Who We Are
Founded in 1975, Deep Griha Society was started by husband and wife Rev Bhaskar Onawale and medical practioner Dr Neela Onawale. With the help of likeminded friends, DGS began operations in July that year.
Dr Neela started a one-room clinic from their family home, providing primary health care to residents of Pune's Ramtekadi slum. Within two years, the clinic was receiving more than 100 patients every day. Dr Neela quickly realised that inadequate nutrition was the root cause of many of her patients' problems. She began an education and nutrition programme, giving community members the knowledge to maintain their own health.
Serving the needs of the community
Since then, Deep Griha (Marathi for 'Light House') has developed many programmes designed to empower the disadvantaged, giving people the skills, confidence and support they need to improve their lives. One of our aims is to always ensure that our funds are spent where they are most needed. With this in mind we have been responsive to the changing needs of the community, and to the work other organisations so we can avoid duplicating services.
Today, Deep Griha has centres in three slum areas in Pune - Tadiwala Road, Ramtekadi and Bibwewadi. Additionally, Deep Griha runs two rural projects - City of Child (at Kasurdi village) and Vidyanagari (at Chaufula village).