Sandip Is Working Tirelessly To Empower The Challenged In Maharashtra, Support Him

Taslima Khatun was in her late 50s when she lost her way one day and unintentionally ended up being very far away from her small village in Singur, West Bengal. Suffering from severe mental illness, Taslima didn’t know her way back, she got on a train that took her to Mumbai. 

“She could speak only Bengali and was not in a condition to find her way home. When the police brought her to us, she was in a horrible state. We brought her into our ashram and with proper love, care and medicines were able to cure her. Finally, she could tell the name of her village and with the help of our dedicated volunteers, we were able to get her home. Seeing the happiness in the eyes of her family members, I got emotional myself. It is moments like this that inspire me to do more,” - Sandip Parab, Founder, Jeevan Anand Sanstha.  

Like Taslima, 75 YO Vijay Jagtap was found near a bridge in Vakola and had absolutely no memory of his village of family members. Vijay was paralysed and helpless when he came to the Sanstha. It was with a help of a tattoo on his arm that had the name of his village that the team was able to reunite him with his family. Sandip has helped countless people just like this and is determined to do more with your support. 

Born into a poor family, Sandip was no stranger to pain and suffering 

Sandip had a difficult childhood - even two square meals seemed like a luxury at times. His father was a labourer at a mill in his village. Hardship and poverty were the way of life. Finally, Sandip was 24 when he came to Mumbai looking for work. Alongside doing odd jobs like car washing etc, Sandip was actively involved in social work. He worked in a number of organisations such as the all India women conference, and the committee for the right to housing (CRH), and served as a Project Manager at Lotus Eye Hospital in Juhu, Santacruz. 

“During all this, I saw the number of homeless people on the streets of Mumbai. They didn't have any clothes to wear or even a morsel of food. Pregnant mothers begging on the streets with babies in their laps. I wanted to do something for them - give them a life of dignity.” 

This led to the start of Jeevan Anand Sanstha in Mumbai and with sheer determination and hard work, Sandip gave a second chance at life to thousands of people in need. Some were abandoned, while others were too poor to afford food - some were physically challenged while others had severe mental health conditions. With multiple branches across Maharashtra, Jeevan Anand Sanstha became a safe home for all. Currently, Jeevan Anand Sanstha has 6 homes and 1 daycare centre. They cater to 225 people as a whole. 

The Sanvita Ashram, one of the several branches, was founded in a rented house at Padurtitha Taluk in Sindhudurg, Maharashtra on October 2, 2013. They have 62 members as of now that includes women, children as well as abandoned elderly. 

“We don’t differentiate between caste and religion - we only want to give these homeless and abandoned souls a comfortable place to live. We look after their dietary needs, and medicinal needs and also provide counselling services to those who need it. We want to help many more people in need. But it won’t be possible without your support.”

Support Sandip Parab in his mission to give the homeless a better life  

Sandip wants to help the poor and the underprivileged - that has been his motto all his life. But now as the needs keep increasing, he needs your support. You can donate groceries, medicines, toiletries, and an ambulance to help him. 

“Our ambulance is really old, we face so many problems with it, especially during a rescue. It would be so nice if we could get a new one. Along with this, the need for groceries, toiletries, medicines, etc is always there.” 

About the NGO: Founded by Sandip Parab, Jeevan Anand Sanstha is home to 225+ people in need. They’re poor and abandoned and have nowhere to go. Sanvita Ashram is a branch of the same organization in Sindhudurg - 62+ abandoned souls have found a safe home here.