Delhiites, the next time you find yourself craving chatpata pickles, refreshing squash or beautiful handmade paper bags during the festive season, just head to Muskaan. No, this is not an ordinary store but a centre that gives incredible opportunities to adults with intellectual disabilities. Ordinary products are made extraordinary by these people who prepare a range of food items and decorative pieces, with simplicity in their hearts and a wide smile on their faces.
Welcome to Muskaan!
Muskaan Foundation Set Up In 1982 By Shanti Auluck
Muskaan Foundation in Dwarka, Delhi is founded by Shanti Auluck in 1982. This foundation aims to provide vocational training and opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities. Muskaan supports and informs their families about their condition while raising awareness in society about their disabilities and their rights. Shanti Auluck started Muskaan Foundation through her experiences with her own son, Puneet born with Down Syndrome. She revealed to Business Standard that at Muskaan they don’t just impart vocational skills but let individuals reach their fullest potential and improve their quality of life.
Muskaan Provides Vocational Training & Opportunities To Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities
When her son, Puneet was born, Shanti Auluck was traumatised. But today, her life as a parent has transformed and Puneet has become her best friend and biggest support. Puneet initially worked as a member of Muskaan’s training programme that offers placements. But later he chose to be independent and started working in a hotel. Despite getting the comforts of shorter hours and less money at Muskaan, he wanted to be independent and earn more money. In Shanti Auluck’s words to Business Standard, individuals with intellectual; disabilities should also have the freedom to decide their course of life.
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Purchase Delicious Bakery Goodies & Gifting Items
Muskaan campus true to its name will certainly bring a smile to your face. Over 140 individuals with varying degrees of functioning come here every day for training. The bakery section has a bright airy kitchen, with smiling adults happily baking bread, cakes, muffins and cookies. From measuring dough, rolling, frying crispy mathri to packing them, they do all this and more with a help of a trainer. The Muskaan workers also prepare fresh lemon squash and homemade pickles like aam and nimbu achaar. The recipes are simplified and the dishes are certified. Each activity is divided into a series of graded tasks to increase complexity.
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Muskaan Aims To Spread Smiles
To make the festival season a special one, visit Muskaan’s gifting unit. Here, diyas are handpainted by these extraordinary individuals. Paper bags are decorated with sequins and beautifully coloured candles are handmade with care and ofcourse a sweet smile. Muskaan Foundation truly proves that if given the right opportunity anyone can live, work independently and rise to challenges. So, the next time you wish to go shopping for festivities, we suggest you make your day a special one by visiting Muskaan.
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