From The President’s Desk

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

A quiet month

(A monthly newsletter published since April 2012by Dr. Neelima Desai and edited by Kanaka Cadambi on behalf of Navkshitij)MAY was a quiet month, with not many activities, what with the lockdown and the summer heat keeping us indoors.

We started the month with a combined birthday party for all the May-born Friends on May 1.

The highlight of the month was the installation of a 10 KW Solar Electricity system at the Asawali unit, which was made possible under the CSR activity of the Volkswagen IT Services, Pune.This comes as a huge blessing. Having enjoyed the benefits of using solar power at our Marunji unit, we are fully aware of the financial savings possible for the organisation. We can never understate the advantages of having a solar power unit at Navkshitij and we express our heartfelt thanks to the CSR team from Volkswagen IT Services, Pune.

Like last month, this month also, we had four aamrasparties on May 2, 6, 9 and 13, sponsored by parents and siblings of our Friends. On May 20 and 27, we had ice-cream parties, thanks to well-wishers Luca D’Aversa and Kristine Schirmer from Gordon, Germany. Summer special events included aNaariyal Paani party and a Watermelon Party.

On May 28, five staff members and two special friends tested COVID 19 positive. The management decided to send all the special friends home for about five weeks. Over the weekend of May 29 and 30, all the Resident Friends at Marunji left for their homes. They will come back after July 6.

We are happy to share with you that all the Friends and staff members and their families at the Asawali unit are safe.

Take care. Stay safe.

Dr Neelima Desai

Up in arms

IN the third week of May 2021, COVID 19 came back to challenge us. A special educator and an office assistant first tested positive. After a few days, we found that two special educators, our workshop manager and two special friends had contacted COVID 19. They were all admitted to Wipro Covid Care Centre, Hinjawadi.

Considering the safety of our Friends, we closed the workshop and instructed all our Friends to remain inside theirresidential blocks.

After a discussion, Dr. Neelima Desai and the otherTrustees decided to send back all the Residential Friendsto their homes. The families accepted the situation and arranged for their wards to return home, after another COVID test.

As always, all the staff members rose to the occasion and handled our Friends and the situation well. They were particularly sensitive to the emotional issues of our Friends since we had to keep them indoors. On behalf of Navkshitij, I would like to expressmy deep gratitude to the staff members and the families of our special friends for their quick and caring response.

By Rameshwar Fundipalle., GM, Operations, Navkshitij

Month’s events

• May 1: Birthday celebrations for our May-born Friends
• May 2,6,9 & 13: Amaras Party
• May 20 & 27: Ice-cream Party

Solar panel technicians at Asawali

Staff membersenjoying Aamras with Divekar Maushi, our Resident Trustee

Pakodi party instead of cake cutting for birthday celebrations for our May-born Friends

Navkshitij is closed from May 31, 2021to July 6, 2021