CHARITABLE PROJECTS
Revenues generated from the Chitnavis Centre are channelised towards many social projects which are managed by the Sir Gangadharrao Chitnavis Memorial Medical Research Trust.
PRANAV
Pranav Early Intervention Center was started in 2010 to empower young children with hearing impairments and equip them with skills to help them cope with the world outside and live as normally as possible. Children begin their learning journey with us from a young age during their initial formative years so they can later join a regular primary school for their 1st standard. The maximum accepted age is two-and-a-half years, and children can begin as young as 18 months of age.
Our teachers are highly qualified and are trained at Balvidyalaya, Chennai- the School for Young Deaf Children & Institute for Teacher Training, Chennai. They receive a Diploma for Teaching Young Hearing Impaired (DTYHI).
Pranav follows the curriculum and teaching program of Balvidyalaya. The schooling is done in Hindi or Marathi and involves teaching both the parents and the children. The training aims to develop the child’s verbal language using teaching aids and toys.
AKSHAR
It has been observed that children who hail from less privileged backgrounds often miss out on properly grasping basic concepts of English and Mathematics. Research indicates that a majority of children, predominantly from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, are barely able to read, write and calculate after even 4 years of primary schooling. Unless they understand these concepts at the right age, they may miss out on several opportunities in life.
With this objective in mind, Akshar, a school-after-school initiative for underprivileged children began in the year 2013. Through this initiative, we aim to improve literacy, cognitive skills, communication skills, and other soft skills in our children so they can fulfill their educational potential and become responsible citizens of the country.
Lastly, the Trust also organizes Health Checkup camps, educational visits, picnics, and other fun outings for the children.
CMCA
Children’s Movement for Civic Awareness (CMCA) is a pioneering non-profit organization in India, dedicated to transforming young Indians into conscientious, thoughtful, and actively responsible citizens. Founded 20 years ago, CMCA’s mission is to foster an inclusive and sustainable India by engaging young people in educational institutions and communities through experiential programs that teach citizenship values and life skills.
In 2010, Sir Gangadharrao Chitnavis Trust initiated CMCA’s activities in Nagpur, starting with three schools. Since then, Sir G.C. Trust- CMCA has expanded its reach and now engages approximately 1,000 students in grades 7 and 8 across nine schools with our team of 26 enthusiastic volunteers, who conduct weekly sessions covering a range of crucial topics throughout the year. Change and Development, Health and Hygiene, Child Rights, Local Government, Gender Equality etc. By making citizenship education a part of educational policies and practices, Sir G.C. Trust- CMCA strives to make a long-lasting impact on the nation’s future, ensuring that young Indians are equipped with the values and skills necessary to build a better, more inclusive, and sustainable India.
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
Visually Impaired: We are not just limited to teaching but strive towards the all-round development of anyone who accesses the resources we provide. Our competitive exam coaching helps not only students in Nagpur but students across the country.
At our Trust we offer a range of courses specially designed to equip visually impaired youth with essential skills these courses include:
- Computer Classes : To enable visually impaired youngsters to keep up with rapid changes in technology and varying job-market requirements, we use a special software that converts text to speech.
- Coaching for Competitive Exams: We have experienced faculty members who provide expert guidance, valuable insights, tips, and strategies to tackle different sections of the exam factually and logically.
- Massage Training : Youth with visual impairments have an incredible sense of touch. Our training helps students to pursue careers in the wellness industry. This course is conducted in collaboration with Baidyanath Life Sciences.
- Tele-calling BPO Voice Classes: This is a Delhi’s NIIT Foundation certified training which prepares candidates for jobs in the customer service.
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
Manjiri : – To empower women and to help them participate in the growth and development of India, Manjiri Trust was started by Ms. Sheila Ghatate, Former Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women along with some others. The first President of Manjiri was Mr. Bipin Patel, grandson of the Late Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. These projects were taken over by Sir Gangadharao Chitnavis Trust in April 2009 and we have continued to run these projects, garnering a more and more enthusiastic response each passing year.
