Ambitious Lifelong Care Township
Reliance Foundation has announced plans to build a 100-acre township near Mumbai, offering lifelong homes, specialised healthcare and comprehensive support to more than 5,000 vulnerable people. Named Nita Mukesh Ambani Anant Ashray, the proposed not-for-profit initiative at Karjat aims to create an inclusive community for orphaned children, senior citizens and people with developmental disabilities, addressing one of India's most pressing social challenges: ensuring lifelong care and dignity for those who need sustained support.
Reliance Foundation: A Broader Philanthropic Mission
Established in 2010 as the philanthropic arm of Reliance Industries Limited, Reliance Foundation is led by Founder-Chairperson Nita M. Ambani. It has reached more than 100 million people through programmes spanning healthcare, education, rural transformation, women’s empowerment, sports, disaster response, environmental protection, arts and heritage, and animal welfare.
Its approach combines social welfare with sustainable development, focusing on improving access to essential services, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for disadvantaged populations. Anant Ashray extends this philosophy into long-term residential care.
Anant Ashray: A Township Built Around Lifelong Care
The 100-acre development will be undertaken in phases, subject to necessary regulatory approvals. It is designed to accommodate over 5,000 residents through permanent housing, specialised medical facilities, education, rehabilitation and opportunities for personal development.
Its intended beneficiaries include individuals with cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy and complex medical conditions, alongside orphaned children and senior citizens.
Each resident will receive an individualised care and development plan addressing:
· Healthcare: Continuous medical attention and specialised treatment.
· Education: Learning opportunities suited to individual abilities.
· Rehabilitation: Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and hydrotherapy.
· Livelihoods: Skills development and suitable employment opportunities.
· Social well-being: Friendships, recreation, independence and meaningful community participation.
The project is also expected to support approximately 15,000 people when caregivers, healthcare professionals, support personnel and their families are included.
More Than Shelter: An Inclusive Living Community
A distinctive feature is its family-oriented residential model. Small homes with dedicated house parents and caregivers will replace the conventional institutional approach.
The township will also incorporate a hospital, schools, rehabilitation facilities, sports infrastructure, a temple and cafes. Planned medical specialisations include developmental medicine, epilepsy care, special-needs dentistry and palliative care.
Importantly, these facilities are expected to serve neighbouring villages as well, making the development an integrated community resource rather than an isolated residential complex.
Addressing India's Unanswered Question of Care
For thousands of families raising children with disabilities, a fundamental concern remains: who will care for their children when parents are no longer around? Anant Ashray seeks to address this uncertainty through permanent accommodation, specialised healthcare, education and compassionate support.
Turning Compassion into A Lasting Institution
If successfully implemented, Anant Ashray could establish a significant new model of institutional philanthropy in India. Its real achievement, however, will depend not simply on its scale but on sustained funding, professional caregiving, quality medical services and genuine social inclusion. Ultimately, the initiative represents an important shift from providing temporary assistance to building a lifelong ecosystem where vulnerable individuals can live with dignity, security and a sense of belonging.
(With agency inputs)
