Society in Pune
Pune has a diverse culture – it has over the years combined the old and the modern with relative ease without losing the essence of either. Being a fairly cosmopolitan city with an urban population and an educated society, Pune does not neglect its underprivileged, old and sick citizens. Dotting the entire city are a number of charitable organisations, old-age home, orphanages and NGOs that effectively help to care for the needy. These institutions work in areas of healthcare, education, rehabilitation and repatriation without expecting a monetary gain in the process.Sanmati Bal Niketan
Founded by the well-known social activist Sindhutai Sapkal, Sanmati Bal Niketan is a permanent residence
for orphaned children. A winner of many awards and known popularly as Maa (or Mother), Sindhutai has adopted many children and even begged at railway platforms to make ends meet for the needs of these children. Sindhutai is particularly active in fighting for the rights of orphaned children. Sanmati Bal Niketan currently houses over 300 children. Sindhutai has a number of other organisations operating around Maharashtra all for the sole purpose of looking after these children. They are:- Sanmati Bal Niketan, Bhelhekar Vasti, Hadapsar inPune
- Mamata Bal Sadan, Kumbharvalan in Saswad
- Mai's Ashram Chikhaldara in Amravati
- Abhiman Bal Bhavan in Wardha
- Gangadharbaba Chhatralaya in Guha
- Saptsindhu’ Mahila Adhar and Balsangopan Aani Shikshan Sanstha also in Pune
Location and Contact Information of Sanmati Bak Niketan
Behlekar Wasti, Near Vasantdada Sugar Institute, Taluka Haveli, Manjari Budruk, Pune, Maharashtra – 412307
Phone No.: 020 26999541, 26870403, 9881337914, 9371074256, 9326535224
Website: www.sindhutai.etinmyarea.com
Mauli Seva Sushrusha Kendra
The Mauli Seva old age home is located in Pune and was initiated keeping in mind the noble cause of looking after people who need constant care, medical attention and a safe environment. The Mauli Seva home is meant for senior citizens who cannot live with their families or are insolvent. Mauli Seva is a residential and medical facility that performs multiple functions while catering to the needs of the residents. It provides the services of a nursing home to their bed-ridden patients. The medical practitioners at Mauli Seva are trained medical professionals like doctors, nurses and therapists. Mauli Seva also offers short-term residential services for patients who require temporary care in their day to day life. They offer homely facilities like television, newspapers, books and festive food menus on Sundays along with short pinics thus ensuring their residents don’t feel alone or neglected.Location and Contact Information
Dr.Mrs.Pallavi Prashant Waman, 380, Shukrawar Peth, 2nd Floor, Nikhil Apartment, Shahu Chowk, Opposite Fadgate Police Chowky, Shivaji Road, Pune, Maharashtra - 416002
Phone No.: 9850425103
Website: www.mauliseva.com
The Poona School and Home for the Blind
The Poona School and Home for the Blind has done some pioneering work to help the blind people of
community. Over the last few years it has achieved tremendous success in striving to rehabilitate blind boys and girls as useful members of the society. A separate school for boys and girls has been established in different parts of Pune. Started in 1934 by Dr. S. R Machave who was an eminent medical practitioner of the time, the school also devotes time in establishing a vocational training centre for blind and otherwise handicapped women. Under the integrated education system, students are made to compete with sighted students and have been noticed to perform extremely well in the examinations. A number of recreational activities are also undertaken by this institute as well as the establishment of a Teachers Training Centre 18 years ago. The institute admits boys and girls from various social and economic backgrounds and does not discriminate between different the caste and creed of their students. The main objective of the school is to bring out the best in every pupil they admit according to his or her ability and strive to fully integrate them into society as individuals.Location and Contact Information
14/17 Koregaon Park, Dr. S.R. Machave Road, Pune, Maharashtra - 411001
Phone No.: 020 20753195, 26122686
Website: www.puneblindschool.org
E- Mail: admin@puneblindschool.org
NGOs in Pune
NGOs are mainly non-profit organisations that provide care for the elderly and work for the upliftment of children and women providing them with basic education and vocational skills to help them find work. Some of the more popular NGOs operating in Pune are as follows:
Rescue Foundation
Rescue Foundation is a non-profit organisation helmed by Mr. Balkrishna Acharya who was a revolutionary and always attempted to struggle against injustice and anti- socialist elements in our society. He started off by counselling young girls forced into prostitution in the red light district of Mumbai. Headquartered in Mumbai, with branches in Pune, this foundation works for rescue, rehabilitation and repatriation of victims of human trafficking mainly from different sections of India, Nepal and Bangladesh and sold for forced prostitution. Founded over eight years ago, this organised has achieved the organisational capabilities and experience to fulfil its duties towards the most neglected segment of our society. Rescue Foundation is also involved in a number of multifarious activities for rescuing, rehabilitating, reintegrating and repatriating the unfortunate, underprivileged girls back to human society. Rescue Foundation also provides special care for these girls at their institution since these girls require special attention and care not just limited to their medication. They also provide them with intricate counselling at every stage and an overall positive attitude towards life. Their well-being depends on the environment in which they stay. Because of their traumatic depression coupled with their HIV status, they develop suicidal tendencies as well. They make a thorough effort to ensure that the human rights of women are respected, protected and fulfilled.
