Punit Mishra's birth day

To day is Punit's birth day. Punit Mishra is our student of secondary class. We have a practice of celebrating birth days of our students. The brief celebration is carried in morning at the end of the morning prayer thus all students and staff is also involved. This is one of the many ways of socialization of our mentally challenged students. The "arti" is also done by our girl students, that is how they learn many things which includes holding of "thali" along with a "diya". We at Sandnya consider all these small things as a opportunity to learn.

BY: Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS

matrusangharsh meeting

Matrusangharsh members had their monthly meeting today at 2:30pm at Nagpur office. The main point on the agenda was venue for the picnic says the convener of the meeting. These mothers of our mentally challenged students thought that instead of going out door, they will prefer having two nights camp at Sandnya Srushti. Looking to the majority opinion the tentative date for this two night camp was fixed for 7th Feb.2012. Members were up beet about raising funds for the purchase of additional bus for Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha. It is not very important that they raise funds or go for picnic, it is all about their involvement and enthusiasm. I am more happy about the involvement of mothers. We feel satisfied that mothers of our students can also smile and take interest in other things also instead of only worrying. We feel this enthusiasm about life works as a energiser and that in turn helps in positive approach. And this positive approach is the key in the overall development of mentally challenged kid. This will also help in the actual rehabilitation process of mentally disabled. Gradually these members of Matrusangharsh are learning and realising the importance of thinking beyond their own grief. They are now trying to help other families also selflessly. In my opinion this is the most significant development in the attitude of these mothers. And this is the most valuable contribution made by the forum called as Matrusangharsh. This forum has brought out more change, and that is change in the attitude of fathers also. There are good number of parents of our students who come to me and accept that trustees of Sandnya are doing so much for the cause and that too selflessly, while we as parents are only taking things and not trying to give back in spite of the fact that you are doing so much for us. In my view, getting this thought in your mind and conscious it self is a big change. I wish if more number of parents change this way, rehabilitation of mentally challenged will not be as difficult as it looks today.
By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS.

Annual Programme- 20th Nov.2011

Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha celebrated its annual programme on 2oth Nov.'11 at Platinum Jublee Hall, Blind Relief Society, South Ambazari Road, Nagpur. Programme was presided over by renowned homeopath and President of Shree Narkesary Prakashan Sanstha, Nagpur. The chief guest was Rev. Swamy Vishnupadanand of Ramkrishna Mission, Aurangabad. The annual programme of SSS is a cultural cum awareness meet. The cultural items are presented by our mentally challenged students. The sole objective of the cultural event is to showcase the progress and ability of mentally challenged students. The audience number is estimated more than 8oo, a good number indeed. While as usual the comparing of the programme by Dr.Mrs Shailaja Deshpande was good, our students performed very well looking to the fact that most of them were severely and profoundly retarded. Many of them had multiple disabilities also. The effort of the programme organiser is always to bring maximum number of students on the stage through different events. It is not very important for us how best they perform, for us at SSS, we are keen on giving them opportunity to learn. They will eventually perform best to their ability that is for sure. If we do not give them opportunity, how do we know weather they can perform or not. Needless to say that audience is spell bound through out the programme time. They were involved by clapping rhythmically during the programme which of course encourages our students and staff as well.

By: Navin deshpande, Secretary, SSS

Mail: navindesh@gmail.com

Parent meeting - 12th Nov.2011

On 12th Nov.2011 the parent meeting was held in Mundle Hall, Andha Vidyalay, South Ambazari Road, Nagpur. It was scheduled at 2:15pm and opened in time. Total number of parents was about 100 and the hall was full. The main point on the agenda was briefing on Annual Programme which was done by our Principal Mr.Alok. After this briefing two parents put their experiences regarding preparation of their mentally challenged ward before going on journey or a planned vacation trip. They narrated their experience and other parents also shared their own views and ideas. While summing up the meeting Secretary of SSS expressed his pleasure on the good attendance and improved involvement of parents in these last subsequent meetings. He insisted that parents should open up in this forum, because these meetings are meant for them. Management is like a observer. SSS would be interested more in listening and advising less. We at SSS are happy not only for good attendance but for the punctuality also which is improving in every subsequent meeting. A positive sign indeed. During his concluding talk secretary appealed to parents to invite and bring at least 5 guests for this annual event. He continued saying that it is necessary to bring more number of people from the society for such programmes so that awareness regarding this problem of mentally challenged can be created which will eventually help in their rehabilitation. Mentally challenged can not be successfully rehabilitated unless society at large supports this cause. That is why awareness amongst masses is very important.
By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS

Annual programme

On 20th Nov.2011 SSS has its annual programme at Platinum Jubilee Hall, Blind Relief Society, South Ambazari Road, Nagpur at 5:30pm. This is a annual feature and our students, staff and all our donors anxiously await for this. A outsider if witness the practice session of cultural events will not believe that these very children will perform so well on the Dias on the D-day. In fact over the years, these so called mentally challenged develop stage daring and start understanding rules of the game. Clapping after each presentation by audience is a real encouragement to our students and their parents as well.

All our donors and well wishers are cordially invited for this programme. This is awareness cum cultural event. Through cultural items we try to showcase the ability of our students. Many times even parents do not believe that their ward has these skills or he can perform so well. So come and witness yourself and be a party to encouragement.

By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS

email: navindesh@gmail.com

Project verification visit by ASHA, USA

Akshay Bhole, treasurer of Asha for Educaton, USA, paid a visit to Sandnya Srushti on 2nd Nov. 2011. Every year at least one Asha member visits the project to which they are supporting. Asha For Education is an organization which is US based and is a not for profit organization. Most of Asha members are Indian students in US, there are of course working Indian also who continue to remain their members and support the cause. The sole objective of Asha is to support NGO's back in India who are working in the field of education and vocational trianng.

Thus Asha is supporting Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha since last more than 7-8 years. They did good amount of funding for our revenue expenditure in the past apart from helping us building infrastructure like building expansion and having our own transport. They have a simple funding procedures and need a simple feedback report. Asha's funding is really NGO friendly. Mr. Akshay Bhole was with Secretary of SSS for about 2-3 hours in the Sandnya Srushti campus. He went through the new building complex which is recently being completed. He also went to our "Starcirclip" rehab unit and was very much impressed. Since our special school is on Diwali vacation he could not meet our students but could interact with "Starcirclip" rehab unit students. Through this comunication I on behalf of all trustees of SSS wish "Asha" members a HAPPY DIWALI! Peacefull New Year and thank them for their selfless support to this noble cause of mentally challenged.

By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS

email: navindesh@gmail.com