Sewing Class :- This project aims to give skills in tailoring, bag making, and fashion design for women so they can self-sustain. Embroidery sessions are also taken from time to time for them. We started sewing classes in 2019 so that women can live with dignity and earn money themselves.
BEAUTY PARLOUR :- Chitnavis trust continually endeavors for holistic development of underprivileged & marginalized women. To achieve women empowerment, it is important to focus on economic independence, literacy and self-confidence. Thus, we started the Beauty Parlor classes in 2021 to equip women with any skill they may to start offering their own parlor services or work at a salon. We also teach students how to apply mehendi as a part of our parlor course.
MEDICAL RESEARCH
From 2012, we started conducting several sessions on the administration of CPR for nursing students from different colleges and hospital staff across the city, and also taught basic First Aid.
We started an initiative in 2023 to ensure reliable access to proper healthcare for people belonging to the poorer strata of society. We visit slum areas regularly and go door-to-door to explain our purpose of visit, understand their requirements and what kind of checkups they think would benefit them. We also conduct several health checkups and awareness camps, including-
- Cancer checkup
- Overall health awareness
- Orthopedic checkups
- Menstrual health checkup and awareness
- Breast cancer screening and awareness
- Filaria awareness
- Blood Pressure, Sugar, Cardiac health assessment
- Sessions on health and hygiene
- General wellness checkup
- Eye checkup
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Late Madhavrao Chitnavis Scholarship (Financial Assistance Scheme)
Like our other projects, the financial assistance scheme was also introduced with the objective of making education accessible to everyone despite their social and financial background. This project aims to reduce the number of school dropouts and ensure that financial barriers do not stop capable children from achieving their true potential.
Before a child receives benefits from this scholarship, our staff conducts home visits to assess their quality of life and make sure the money goes to a person in need. Those who do receive this scholarship have their school fees, tuition fees and uniforms provided for by the Trust. In 2024-25, we have impacted the lives of 136 students through this scheme. Benefactors include students from various projects run by the Trust, like Akshar and Pranav, and students in need who belong to other schools or colleges.
Children’s Movement for Civic Awareness (CMCA)
The Trust has been running the CMCA program in schools in Nagpur from June 2010. CMCA is an innovative program designed to foster and nurture active citizenship in school children. Students learn about democracy, citizenship, civic and environmental issues. Starting with three schools, this program is run in 8 schools of Nagpur with 915 members and has a group of 40 self motivated volunteers.
Early Intervention Centre for Hearing Impaired Children
The Trust set up ‘Pranav’, an Early Intervention Centre for hearing impaired children in 2010. The objective is to develop verbal language skills and motor co-ordination in hearing impaired children and integrate them into the first standard in a regular school by the time they are 5 or 6 years old. The school has 24 children today. 7 children have successfully graduated from the school and joined regular school.
Children’s Library & English Classes at Chitnavis Wada
The Trust runs a children’s’ library at the Chitnavis wada in Mahal. The library stocks books from school textbooks to novels, comics and magazines. Books are available in three languages- Hindi, Marathi & English.
Other activities like Art & Crafts workshops, mehendi classes etc. are organised out in the library for children & women of the community. Various competitions, camps & awareness programs are conducted on regular basis.
Vocational Training
The Trust regularly organises vocational training programmes for women. These include tailoring, embroidery, mobile repairs, craft, medical attendant training, etc.
Women’s Placement Centre & Computer Classes
We help women from the economically weaker section find suitable employment. The Trust runs an employment exchange which brings together potential employers and women who need employment. The Trust does not involve itself in any financial transaction but only facilitates the process.
The Manjiri Trust which was running the placement centre and computer classes became part of the Trust in 2010. Talks and workshops on women’s issues such as health, women’s’ rights, etc are organised on a regular basis.
Computer classes and Stitching Classes
Computer classes are held on a daily basis at the Chitnavis Wada for women and children. Students are taught to use Tally and Word processing.