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Reliance Foundation, one of the largest corporate and philanthropic organizations in the country, has launched an unprecedented social initiative to bring a new dawn of hope in the lives of the deprived, neglected and helpless sections of India. Announcing a grand social welfare project, Reliance Foundation Chairperson Nita Ambani has clarified that the organization is going to build ‘Anant Ashray’ on a huge green plot of 100 acres. This huge complex will not be a traditional orphanage or old age home with just brick-cement buildings, but will be a holistic, self-reliant and sensitive community shelter where orphan children will get the support of their parents, destitute elderly people will get the respect of their loved ones and the disabled people will get all the modern facilities required to live a dignified and self-reliant life under one roof. In the fabric of Indian society, when the weaker sections are becoming the victims of maximum neglect due to the disintegration of joint families and modern lifestyle, this humanitarian step taken by Nita Ambani is being seen as a new example of social consciousness and philanthropy across the country.
To bring to life the vision of ‘Anant Ashray’, a vast area of 100 acres has been master-planned specifically keeping in mind the human needs and natural balance. The main objective of the project is to provide an integrated security cover to the three most vulnerable components of the society—orphaned infants and adolescents, neglected elderly and persons with disabilities facing physical or mental challenges. According to Nita Ambani, this complex will be based on the triangle of compassion, security and dignity. Every person living here will not only get a shelter and two meals a day, but will also be made to feel that they are an integral part of a big, vibrant and love-filled family. In this 100-acre campus, eco-friendly residential blocks, pollution-free open environment, organic farming gardens, yoga and meditation centers, and safe walkways will be built, so that no person feels confined within the four walls.
The most beautiful and emotional aspect of this ambitious project is the model of ‘inter-generational co-living’. It is often seen in the society that orphanages and old age homes run in different corners, where children yearn for family affection and elders yearn for the play and belongingness of their grandchildren. In ‘Anant Ashray’ a shared community model has been created to bridge this gap. The destitute elders living here will play the role of grandparents to these orphan children, telling them moral stories and sharing life experiences. At the same time, the laughter and energy of innocent children will eradicate loneliness, depression and mental emptiness from the lives of the elderly forever. This emotional harmony will provide a safe family environment to the children and will give the elderly the satisfaction at the last stage of life that they are still useful and respected by the society.
‘Anant Ashray’ is being completely designed on international standards of ‘universal accessibility’. This simply means that the entire complex will be 100% wheelchair-friendly, ramp-equipped and equipped with Braille signage, so that persons with visual impairment or locomotor disability will not have to depend on anyone else. On the healthcare front, Reliance Foundation will set up a super-speciality geriatric hospital and pediatric care center within the complex. Along with this, a state-of-the-art rehabilitation and physiotherapy center will also be operated, where disabled children and youth suffering from autism, cerebral palsy or other musculoskeletal problems will be rehabilitated through advanced hydrotherapy, speech therapy and robotic assisted devices. A 24-hour team of emergency doctors, trained nurses and psychologists will be present on the campus so that any health crisis can be dealt with immediately.
In her address, Nita Ambani laid special emphasis on the fact that the children and youth coming to ‘Anant Ashray’ will not just be given shelter and abandoned, but they will be made capable of standing on their own feet. For this, an excellent school inspired by the educational standards of Dhirubhai Ambani International School will be established within the campus, where state-of-the-art facilities of digital classroom, science labs, art and sports will be available. A dedicated ‘Skill Development and Vocational Training Hub’ will be created for the youth after they complete 18 years of age and especially for the differently-abled. Here training will be given in practical skills like computer programming, data entry, handicrafts, hospitality, baking, gardening and digital marketing. With the collaboration of various Reliance Group companies and other corporate partners, these trained youth will be linked to mainstream employment, so that they can proudly become independent citizens and shape their future.
Following the global success of the 3,000-acre ‘Vantara’ project for animal welfare, conservation and rehabilitation in Jamnagar, Gujarat, ‘Anant Ashray’ is being considered as the biggest extension of the Reliance family’s unwavering commitment to human service. While Vantara brought glory to India across the world by giving life to injured and exploited wildlife, ‘Anant Ashray’ is a pledge to wipe the tears of those helpless humans of the society who have become homeless due to fate. Social analysts believe that it is a rare example on the world stage for an industrial house to build an integrated humanitarian shelter on such a large scale, going beyond the scope of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This project shows that the ultimate goal of economic prosperity should ultimately be the service of the weaker sections and social upliftment.
The foundation stone of this huge complex to be built on 100 acres will be officially laid soon and it is targeted to be fully implemented in a phased manner within the next 24 to 36 months. Reliance Foundation will run this entire project under the guidance of a high-level steering committee comprising eminent child welfare experts, social workers, geriatric care professionals and disability consultants from India and abroad. The admission process will be kept completely transparent, fair and in accordance with the guidelines of the District Administration and Child Welfare Committees (CWC), so that the benefit of this shelter reaches only the truly needy person. This bold and compassionate announcement by Nita Ambani has not only lit the flame of new life in thousands of destitute lives, but has also given a clear message to other industrial groups and capable citizens that real progress is that which can bring a smile on the face of the last person in the society.