From The President’s Desk

The thrill of seeing of Virat Kohli in person

OCTOBER was an event-filled month. The activities began for us on October 2, with the annual Street Play and Walkathon from Hotel Wadeshwar on Fergusson College Road to Sambhaji Udyan on Jungli Maharaj Road. Our Friends presented a skit on the Pulwama attack. They presented the skit at three different locations along the way. The public was amazed to see mentally challenged friends perform so well.

On October 12, Nene Ghat Ganesh Mandal felicitated Navkshitij and donated groceries, which was handed over by the famous actor cum director Pravin Tarade. Nene Ghat Ganesh Mandal is historically important because it was established by the legendary Lokmanya Tilak. October 12 was a very special day for yet another reason. Our Friends went to Gahunje Stadium near Pune to watch the Test match between India and South Africa live. The boys and men were thrilled to see Virat Kohli and other favourite cricketers in person. Special friends like to be a part of such sports and social events. It gives them immense pleasure and boosts their confidence.

They got one more such opportunity on October 19, when they participated in the Global BMC Marathon Run.

A team of volunteers from UPS Logistics Pvt Ltd visited Navkshitij on the October 19. They had a productive and enjoyable interaction with our Friends. They helped paint diyas and planted saplings.

We put up stalls in many corporate houses. So it was a packed schedule at the Workshop. It was wonderful to see our Friends and my colleagues working so hard to sell the products made with so much effort, care and love.

We celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, with peeked enthusiasm. The celebrations started with our young friends making a killa (fort), with the help of the caregivers. It was Faral feast on October 23, when everyone enjoyed the traditional delicacies. In the evening, there was a party with soft drinks, dancing and, of course, wafers. The next day, most of the Friends went home to celebrate Diwali with their families. Around ten Friends stayed back at Marunji and Asawali. They enjoyed the actual festival with their Dada and Tai.

On October 30, many returned from their vacation to their home in Navkshitij, where they have their friends, peer groups, regulated & fun-filled days, plus huge doses of unconditional love.

Do special friends have emotions and feelings?

SOME TIME back, I was talking to a young couple about Navkshitij, highlighting the adventure activities. After hearing me out, the girl said, “You guys are doing a great job, true. But getting mentally challenged persons to do all those activities like trekking or zorbing may not be so difficult because they do not know fear. They don’t have emotions. They will simply follow. I mean, I’m not saying your work is nothing. But...”

For a moment, I was taken aback, but then it struck me how ignorant society was about mentally challenged persons. Gathering myself, I told her, “Thank you for appreciating our work and voicing your opinions openly. As it happens, mentally challenged persons do have emotions. They have fear, joy, sadness, happiness and every feeling and emotion that we have. The difference between them and us is that they cannot think about the consequences of an action and its impact on their lives. Besides, they trust the people closest to them, especially when the communication is honest. In a group, that trust becomes infectious.” The couple began to think. The incident drove home the truth about how equally important raising awareness about mentally challenged persons (amongst society) is as giving them love and care. I’m happy that Navkshitij is addressing this need on a big scale. Kanaka Cadambi- Trustee , Navkshitij

Upcoming Happenings:

• November 20 : Traffic Awareness Program
• November 30: Trek to Neelkantheshwar

Month’s Happenings:

• October 2 : Street Play and Walkathon
• October 5: Parents Meeting (Residential Unit)
• October 8: Dassera celebrations
• October 13: Kojagiri Poornima
• October 13: Parents Meeting (Day Care School and Workshop)
• October 24: Diwali holidays

Thank you from Navkshitij to:

• Mr. Sudhir Vadodaria
• Mr. Nachiketas Bhatkar
• Mr. Chetan Shah
• Mrs. Aparna K Kamtekar
• Mrs. Rukmini Kamtekar
• Emcure Pharmaceuticals Limited
• Craft Circle
• Dr. Vinita Dikshit
• Mr. Nitin Patel
• Mr. Rajendra Mehrotra
• UPS LOGISTICS Pvt Ltd
• Tata Motors, Hinjawadi, Pune
• Nene Ghat Ganesh Mandal
• Swastishri Sahakari Griha Rachana Sanstha Maryadit

Navkshitij now needs:

• 1 Cupboard – Approximate cost Rs. 10, 500
• 1 Wall mounting Fan – Approximate cost Rs. 1, 600
• 300 kg Wheat
• 150 kg Rice
• 4 x 15-litre tins Groundnut oil
• 50 kg Sugar
• 40 Colgate toothpaste (100 gm)
• 30 litres Harpik
• 15 litres Dish washing liquid
• 50 Toilet soap bars
• 15 litres Phenyl
• 15 kg Ghee

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