Contact Information
Survey No. 87/26, Sayyad Nagar, Opposite Gitai Trading Company, Mohammedwadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune, Maharashtra – 411028
Phone No.: 020 26970904
Website: www.rescuefoundation.net
Navkshitij NGO
Contact Information
Near Z. P School, Near Alard School, Marunji Village, Kasar SaI Road, Hinjewadi, Pune, Maharashtra – 411057
Phone No.: 020 66491641
Website: www.navkshitij.org
Royal Rose Foundation
Royal Rose Foundation is a charitable trust, a child home for children inflicted with HIV/ AIDS and orphans. Their belief – WE CARE FOR YOU is accomplished through rehabilitating and educating these children. Royal Rose Foundation or Rose Balgram houses children between the ages of 6 to 12. The provide food, medicine and education for such children. In a society that does not easily accept children inflicted with HIV/ AIDS, Rose Balgram makes them self- reliant and confidant to save the world. They enable these children to live life in a better way. This organisation was started by a teacher by the name of Mrs Mascarenhas who used to teach financially strapped children from a little shop which inspired her to open an orphanage where the needs of these children would be fulfilled and they would get better education to maximise their potential as well as give them a permanent home for better living. They are on a constant lookout for volunteers and doctors to help them as they are not associated with any political or social support group.
Contact Information
Usha Kaal Housing Society, Bungalow No 5, Near Jai Mala Nagar, Sangavi, Pune, Maharashtra – 411027
Phone No.: 020 66825258
Bal Kalyan Sanstha
A centre for recreation and culture for disabled children, Bal Kalyan Sanstha, Pune was founded in 1979. Bal Kalyan Sanstha is buzzing with activity on every day. Government officials, social workers, teachers and volunteers work together in order to get the Sanstha up and running which is visited by approximately 1500 children on a weekly basis. Bal Kalyan Sanstha was founded when it was realised that even though the educational needs of disabled children were being met, but due to lack of funds and space, recreational needs were not being met. All day long, children are found to be participating in music classes, swimming in the pool or participating in competitive athletic and gym activities on the sprawling green playgrounds. Active participation in these activities helps in confidence building, independence and personality development. Bal Kalyan Sanstha has grown in popularity over the years and now is an important part of the disability community. With the guidance of specialized teachers, instructors and loving volunteers, disabled children visiting this centre are helped gain self- confidence and discover their own talents and vocational skills.
Contact Information
Near Raj Bhavan, Ganeshkhind Road, Ganeshkhind, Pune, Maharashtra - 411007
Phone No.: 020 25655953
Website: https://www.balkalyan.com
The Akanksha Foundation
An NGO with a mission to provide children from low-income communities with a high quality education, The Akanksha foundation was founded to enable these children to maximise their potential and transform their lives. Akanksha works in the field of education by initiating school reforms for their school project and also provides supplementary education through the Akanksha centres. Akanksha has a reach of over 25 centres and 15 schools in both Mumbai and Pune.
The Akanksha School Model
The School Project is a venture to open high quality schools serving children from low income groups. These schools collaborate with the local municipalities with a vision of creating small clusters of schools in these cities that can be used to impact the mainstream education system.
Akanksha Centres
To provide supplementary education to underprivileged children, Akanksha utilises under-utilised buildings for up to 3 hours every day for 5 days of the week along with highly-trained teachers and a group of dedicated staff and volunteers. The Akanksha curriculum and methodology is drafted with a view to fill serious gaps in the formal education system and strives to make learning fun through games and activities that involve interaction.
Contact Information
New Thermax House, Survey No 14, Opposite Voltas Building, Besides SAI Chambers, Old Mumbai Pune Highway, Wakdewadi – Shivaji Nagar, Pune, Maharashtra – 411003
Phone No.: (020) 66051380
Website: www.akanksha.org
Bharatiya Samaj Seva Kendra
Bhartiya Samaj Seva Kendra or BSSK was founded as an Indian Charitable Trust in 1979. The BSSK is headquartered in Pune with branches in Aurangabad, Sangli and Chiplun. The aim of this foundation is to provide welfare services to families and children in need irrespective of caste or creed, community or religion. BSSK is a non-political and non-profit making organisation aimed to secure the basic right of every child to family life. BSSK has initiated to help children from poor families thereby strengthening the family unit of the child. They also help deserving students pursue their education by providing them financial aid thereby preventing child labour and destitution. At BSSK, an endeavour is made to give children the best stimulation, nutrition, medical care, warmth, love and emotional security there is. Their main principle is to preserve and maintain a child’s birth family. BSSK makes concerted efforts to restore a child to its birth family when a crisis has been overcome. In the best interest of the child, the next best option is to find adoptive homes for the orphaned children. BSSK also helps Indian families adopt children with their first child being adopted in 1981. The process is strictly regulated with rules, regulations, guidelines and court directives. They strongly believe ‘Adoption is one form of building a family.’
Contact Information
Plot No. 373, Bertha Varada, North Main Road Lane No 6, Koregaon Park, Pune, Maharashtra - 411001
Phone No.: 020 26158002, 26159314, 26155331
Website: www.bsskindia.org