Girija Welfare Association Kharghar
Nestled in the planned, leafy lanes of Sector 12, Kharghar, Girija Welfare Association stands as a beacon of hope. Established in 2004, this NGO has grown from a small initiative into one of Navi Mumbai’s most comprehensive social care organizations.
Unlike typical NGOs that focus on a single demographic, Girija bridges generations-providing a home for orphaned children, a sanctuary for abandoned seniors, and care for patients battling stigmatized illnesses such as HIV/AIDS and Cancer.
The Visionary Foundation: How Trombay Inspired Change
The story of Girija Welfare Association is deeply personal. In the late 1990s, Mr. Vasant Kunjar, Founder & President, worked at Nirmaya Niketan, an HIV/AIDS hospital in Trombay. He noticed a heartbreaking truth: while patients received medical care, their children-often healthy but stigmatized-were left with nowhere to go after their parents passed away.
Determined to make a lasting difference, Mr. Kunjar, along with Mrs. Sumitra Kunjar, established Girija in 2004. While Mr. Kunjar provided the vision and resources, Mrs. Kunjar brought a maternal, gender-sensitive approach, ensuring that Girija felt like a home rather than an institution.
Location & How to Reach
One of the best things about Girija Welfare Association is its prime yet peaceful location. Nestled in Sector 12, Kharghar, behind the Mini Market and near Shivaji Chowk, it’s easy to find but tucked away enough to feel private and safe. GPS coordinates: 19.0322, 73.0645.
Connectivity by Train
The nearest station is Seawoods-Darave on the Harbour Line. From there, a short auto-rickshaw ride of about 5-10 minutes takes you directly to the NGO. The upcoming Navi Mumbai Metro stations like Kendriya Vihar and Pethapada also bring the location closer to students and office-goers, making public transport even more convenient.
Connectivity by Road
Sector 12 is well connected via Palm Beach Road and other main roads, allowing easy access for cars and taxis. Auto-rickshaws from nearby sectors make the last-mile commute smooth. Parking is available on local streets near the Mini Market, though arriving early is recommended during peak hours.
Bus Connectivity
Public buses connect Prime Mall to several parts of Navi Mumbai and beyond. Routes passing through Kharghar make it accessible for people coming from Belapur, Panvel, and even parts of Vashi.
Bus travel here is functional, not fancy. Students, office workers, senior citizens. Everyone uses it. And because Prime Mall is close to main internal roads, getting down at the nearest stop does not feel inconvenient.
Airport Connectivity
While the Navi Mumbai International Airport is still upcoming, its development has already changed how people perceive Kharghar. Prime Mall, being relatively close to the Panvel and Ulwe belt, is expected to benefit indirectly once airport operations begin.
For now, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport remains the primary option, accessible via road in about one to one and a half hours, depending on traffic. Not ideal, but manageable.
Institutional History & Leadership
Girija Welfare Association was formally incorporated in 2004, at a time when Navi Mumbai was growing as a planned city but social safety nets lagged behind. The NGO’s inception was deeply personal for Vasant Kunjar. His work at Nirmaya Niketan HIV/AIDS Hospital in Trombay exposed him to the harsh reality of children left orphaned after losing parents to stigmatized diseases. These “nowhere children,” as he saw them, needed more than food or shelter-they needed guidance, love, and hope.
Supporting him in this mission is Mrs. Sumitra Kunjar, described as the “pillar of strength.” She brings a gender-sensitive approach, overseeing health, nutrition, and daily care, ensuring children and seniors are not only safe but genuinely nurtured. Together, they form a dual-leadership model that blends administrative efficiency with familial warmth.
The human story here is compelling: two individuals, their hearts driven by personal experiences, built an institution that continues to impact hundreds of lives across Navi Mumbai.
Services & Facilities - Where Care Meets Community
Walking through the Girija Welfare Association, it’s impossible not to feel the diversity of lives it touches. This is not just an NGO; it’s a multi-generational ecosystem of care, blending children’s education, senior citizen support, and specialized healthcare.
Girija Balgruha -A Home for Children
The Balgruha is the heart of the association’s pediatric work. Housing 30 boys aged 6–17, it provides more than just shelter. These are children often caught in “broken families” or left behind due to tragic circumstances. Each child is not just a resident but a story in progress-learning, healing, and building resilience.
The Balgruha emphasizes education and vocational training. Children receive support in basic academics, English language skills, and even digital literacy, bridging gaps that often exist in underprivileged households. Volunteers frequently organize “mind sharpness” sessions and games, making learning interactive.
One can imagine the laughter echoing through the halls during cricket matches or board game sessions, a small but powerful antidote to life’s hardships. It’s a space where care is personalized, avoiding the impersonal feeling often found in large institutions.
Senior Citizen Home-Dignity in Aging
While children find their foundation at the Balgruha, seniors find comfort and companionship at the Girija Old Age Home. Housing around 60 residents, many abandoned or financially vulnerable, the facility focuses on holistic care.
Medical aid is available 24/7, and residents engage in activities that keep both mind and body active. The dormitory-style accommodation, described as “cozy” by visitors, ensures a sense of community rather than isolation. Regular health awareness programs, like organ donation sessions in partnership with the MOHAN Foundation, keep residents connected to the larger social discourse.
Walking the corridors, one can almost hear the quiet hum of lives being respected, where each resident’s dignity is prioritized over bureaucracy or cost-cutting.
