Anjali, a Santacruz-based mother, runs an NGO and creative centre for adults with special needs (Photos Courtesy: Anjali)
At the age of 18, she encountered people with special needs while volunteering at a school. “While working with them, I fell in love with them,” Anjali says.
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With a background in fashion and textile design, she also pursued a special education course and worked in other organisations before starting Advitya, a creative centre for adults with special needs, in 2000.
Anjali’s daughter, who was born in 1989, used to accompany her to work since the age of one. “She grew up around people with special needs, and interacting with them came naturally to her,” the 62-year-old mother shares.
While Anjali found purpose in her work, her personal life was filled with challenges. She navigated a troubled marriage, fighting legal and financial battles. However, she continued approaching her work with the same zest, and also resolved to not let any bitterness enter her daughter’s life.
During this challenging time, her parents also became her source of strength. “My mother, who is 84, still supports my NGO and looks after the work in my absence,” she informs. While her 35-year-old daughter is now well-settled in Switzerland, Anjali continues to find joy in her work, and is now building a home for adults with special needs in Karjat, Maharashtra.
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