Mrs. Jyotsna Ajit Kulye has been selected as this year’s recipient of Aastha’s “Super Mom” Award.

Aastha Social Foundation Ratnagiri, a nonprofit organization dedicated to persons with disabilities, presents the “Super Mom” Award every year on International Women's Day. The award consists of a shawl, coconut, memento, and a cheque of ₹5,000. This year’s award recipient is Mrs. Jyotsna Ajit Kulye. Originally from Umarad, Guhagar, and married into Govil, Lanja, she moved to Mumbai after marriage for livelihood. In 2007, she gave birth to her elder son, Devesh. However, doctors diagnosed him with a spinal condition. Devesh underwent 14 minor and major surgeries but was unable to stand on his own feet. Despite these challenges, Jyotsna stood strong with the support of her family. Initially, she enrolled him in a special school, but recognizing his intelligence, she later admitted him to a regular school. Every day, she carried him to school, seated him in a wheelchair, waited there throughout the day, and brought him back home after school. Seeing her dedication, the school principal offered her an opportunity to teach kindergarten students, which she accepted and excelled at despite having studied only up to the 10th grade. During the lockdown, she moved with Devesh to Beni village in Lanja taluka, Ratnagiri district, where her husband Ajit Mahadev Kulye worked at Dhanawade Nursery. Even after the lockdown, they decided to stay there and enrolled Devesh in New English School, Lanja. With continued effort, including daily travel to school by rickshaw, Devesh passed his 10th standard with 74% marks. As Devesh also has hearing difficulties, he was admitted to T.P. Shetye Junior College for Commerce in the 11th grade. Recognizing the determination of both mother and son, he received the “Udaan Divyang Scholarship” for 11th and 12th grades. He has appeared for his 12th board exams this year. In recognition of Jyotsna’s relentless efforts, determination, and motherhood in raising her 85% multi-disabled son into a capable and self-reliant individual despite immense challenges, Aastha honored her with the “Super Mom” Award at her residence. Notably, she has received strong support from her mother-in-law, Mrs. Mandakini Mahadev Kulye. On this occasion, Aastha’s Secretary Mrs. Surekha Pathare, Mr. Sanket Chalke, Ms. Hasna Nevarekar, and Mr. Alhad Pathare were present.

Dhiraj Sathavilkar has been selected as this year’s recipient of Aastha’s Divyang Prerna Award.

On the occasion of World Disability Day, the Divyang Prerna Award, presented by Aastha Social Foundation Ratnagiri, a संस्था dedicated to persons with disabilities, was awarded to talented artist Dhiraj Rajendra Sathavilkar during a program organized by Zilla Parishad Ratnagiri. The award was presented at the hands of Vaidehi Ranade, Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Parishad Ratnagiri. The award included a cheque of ₹5,000, a shawl, a coconut, and a memento. On the dais were District Disability Empowerment Officer Sunita Shirbhate, Executive Engineer of the Ratnagiri Construction Department Biraje Madam, Education Officer Kiran Lohar, Advocate Dhurat, and Secretary of Aastha Social Foundation Ratnagiri Surekha Pathare. Notably, Dhiraj created a portrait of Vaidehi Ranade using his feet and presented it to her on this occasion.

Honorable Vaidehi Ranade, Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Parishad Ratnagiri, inspected the work of Aastha.

As per the guidance of Tukaram Mundhe, Secretary of the Disability Welfare Department, inspections of organizations working for persons with disabilities are being carried out under the leadership of Vaidehi Ranade (IAS), Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Parishad Ratnagiri. Accordingly, on Friday, 28/11/2025, a committee led by the Honorable Chief Executive Officer inspected the work of Aastha Social Foundation Ratnagiri, an organization actively engaged in disability rehabilitation in Ratnagiri district. The committee reviewed the ongoing initiatives such as the Disability Helpline, Aastha Therapy Center, and the Mobile Hearing Screening Unit, and expressed satisfaction with the work being carried out. The committee included District Disability Empowerment Officer Sunita Shirbhate and Medical Social Worker Sanjay Baladhye along with the CEO. The organization’s Secretary Mrs. Surekha Pathare, Mr. Sanket Chalke, and Mrs. Sampada Kamble provided detailed information about the organization to the committee.