HIV/AIDS Foundation- Specialized Care
At the heart of Girija’s mission lies its commitment to children living with HIV/AIDS, aged 5-17. Social stigma makes these children difficult to place in conventional care, but at Girija, they find protection, medical monitoring, and nutrition tailored to support compromised immunity.
This is a space where empathy meets expertise. Staff track medications, nutritional intake, and overall health, while ensuring the children feel safe and loved, rather than labeled by their illness.
Cancer Care Foundation-Emotional and Financial Support
Finally, the Cancer Care Foundation addresses the catastrophic costs and emotional toll of oncological treatment. Beyond financial aid, it provides counseling and community awareness programs, promoting early detection and preventive care. Families struggling with treatment expenses find a shoulder to lean on here, and patients find dignity and hope amidst their battles.
Legal & Financial Transparency-Trust Built on Structure
One of the most critical aspects of any NGO is credibility. At Girija Welfare Association, transparency isn’t just a checkbox-it’s a foundation for trust, both for donors and the community.
12A & 80G Registration -Ensuring Legal Integrity
The association holds 12A and 80G certifications under the Income Tax Act. For most people, these may sound like technical jargon, but here’s why it matters:
12A registration exempts the NGO from paying income tax on surplus funds, ensuring that every rupee donated goes directly toward services.
80G certification allows donors to claim tax deductions-a win-win, because supporting a cause also benefits the donor financially.
ISO 9001:2015 Certification – Commitment to Quality
Beyond legal compliance, Girija is ISO 9001:2015 certified, a global benchmark for quality management systems. This is rare for grassroots NGOs and speaks volumes about their commitment to structured operations, standardized care, and continuous improvement.
From record-keeping to day-to-day operations, ISO ensures residents receive consistent care, volunteers have clear guidance, and donors can be confident that their contributions are properly managed.
PAN and Audit Practices – Accountability Matters
All financial transactions are linked to the association’s PAN (AAATG9963G), providing a transparent trail for compliance and audits. While full audit reports aren’t always publicly posted, maintaining 12A/80G status requires rigorous compliance, including regular audits and activity reporting.
This isn’t just bureaucracy-it’s a lifeline of trust. Donors, whether individuals or corporate, want to see that their contributions are impactful, and Girija’s financial practices provide exactly that assurance.
Visiting & Donating Guide- How You Can Be Part of the Story
Visiting Girija Welfare Association isn’t just about dropping off donations—it’s about experiencing a community in action. From the moment you step into Row House G-82, Sector 12, Behind Mini Market, Near Shivaji Chowk, Kharghar, you feel the energy of lives being cared for and nurtured.
Visiting the Facility
Transport: The easiest route is via Seawoods–Darave Station. From there, a short auto-rickshaw ride or walk brings you directly to the NGO. Buses from other Navi Mumbai sectors also stop near Shivaji Chowk.
- Visiting Hours: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM is the general window, but the best time to visit is between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM, avoiding meal and rest hours for residents.
- Landmark: The NGO is located behind the Mini Market—look for a row of homes with gentle activity; that’s Girija.
Stepping inside, you’ll see children engaged in learning, seniors enjoying activities, and staff coordinating care. It’s quiet, warm, and filled with a sense of purpose-a place where visitors are instantly part of the rhythm.
Donating – Making an Impact
Not sure what to bring? Here’s what’s genuinely useful:
For Children:
Notebooks, stationery, English educational aids
“Mind sharpness” games for cognitive development
For Seniors:
Adult diapers, essential daily medicines, dry ration kits
For the Facility
Detergents, soaps, disinfectants
Dry rations like rice, dal, atta, oil, sugar (preferred over perishable items)
Home-Cooked Food:
Can be considered, but confirm with staff first to meet hygiene standards.
Clothing Donations:
Old clothes are accepted and either used for residents or distributed to tribal villages in Shahapur (~90 km away).
Future Outlook - Growing with Compassion
As Navi Mumbai continues to expand, the demand for holistic social care is only going to increase. Girija Welfare Association is poised to meet this demand, driven by its proven model and resilient leadership.
Growth & Technological Integration
Looking ahead, the NGO plans to adopt advanced educational and administrative technologies. For children at the Balgruha, this could mean digital learning tools, coding classes, and interactive educational sessions, bridging gaps in literacy and digital skills. For administrative staff, technology could streamline record-keeping, volunteer management, and donor tracking, ensuring that every contribution creates maximum impact.
Expansion of Healthcare Services
The HIV/AIDS Foundation and Cancer Care programs may see further specialization, including more focused counseling sessions, community outreach, and preventive health programs. With rising awareness of chronic illness and social stigma, these programs will remain lifelines for vulnerable populations.
Sustaining Community Engagement
The human element will always remain central. Girija emphasizes consistent volunteer involvement and long-term donor relationships. The simple question from children, “Will you come here every day?” reflects a need for stability and ongoing connection, which the association continues to nurture.
Walking through Girija Welfare Association, you realize something profound: social care is not just resources; it’s relationships, consistency, and dignity. From the laughter of children to the calm of seniors, every life tells a story of resilience, hope, and human connection.
In a city that moves fast, Girija stands as a beacon of compassion, proving that with dedication, empathy, and structured care, even the smallest acts can ripple into life-changing impact. For Navi Mumbai, it is not just an NGO—it is a sanctuary where humanity thrives.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
