Ch. Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), Maharashtra navjeevanspecial@gmail.com
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About Navjeevan Society

Navjeevan Society for Research & Rehabilitation of the Intellectually Disabled, a registered Society, was established on 5th September 1985 in Ch. Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad).

Understanding Disability

Definition

Intellectual disability is characterised by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour, which covers many everyday social and practical skills, originating before age 18.

Prevalence

In Ch. Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) alone, an alarming 2% of the population of 16,87,000 lives with intellectual disability — yet institutions working for them are negligible.

Early Intervention

Early identification and intervention enable the child to use residual potentials to the maximum extent and integrate with the community with dignity.

Social Inclusion

With the right support, persons with intellectual disability can achieve vocational independence, participate in community life, and live with dignity.

History of Navjeevan Society

A mission started by Late Smt. Nalinitai Shah.

Mrs. Nalini Shah, President and founder member of Navjeevan Society, has a nephew who is intellectually disabled. Back in the 1960's Ch. Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) was not very developed and there was no awareness about intellectual disability. With the encouragement and guidance of Dr. Kumbhakarna, Dr. Ambadas Ambulgekar (both paediatricians) and Dr. Vinay Barhale (psychiatrist), Navjeevan was founded on 5th Sept 1985 with only 18 children in a rented place.

The school was first of its kind in Ch. Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) district. In its early phase the school was more of a crèche than a special education centre. But the leadership was dynamic. Mrs. Jayshree Kendrekar joined the Navjeevan family as a trustee and administrator. Today there are in all 150 students under the roof of Navjeevan.

Ch. Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) is a city in Maharashtra State of India, 410 km from Mumbai. Having a population of 16,87,000, the percentage of population with intellectual disability has been discovered to be an alarming 2%. As against this, the number of institutions working for persons with intellectual disability is negligible.

Aims & Objectives

Aims & Objectives of Navjeevan

Directing every effort to empower persons with intellectual disabilities so that they can live with dignity.

Early identification & intervention

Enable the child to use his residual potentials to the maximum extent.

Imparting pre-vocational training

To adolescents, building a foundation for independent work.

Vocational training to adults

Sheltered workshop opportunities so adults can achieve full or partial economic independence.

Counselling parents & families

Counselling the parents and families of persons with intellectual disabilities.

Sensitising the community

On the issue of intellectual disability and other brain-related problems.

Other guiding objectives

  • Achieving holistic development of the children.
  • Conducting and supporting research related to intellectual disability.
  • Providing technical assistance to other organisations working with similar mission.
  • Conducting different courses aiming at manpower development in the field of intellectual disability.
  • Giving adults with any type of disability an opportunity to work in a sheltered workshop so that they can achieve full or partial economic independence.
Milestones

Major milestones over four decades.

Sep 1985

Foundation of Navjeevan Society, starting of Navjeevan School

Feb 1991

Recognition and grant for school from Social Welfare Department

Jun 1994

Shifted to own school building

Sep 1994

Vocational Training Centre was started

Mar 1997

A separate building for Vocational Training Centre

Mar 1999

Recognition & grant for Vocational Training Centre

Jun 2006

Residential Care unit was started in a new building

Feb 2008

Physiotherapy Centre was inaugurated

Aug 2008

Appointed as State Nodal Agency Partner by National Trust of India

Mar 2010

New Workshop Building and Auditorium were inaugurated

Jun 2012

Care Group Unit was started

Jun 2022

Early Intervention Center inaugurated

Jun 2023

Sheltered Workshop was inaugurated

President's Address

From the desk of the President.

Dated 15th August, 2021 — In memory of Late Smt. Nalinitai Shah.

Dear All,

The new management took over the reins of Navjeevan Society from the committee that founded Navjeevan. They had left no stone unturned to make Navjeevan a prestigious institution that it is today. Late Mrs. Nalini Shah, Dr. Vinay Barhale, Dr. Ambadas Ambulgekar, Mr. Keshav Deshpande and Mrs. Jayashree Kendrekar — they were a strong team dedicated to work for the intellectually disabled. I was fortunate to work with this team for the past 25 years.

Over the years the terminology has evolved to reflect growing global acceptance — and today the correct term is Intellectually Disabled. We need to continue to put in our efforts for their rehabilitation, particularly their social acceptance and economic rehabilitation, wherever possible.

The help we receive from the Corporate Sector and individuals is indispensable. They have continued to support all our projects over the years. We acknowledge their continuous support.

The new management committee includes people from different fields. Together we are trying to put in our individual expertise to take Navjeevan to greater heights. In the past year, in spite of the pandemic, different projects were taken up. This academic year started with the official inauguration of the Early Intervention Center. Many more projects are lined up. Our primary goal this year is to strengthen the Sheltered Workshop. The vision is economic independence of our adults.

I promise to see you in the next President's address with many success stories!

Trustees

List of trustees.

The Society is led by a body of trustees who have served with continued commitment.

Name of Trustee Designation Contact
Mrs. Sharmila Veerdhawal GandhiPresident9326222260
Dr. Chinmay Vinay BarhadeVice President9823012123
Mr. Badriprasad Nandalal RathiSecretary9822060075
Mr. Sunil Jayraj VedTreasurer9423028028
Mr. Ramesh Panditrao DuseJoint Secretary9422202747
Dr. Ramdas Marutirao AmbulgekarMember9860059409
Mr. Shyam Omprakash ChhawchhariyaMember9890449132
Mrs. Shushma Shrikantrao KulkarniMember7798193666
Our Patrons

Standing on the shoulders of partners.

Corporate partners and well-wishers whose generosity has shaped Navjeevan's journey.

  • MIDC of Ch. Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) granted 2,400 sq. m. of land on lease at a subsidised rate of ₹10.76/sq. m for the cause.
  • Action Aid sponsored a Community Based Rehabilitation Program in five villages.
  • HPCL contributed half of the Residential Care Unit building; the other half was constructed by Gupta Group of Industries.
  • Mahyco Seeds Ltd. built a building for the Sheltered Workshop.
  • Vibgyor Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. constructed the Vocational Training Centre building (now converted into Administrative and Therapy Center).
  • Amway India's Amway Opportunity Foundation set up the Physiotherapy Center, providing all equipment and bearing the unit's expenses for 5 years (2008–2013).
  • Fab Habitat, USA sponsored the operational expenses of the Physiotherapy Unit for 3 years; later helped set up the Early Intervention Center and supported the Care Group Unit for 3 years.
  • State Bank of Hyderabad presented a Maruti Omni Van for transportation of school children.
  • Mr. Malkhare, a local builder and parent of one of our students, gifted a 2-acre farming plot to the Society.
  • Capital First Limited supported the Physiotherapy Center for 3 years and the Care Group for 2 consecutive years.
  • AEI-CIE, Ch. Sambhajinagar, has been sponsoring the Physiotherapy Unit since 2015.
  • Plus Tech, Pune, supported the Care Group Unit for 1 year.
  • UMA Sons Ch. Sambhajinagar donated garden play equipment.
  • CIE Aluminium Casting India Ltd. is currently supporting the Care Group, Early Intervention Centre and Vocational Training Center.
  • Endress & Hauser Flow Tec India Pvt. Ltd. has developed a turf playground and a sound-proof multi-sensory room on our premises.