Dr Shanta Vaidya, Memorial Foundation

Institutions are no less important than the participation of individuals in ensuring social development. The organisations always play an important role in the development of the nation. Individuals and their institutions decide the destiny of development. Dr Shanta Vaidya Memorial Foundation is also one such organization which has enhanced national pride in the human army.

Dr Shanta Vaidya Smriti Nyas is a voluntary organization registered under the Vambe Public Trust Act. This trust works together with boys and girls. This organization provides financial support to students who have learning difficulties and ensures that they get suitable education. This voluntary trust was established in 2011 in Pune and works in districts neighbouring Pune and Maharashtra.

The sole aim of this institution is that those who are weak in learning and comprehensive powers should be trained to learn. Such opportunities of creativity should be developed within them so that they can enrich their lives. 10-13 per cent of school going children are dyslexic. They have below average learning, remembering and reading abilities. This institution develops that potential through proper channels. Dyslexia is an impairment in which a child is weak in reading and comprehension despite adequate opportunities to learn. In this impairment, the child is not able to recognize the images received by the brain or eyes. It can’t even be said that due to defects in the eyes or mental retardation, children get trapped in this kind of problem. These kids are creative enough. It just needs to be identified at the right time.

Today, due to the increasing population and population density, teachers and parents are unable to pay special attention to their children, nor are they able to identify why the child’s interest in learning and reading is less. Teachers and parents are only able to know that the child is lagging behind academically but are unable to find out why this is happening. Smriti Nyas fully cooperates with the guardians and teachers in this attempt. It’s the aim of the Trust that after identifying such children, their concerns should be eased as soon as possible. The help of programs can be taken. For instance, capacity can be increased through “inventive and innovative teaching methods”. The goal can be easily achieved by organizing many activities and remedial education.

Along with this, such children can be helped through awareness raising workshops, support groups and counsellors through parents or guardians. While the goal of sensitization and empowerment can be achieved by using innovative methods through teachers. Overall, it’s not inconsistent to say that if the parents and teachers work together, the future of such children can be ensured. Considering its moral and social responsibility, this Trust is working for the prospect of these children.

The Trust has built its training system to help such children and achieved success in it. It has many phases. First, at the level of the children, the work is done to awaken the teaching and learning process of the children. Second, at the level of parents, sensitizing parents towards their children, and improving their condition through self-help organizations. Thirdly, at the level of teachers, to increase the interest of children by using innovative methods. The fourth stage is related to the administrative realm, in which positive energy is communicated to children with the help of administrative units. Conclusively, the last stage is related to the government, in which health and education are restored in children by implementing many government schemes. Keeping these contexts in mind, this beloved works on many dimensions. Working on these dimensions the trust has benefited 10,000 children with the help of 1390 teachers and 1000 parents.

For the year 2018-20, this organization has started the ‘Synergy’ Project with the help of RBL Bank, which is to work for the development of learning and memorizing abilities in children. In September 2015, seeing this work of the Trust, it was honoured by the Lioness club on Teachers’ Day. Further, for keeping the essence of human service intact, they were awarded the name ‘Yeoman Seva’. Again, in 2017 this Trust was honoured.

Along with these works, the trust has other prominent accomplishments as well. With its efforts and dedication, the trust has achieved many dimensions. There is a project of the Government of India in which such children are identified and empowered. This is known as the ‘Dyslexia Assessment for Language in India’. This trust has tried to do this project in the Marathi language. Furthermore, after identifying the children with dyslexia they sent recommendations to the S.S.C. board, to make efforts for their development. Also, they tried to provide facilities to such children during the examination. This has now been accepted by the board as well.

This trust has tried to remove such a serious issue in society by identifying it. It must be heartily thanked for that. Seeing this empathy, the ‘Sant Eshwer Foundation’ has selected Dr Shanta Vaidya Memorial Foundation for the ‘Sant Eshwer Seva Samman’ for the year 2019.