THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
MUMBAI,
NOVEMBER 1, 2026
Reliance Foundation
Founder and Chairperson Nita Ambani on Sunday announced the establishment of a
100-acre inclusive township near Mumbai, envisioned as a lifelong home for more
than 5,000 people, including orphaned children, senior citizens and persons
with developmental disabilities.
Named Nita
Mukesh Ambani Anant Ashray, the proposed not-for-profit initiative will
come up at Karjat and aims to create a self-sustaining, family-oriented community
where people in need of lifelong care can live with dignity, security,
compassion and a sense of belonging.
Nita Ambani performed
the Bhumi Pujan and groundbreaking
ceremony at the proposed site on Sunday, marking the beginning of an initiative
that will be developed in phases, subject to necessary approvals.
Rooted in Reliance
Foundation's philosophy of 'We Care', the project seeks to go beyond
conventional institutional care by creating a vibrant residential community
where healthcare, education, rehabilitation, recreation and employment
opportunities are integrated into everyday life.
Speaking at the
ceremony, Nita Ambani said the initiative was a beginning very close to her and
her family's heart and reflected their desire to build a loving home for
persons with disabilities, children in need of a family and senior citizens
seeking care and comfort.
She envisioned a
community where compassionate care and medical support would go hand in hand
with the warmth of family life, allowing residents to live close to nature and
enjoy opportunities to learn, work, make friends and participate in festivals
and celebrations.
"As a mother, my
deepest hope is that parents who have spent a lifetime worrying about who will
care for their children when they are no longer there can find peace in knowing
that their child will always have a home and a family of their own," she
said.
Nita Ambani added
that the initiative aspired to give every individual, irrespective of age or
circumstances, the opportunity to live with dignity and look forward to each
new day with hope.
Envisioned as a home
away from home, Anant Ashray is expected to accommodate over 5,000 residents.
Along with caregivers, medical professionals, support staff and their families,
the township is projected to support a larger community of approximately 15,000
people.
The township will be
designed as a neighbourhood rather than a conventional care institution, with
residents living as members of a community instead of being treated merely as
patients. It will feature residential homes, streets, a temple, a hospital,
playgrounds, gardens, farms and workshops.
People will be
accommodated in small, family-style homes supported by dedicated house parents
and caregivers. The homes will be designed to provide familiarity, comfort and
personal space, with residents encouraged to decorate their rooms with
photographs, favourite colours and cherished belongings.
An individualised
care and development plan will be prepared for every resident in consultation with
them and their families. The plans will cover healthcare, education, skill
development, employment, social relationships and personal well-being, with a
dedicated key worker coordinating support. These plans will be reviewed at
least once every six months to ensure that care evolves with individual needs,
from childhood through old age.
The proposed township
will comprise eight residential villages, each named after a sacred Indian
river. Every village will have a distinct colour, symbol and sensory garden to
help residents identify their surroundings and navigate the community with
greater ease and independence.
A major focus of the
initiative will be comprehensive healthcare and specialised support for people
with developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy and complex
medical conditions requiring continuous attention.
The proposed
facilities include a specialised hospital offering developmental medicine,
epilepsy care, special-needs dentistry, palliative care and comprehensive
medical services. Advanced rehabilitation facilities will provide
physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and hydrotherapy.
The township will
also feature inclusive sports and recreational facilities, with opportunities
for music, art, creative expression and sensory experiences. Its educational
ecosystem will bring together special education facilities and a mainstream
school for children of the township's employees.
An animal
companionship farm, developed with the expertise of Vantara, will enable
residents to build meaningful relationships with animals through guided
interactions.
Vocational training
and employment will form another important pillar of the initiative. A bakery,
café and craft studios are proposed to help residents acquire practical skills,
earn wages and experience the dignity and independence associated with
meaningful work.
The project will also
incorporate family respite homes and mobile medical clinics to extend support
to families in neighbouring districts. A national training academy is proposed
to strengthen India's disability-care workforce through specialised training
and capacity-building programmes.
A dedicated hospice
wing and garden of remembrance will provide compassionate end-of-life care in a
peaceful and dignified setting.
Beyond its
residential facilities, Anant Ashray is expected to serve as a resource centre
for the surrounding region. Its temple, hospital, sports facilities and cafés
are envisioned to be accessible to neighbouring villages.
Approximately 1,000
people from the region are expected to benefit from therapy, education and
employment opportunities, while thousands more could access respite care,
outreach initiatives and community healthcare services.
The initiative also
seeks to address the challenges faced by families who have devoted years to
caring for loved ones with disabilities, often without access to specialised
medical facilities, trained caregivers or adequate respite services.
For parents concerned
about the future of children who require lifelong assistance, the township aims
to provide the assurance of a permanent home supported by professional care,
medical expertise and a nurturing community.
By bringing together residential care, specialised healthcare, inclusive education, rehabilitation, recreation and livelihood opportunities within a single township, Nita Mukesh Ambani Anant Ashray seeks to establish a comprehensive model of lifelong care and inclusion.
At its core, the initiative envisions a community where no one is left alone, every individual is valued, and people of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to live with dignity, purpose and the enduring assurance of a home of their own.
