NAVKSHITIJ

Navkshitij started its journey in 2003 as a daycare centre dedicated to persons with intellectual disabilities (PwIDs). From the outset, we’ve been organising unique activities that foster inclusion and development. Our late founder, Dr. Neelima Desai, was passionate about trekking and adventure. In 2008, she was inspired to organise treks in the Himalayan region. This adventure activity was organised year after year for nine years and to the Mullayanagiri in Karnataka. Over the years, we began organising annual holidays outside Pune to places like Kashmir, Bandavgadh, Agra and Bharatpur and even to Bangkok and Pattaya in Thailand.

In 2007, with the support of generous well-wishers, we established a Residential Rehabilitation Centre at Maruniji, in Pune, on previously unused government land. Through the collaborative efforts of trustees, parents of PwIDs, donors and our dedicated staff, we transformed this space into a thriving rehabilitation centre.

In 2023, we opened a new unit in Talegaon, where 40 PwIDs currently reside happily, apart from the 47 in the Maruniji centre.

Dr. Neelima Desai’s commitment to special education and social service has been recognised with several prestigious awards, including the Excellence Award from Autism Connect & Neuro Gen in 2018, presented by the Minister for Social Justice, Hon. Shri Rajkumar Badole. She received the Vocational Excellence Recognition Award (VERA) twice—from the Rotary Club of Pune Riverside and the Rotary Club of Pune Horizon—for her signature rehabilitation programmes for PwIDs. Vishwa Jagriti Mission Trust bestowed the Punyadham Award 2015 on Dr. Desai. The same year, Sakal Social Foundation and Gurunanak Foundation honoured her for her impactful contributions to society.

Navkshitij was one of 25 non-governmental organisations selected for a cash award by the Suryakant Pawar Foundation.

At Navkshitij, our journey is one of dedication, compassion, and transformation, and we continue to serve with compassion, dedication and long-term vision.