RUN for FUN - our pilot Charity Run project

The charity run organized by Nirmalya Trust on 5th December 2010 was a huge success. Over 200 t-shirts printed for this event were sold at various locations to raise funds for the NGOs work.

Apart from fund raising, the event served as a wonderful platform for several new supporters of the trust, young and old alike, to interact and participate with the physically challenged.

The differently-abled candidates of the trust, along with volunteers and supporters, covered a total distance of 2 kms on the day of the race. Using the buddy-system, each candidate was accompanied by one or more volunteers.

It was rather interesting to see some of the visually impaired RUNNING in certain sections.

Other serious runners, who had supported the event by purchasing our t-shirts, were seen among the crowd assembled on race day.

If you wish to have one of our eco-friendly 100% organic cotton shirts, please write to us at info@nirmalyatrust.org.

RUN for FUN @ Pune International Marathon

Nirmalya Trust invites you to join out team at the Pune International Marathon 2010. We wish to make this a charity run, to raise funds for our work. This is how it'll work:

You buy a t-shirt at a donation price of Rs.1000/- only. Then we all get together on the day of the run, and we RUN for FUN!

If you want a certificate in any category, feel free to register yourself. For details, log on to http://www.marathonpune.com/ .

PLEASE GIVE US YOUR CONFIRMATION OF PARTICIPATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE; visit our office on Bhandarkar Road. This'll give us enough time to get the t-shirts printed. In case you're not interested in donating, you're still welcome to purchase just the t-shirt at its regular price and join us for the run. We'd love to have you join us!

In case you don't want to run, you can join us and accompany one of our physically challenged persons as far as she/he can go. It'll be great motivation for them.

For more information on Nirmalya Trust, see http://www.nirmalyatrust.org/.
Call - 9422525812
Email - nirmalyatrust@rediffmail.com

Mobility and Dignity for Paraplegics

Nirmalya Trust recently celebrated its annual get-together.Every year this is a day for fun for all the differently-abled persons who are a part of Nirmalya Trust.Students sponsored by Nirmalya, candidates working at Sunkisd Plant Nursery and Taruvar (paper bag unit), the two vocational training centres run by Nirmalya, as well as others who have been placed in various jobs by the Trust come together, catch up and relax.The Visually Impaired, Hearing Impaired, Spastic and others all interacted with each other.In a unique way, the Hearing Impaired and the Visually Impaired played 'musical chairs' together; their companionship was reflective of their comfort level.
This year (on August 7, 2010) Nirmalya presented 2 Activa scooters fitted with invalid carriages (side-wheels) to 2 paraplegic candidates - Shekhar Mahandule, a D.Ed student and Ramesh Hadavale, a caretaker in a school.

This initiative was taken up 4 years back.On observing the biggest hurdle for a paraplegic, mobility, Mrs. Meena Bedarkar, the founder of the Trust, set the wheels in motion (literally!).
The Trust chose those candidates who would put the vehicle to good use as well as maintain them.
Dilip Kale, the first person to receive the two-wheeler taught typing to students in his village.His income was barely Rs.1500/- per month.Today, because of the two-wheeler he is able to commute wherever he pleases.He now works as an LIC agent.Mobility has brought stability, self sustainability and dignity.
Sunita Walekar and Nilesh Khodaskar also have similar tales of comfort.
There are many others who are waiting for Nirmalya to help them.
Nirmalya depends on support of society. Each vehicle costs Rs. 60,000/- with side-wheels, registration, helmet, transportation, other fittings and accessories.
Hasan, a diploma holder in I.T. (with distinction) is our next candidate.
His parents are day labourers at construction sites.They have educated all their four children well.Unfortunately Hasan lost his older brother (his educational support) in a road accident.After a gap and inspite of a traumatic year of sorrow and acceptance, Hasan passed his exams with distinction.He wants to pursue his studies but financial restrains have forced him to work.
A young boy in his twenties struggling with such determination deserves our support.
Let us all get together to help a cause which will uplift those who literally crawl if not given support!

'Maher' now available in Braille

At a press conference at Patrakar Bhavan, Pune on Monday 22nd March 2010, Nirmalya Trust launched the 1st edition of the Braille version of 'Maher'. Maher is a Marathi monthly magazine known for its quality reading material. The monthly issues and especially the Diwali edition is the first choice of the Marathi reading population all over the world.

Mrs. Meena Bedarkar, founder and managing trustee of Nirmalya Trust, handed over the first Braille copy of the Maher March 2010 “womens day special” issue to Mrs. Swati Chitnis, owner of Menaka Prakashan.

With the total cooperation of Mrs. Swati Chitnis, the visually impaired will now have access to this rich heritage every month. The cost of printing the magazine in Braille is approximately Rs.360/- per issue. However, Nirmalya Trust will print the Braille version every month and make it available to all interested persons/institutions, absolutely free of cost. To make this distribution possible, Nirmalya Trust is looking towards society for financial support.

At the press conference, Mrs. Swati Chitnis announced that soft-copies of books published by Menaka Prakashan over the years will also be made available to Nirmalya Trust for transcription into Braille.

Dr. H. V. Sardesai's Books available in Braille

The visually impaired will now have access to expert advice on health and fitness given by renowned physician Dr. H. V. Sardesai.

Nirmalya Trust, an NGO working for the welfare of the physically challenged has made this possible by transcribing Dr. Sardesai’s books into Braille.

In a small and informal function, 3 books – “Aarogyachi Watchal”, “Aarogya – Samasya aani Upchaar”, and “Aarogya aani Jeevanshaili” were released by Dr. Sardesai at his residence on Thursday 18th March 2010 evening.

Mrs. Meena Bedarkar, Managing Trustee Nirmalya Trust and Mr. Joshi of Utkarsh Publications were present at the time of the release.

Dr. Sardesai received a demo of the Electronic Braille Reader from a visually impaired candidate of Nirmalya Trust.

Nirmalya is an organization working towards making the life of disabled persons useful and enjoyable. We are a non-profit organization concerned with the welfare of the physically disabled. Our primary purpose is to generate employment for the physically challenged.

No matter what line of work we choose, integration of the physically challenged into the mainstream is absolutely essential – because we live in the same world! We need to change paths, create awareness and give every disabled person a chance to become a productive member of society.

Through this blog, we wish to keep you informed about our work. We are working on several projects for which we conduct various activities throughout the year.

We hope to have your continued participation and help.

The Nirmalya Trust Team