03 February,2010 09:05 AM IST | | Vivek Sabnis
Tejomay devotes time to mentally and physically-challenged
Professor Sameer Desai (30), founder of NGO Tejomay, says his group exists to help those in need. "When a small lamp is lit, it brightens every corner in the life of a common man,' says Desai, a professor at the Vishwakarma Institute of Management. "I started Tejomay with like-minded friends like Chinmay Kelkar, Rahul Navale, and Shailesh Kante. The driving force is my cousin Dr Satish Desai, former deputy mayor, PMC, who started Tridal and Punyabhushan Foundation in Pune.
Motivating students
"Tejomay was started in 2000, for providing financial aid to needy students and to help senior citizens in old-age homes,' said Desai. "We want to motivate students by getting eminent educationists, psychologists and industrialists to discuss issues close to their hearts. We organise cultural programmes for old age homes,' Desai explained.u00a0
Tejomay has also coordinated with other groups to help out Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited customers, who had problems with their power bills.u00a0 "Under the guidance of Desai ji, we are actively working towards sorting out such issues,' he added.u00a0
Tejomay's latest initiative is the 'Jai ho andolan' that will involve extending assistance to mentally and physically-challenged patients affected with diseases like Parkinsons and Progeria. "We will organise a fun-filled event that will showcase dances, plays, mehendi designs, as well as magic shows,' said Desai.
Tejomay celebrates Rang Panchami with children. "Our motto is: We can and will make a sea of difference inu00a0 society', Desai said.
To join, call Professor Sameer Desai on 9665051299
