours in the near vicinity.

We offered this job to the boy and built a hut for him to stay with his wife. They started living there, even though the conditions were very adverse. Initially, some farmers in the area caused a lot of problems for him in the hope of chasing him away. However, with patience and his sweet nature, Pappu won them over and they became his friends. Slowly, we developed our piece on land in Kusgaon. Pappu kept an eagle watch over everything that was happening. In June 2014, we started our second unit. He was a big help during this period.

All the same, it was during the trip to Bharatpur that we realized his full potential. During our journey, Pappu, of his own volition, took the responsibility of helping as well as entertaining our Friends.

During the time all these were happening, he learnt to drive a four-wheeler. This additional skill suddenly opened more doors for him. We were planning new initiatives and we realized what an asset he could be.

Right enough, Pappu proved his worth at the first opportunity. On June 15, we launched our Day School and Workshop facility. The facility includes pick-up and drop for special friends who attend it. As luck would have it, our regular driver was forced to go on leave for a few days. Pappu pitched in with all his heart and helped us pull through the crisis till our regular driver returned.

I am really grateful to Pappu and others like him who are part of the Navkshitij family. The courage to start new initiatives comes from the reassurance that they give me.

Upcoming Events

• July 3: Dance progamme by Azaadiya Group
• July 15: Traffic Awareness Program at Pune Vidyapeeth Chowk
• July 16: Setu Program in Satara
• July 22: Workshop for teachers from schools participating in the Annual Natya Mahotsav
• July 25: Trek to Shivneri Junnar
• July 31: Guru Pournima

Month’s events

• June 17: Traffic Awareness Program at Hinjewadi Phase 2
• June 15: Launch of Day School and Workshop at Marunji premises
• June 17: Dental Checkup Camp in Marunji
• June 27: Trek to Dattagad Dhighi

Navkshitij now needs:

• 2 big Godrej cupboards – Approximate cost Rs. 8,000 each
• 10 Small chairs and tables – Approximate cost Rs. 15,000
• 7 Carom Boards – Approximate cost Rs. 7,000
• 1 Tape Recorder – Approximate cost Rs. 4,000
• 8 Cots – Approximate cost Rs. 15,200
• 8 Mattresses and 8 Pillows – Approximate cost Rs. 7,400

• Mr. Abhay Khanapure
• Mr. Prashant Patel
• Mr. Murali Kannan
• Ms. Jigar Shah
• Jakson Limited Plc Ac.
• Mr. Suresh Vitthal Rao
• Mrs. Anju Gupta
• Mrs. Neelima Madhukar Chitnis
• BMO - Infosys
• Mr. Pradeep Bele
• Mr. Bindu Mishra
• Mr. Vimal Pandit
• Mrs. Madhuri Maitra
• Mrs. Amruta Jairam
• Flextronics Technologies (India) Pvt. Ltd.
• Mr. Suresh Bhau Hullawale
• Mr. Samir Bagwan

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