An Article on Sanjan Home – Mid day dated March 28th 2004

Home for the mentally challenged opens in Sanjan, which is a town on the Maharashtra – Gujarat border, the Dilkhush Welfare Society’s Home for the mentally challenged is built with a degree of warmth and affection that outstrips even the mercury reading in the summer. Dilkhush Welfare Society, operates like a Parents Teachers Association. Dilkhush Welfare Society was formed more than 10 years ago by collecting a corpus fund through fund–raising drives and donations in order to realize one aim! To build a residential home for mentally challenged adults.

The Home is now partly operational and moving quickly towards completion. The Sanjan Home is built on three acres of land, with three buildings as part of the project. The first building comprises a living area with separate spaces for adult men and women. The second building houses recreational and dining room areas with games, television and a workshop where these special adults will be taught vocational skills. The third building has medical–administrative and office facilities. The first building on one acre of land has been complete since the beginning of the year, with living space for 20 special adults ready and space for another 60 is under construction. One of the parents said that though there had been a positive response to this project, people have to still take the plunge and place their children in the home.

The objective of this Home is to house adults where they will get the security and safety of their own home. Says Mr. Kashyap, When we are not there, we would like to think that these special children have a home with the same standard of living and care that we give them in our lifetime.

The Sanjan Home is set in tranquil surroundings, with a bed of greenery outside. The river Vairoli meanders past the facility. One would like to think it is this river that provided water to enable the seeds of hope to find fruition in the form of this home.

Mrs. Kini, mother to a mentally challenged girl and part of the Dilkhush Welfare Society, echoes popular sentiment, “When we close our eyes, we would like to do so knowing that these special children are not a burden on anybody, but living a life of dignity, in a home away from home”.

For more details contact:
Mumbai
Telephone: +91 22 28351791 or +91 22 28399661
Sanjan Home (on the Gujarat–Maharashtra border) is approx 2.5 hours by road/rail from Mumbai.

Users' Comments