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Overview

Family caregivers are the unsung heroes in the disability ecosystem navigating complex systems, providing daily support and advocating tirelessly for their loved ones. Yet they often remain invisible, under-resourced and excluded from decision making processes. Saathiyan Fellowship recognises that caregivers possess invaluable lived experience, meaningful community connections and, most importantly, untapped leadership potential.

Saathiyan is a 12-month fellowship programme by Nayi Disha for caregivers of children and adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities to support and execute their ideas for the disability community. Through this fellowship, we are offering selected caregivers, from Tier 2 and 3 cities of Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, an opportunity to work at the grassroots level, gain skills in leadership and community building to help improve the lives of those with disabilities. By deliberately focusing our fellowship in these areas, we're investing where local leadership is most critical and where caregiver-led solutions can create the most transformative impact.

Three pathways to community transformation

Advocacy

Mobilise public support and driving policy change that addresses systemic barriers faced by families and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Awareness

Shift perceptions and build understanding to inform and educate a target audience on specific issues concerning individuals with IDDs.

Community

Fostering connections and facilitating support networks to create mutual solidarity and communication within family caregivers communities.

Fellowship journey

  • Expert-led training
    Virtual workshops on community building and engagement, facilitation skill, goals setting, measuring social impact, project management and more.
  • Personalised mentorship
    Year-long guidance from experienced disability sector leaders who provide strategic advice and problem-solving support.
  • Cohort learning
    Regular peer group sessions where fellows share challenges and best practices, troubleshoot obstacles, and build a lasting professional network
  • In-person immersion
    Two intensive gatherings February 2026 (orientation) and December 2026 closing ceremony) that deepen relationships and strengthen the fellowship community
  • Project Implementation Support
    Strategic guidance to develop and execute projects that extend beyond the fellowship timeline

Meet the 2026 Saathiyan Fellows

Kodamunja Kishore Kumar
तेलंगाना
Nizambad
Sirsavada Pavani
तेलंगाना
Rangareddy
Yamun Sahu
Chhattisgargh
Balod, Gunderdehi
Nibedita Kar
झारखंड
जमशेदपुर
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Gitanjali Kumari
Chhattisgargh
Adityapur
Prerana Vishwakarma
उतार प्रदेश।
प्रयागराज
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Manikya Shyalaja
तेलंगाना
Mechal
Aboli Sagar Mane
Maharashtra
कोल्हापुर

Re-Imagining the Future: Saathiyan Fellowship Objectives

Build Vibrant, Self-SustainingCaregiver Communities

Develop thriving communities that are anchored in collective action and shared purpose towards advocacy, awareness, peer support and champion inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, while continuing to grow in strength and impact over time.

Develop Local Leaders and Community Champions

We empower caregivers into becoming trusted changemakers by equipping them with leadership skills, confidence to turn their idea into reality, and sustain existing initiatives rooted in local needs and lived experiences.

DriveAwareness and Catalyse Change in the Community

Educating the community and shifting the narratives about intellectual and developmental disabilities across critical systems like healthcare, education, employment and public participation, while creating an inclusive environment for those individuals, which in turn, improves the well-being of caregivers.

Join Us in Building a More Inclusive India

Through Saathiyan we are building a grassroot movement to transform how millions of families get their voice and recognition in the healthcare system and disability inclusion. Every fellowship cohort will create a ripple effect that extends far beyond individual projects, building the leadership infrastructure necessary to transform communities and an inclusive society.
Partner with us or support us to turn caregivers into change agents, and change agents into a movement.
For partnership inquiries and program support, write to us at: contactus@nayi-disha.org

पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्न

A fellowship is a defined program awarded to qualified candidates and provides training, mentorship, network building, financial support, and experiences to support specific fields.

Saathiyan fellows will be required to ideate a project that addresses either advocacy, awareness, or community for caregivers of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities that will in turn transform the localised community and improve the well-being of caregivers within.

No. Only one idea per fellow will be executed during the program.

The fellowship is built with a caregiver’s responsibilities in mind. Therefore, all training sessions will be conducted online as well as mentor meetings and peer circle groups. There are only 2 in-person meetings during the program: orientation and completion of the program to establish relationships and celebrate milestones. With that said, it is required that fellows can commit to 6-8 hours per week for the duration of the program.

No, a fellow will not pay a fee once selected for the Saathiyan Fellowship. Fellows will be given a monthly stipend during the program.

A Saathiyan Fellow is a caregiver who wants to use their lived experience to support many families in their community. A Saathiyan Fellow has seen the early struggles and desires to guide new parents and create inclusive spaces for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A Saathiyan Fellow knows that every challenge is different in this space, but with the right support and accommodation is confident that every child/adult can thrive.

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