ASHA NIKETAN Bangalore: A celebration of life and hope

Asha Niketan located in the bustling locality of Koramangala is one such organization that believes that every life needs to be celebrated.   Based on the premise that every difference must be respected it has successfully created a community of hope where differently abled men and women are not only given a life of dignity but is also involved in empowering them to be independent.  It is not only a place of healing but also community of hope for people who are often rejected by family and society.  Here men and women from diverse backgrounds, religions and even different physical and mental abilities are looked after based on their needs thereby giving them the much-needed hope and strength to develop and share his or her talents.

Background and History

Asha Niketan – FMR India is an affiliated member of L’Arche, an International Federation of communities throughout the world that was founded by Jean Vanier in France in 1964.  L’Arche , today is an organization that has 152 communities in the form family style homes, workshops and day care centres where people with intellectual disabilities (also known as coremembers) are given a new lease of life.  In India, L’Arche is a registered Society – FMR India (Fellowship with Mentally Retarded) and is an affiliated member of the international federation. The communities under FMR India are known as Asha Niketan (Homes of Hope) and today there are five communities located in Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Nandi Bazar (Kerala) and Asansol (West Bengal).

Started way back in October 1970, Asha Niketan, Bangalore has been growing steadily with a clear focus on building inclusive communities of relationship and transformation where people with and without intellectual disabilities share their lives together.  Located in Koramangala since 2000, Asha Niketan provides residential and day care services for adults living with mental disabilities and other associated challenges. It has one residential unit for 14 male adults and 2 female adults who are mentally challenged and vocational training facilities for 22 adults that include both men and women who are in the age group of 20-67 years.

Vocational Training

Vocational training units or sheltered work as it is called here, is an integral element in the life of Asha Niketan’s members. According to them, work is an important part of society facilitating the exchange of resources as well as a source of creativity and positive relationship. It is quite common that members have grown up with low self-esteem and have often been perceived as a burden.  But at Asha Niketan, empowering such individuals and providing them an opportunity to work and take responsibility is paramount and has several positive outcomes. 

The vocational training includes candle making, loom work, bead work, embroidery, paper craft, bamboo craft and horticulture.