The foremost among them was to develop a group home rehabilitation complex where facilities for long-term residential care and rehabilitation will be available to persons with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. Side by side it was also agreed to provide facilities in the complex for senior parent couples to stay there to provide the much needed love and affection to these special persons. These parents will also oversee the activities of the complex. The complex will have facilities for vocational training and sheltered workshop. A day-care centre will also function which will be attended both by the residents and the neighourhood.

The Group Home idea came from the parents of persons with intellectual disabilities who were haunted by the question ‘AFTER US WHAT?’. They decided to take this idea forward. Few of them bought a piece of land in Arshinakunte, near Bangalore to build a home and live together with their children at one place. Later they had a better idea to serve a bigger cause. They had a vision. ‘Why only for our children? Why not for many more?’ They discussed this idea with their Association, the Karnataka Parents Association For Mentally Retarded Citizens [KPAMRC], formed 32 years ago.

KPAMRC welcomed the idea with an open heart and developed a project prole to accommodate 50 persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities on long term basis. The estimated cost of the project was Rs. 3 crore.

• The project was launched in 2005 and four units have been completed. One unit out of the four, provides facilities for women / ladies to reside exclusively and another has facilities for vocational training and a day care centre.
• Residential facilities are also available for the staff to stay separately and have some free time for themselves. Thee central kitchen and the dining hall have also started functioning.
• Today in all 25 young adults - men & women - are residing at Vishwashanti Niketan. Ten persons from the neighbourhood are attending the day-car centre.
• All these residents are engaged in useful activities at Vishwashanti Niketan. “A Home Away from Home” and leading a contented life.
• Among the activities at Group Home being conducted at present, residents are being trained in candle making, and mat making, cardboard box assembling, screen printing, envelope making.
• For expanding these activities KPAMRC has a plan to set up a paper cup and plate making unit. These micro commercial activities will fetch income for the residents through the sale of products produced by them.

KPAMRC – JEENA SERVICE CENTRE INAUGURATED

KPAMRC – JEENA SERVICE CENTRE at the Vishwashanti Niketan – Group Home Rehabilitation Complex [GHRC], Arshinakunte near Nelamangala, Bangalore was inaugurated today (20th January 2008). The centre will house the vocational training unit, sheltered workshop and the day care centre for persons with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities residing at the Group Home Rehabilitation Complex and the neighbouring villages. The centre has also has facilities in its parents residential unit to accommodate three parent couple to oversee the activities of the centre and to provide much needed love and affection to the residents.

Dr. R Srinivasa Murthy, Retd. Professor of Psychiatry, NIMHANS inaugurated the Service Centre. Prof. Edwin, Dean (Academic), St. Joseph’s College of Business Administration who presided over the function.

The complex - 'Vishwashanti Niketan' is being developed in Arshinakunte about 25 kms away from Bangalore, in rural setting. Hopefully this complex will become the forerunner for the establishment of many more such complexes all over the country. The establishment of this complex in a way answers the vital question of a parents 'What after us?', by providing a home away from home.

GROUP HOME REHABILITATION COMPLEX
VISHWASHANTI NIKETAN
SUNDERNAGAR, OPP. TO WATER TANK,
GEJAGADA HALLI ROAD,
ARSHINAKUNTE, NELAMANGALA,
BANGALORE.
Tel: +91 93413 79910, 93434 81998, 93436 23960