Asha Niketan was founded in 1970, in affiliation with L'Arche international, as an inclusive community, where people with and without intellectual disabilities share life together. We seek to model a way of life in which vulnerability is embraced, enabling each member of our community to experience a true sense of belonging, dignity, and the freedom to love and be loved.
"L'Arche shows the world not only a new way of seeing persons with intellectual disabilities but also a new way of being human. Through friendship with people with special needs and living in community, a person realises his or her essence, his or her humanity.”
Jason Greig, Reconsidering Intellectual disabilities
Who We Are
Asha Niketan is a home of hope where people with and without intellectual disabilities live together, sharing their work and their lives with one another. At Asha Niketan we seek to transform peoples lives by creating an environment of fellowship and belonging which empowers each person to develop his or her gifts. We celebrate the unique value of every person and recognise our deep need for community. Our friendships and our trust in God lie at the heart of all we do at Asha Niketan.
Asha Niketan provides a home to around 15 men and women with intellectual disabilities, which is shared with assistants and volunteers. The Community also provides day program and outreach program opportunities. Helping people to learn valuable skills and participate in meaningful work is an important aspect of life at Asha Niketan. The vocational training and therapeutic activities which are offered in the community help enable the core members grow in confidence.
Asha Niketan – FMR India is an affiliated member of L’Arche, an International Federation of communities throughout the world where people with intellectual disabilities (core members) and those who share their lives (assistants), in family style homes, with workshops and day care-centres. Initiated in France in 1964, there are now 156 communities in 38 countries around the world.
In India, L’Arche is a registered Society – FMR India (Fellowship with Mentally Retarded) and is an affiliated member of the international federation. The communities under FMR India are known as Asha Niketan (Homes of Hope). Our community in Bangalore was the very first one started in 1970. Today there are five further communities located in Kolkata, Chennai, Nandi Bazar (Kerala) and Asansol (West Bengal). Each of the communities is governed by a local Governing Council consisting of men and women who voluntarily give their time and skills and are committed to the members of Asha Niketan.
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Make known the gifts of people with intellectual disabilities through mutually transforming relationships.
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Foster and environment in community that responds to the changing needs of our members whilst being faithful to the core values our founding story
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Engage in our diverse cultures, working together towards a more human society.
Our community is a place of healing and the celebration of life. We are held together by our mission to welcome and respect all people no matter their age, culture, language, ability, or religion. Regardless of their different stories, their needs, fears, dreams and hopes.
Our Mission Statement
Our Identity
We are people with and without intellectual disabilities
Sharing life In Communities Belonging to an International Federation.
MUTUAL RELATIONSHIP and trust in God are at the heart of our journey together
We celebrate the UNIQUE VALUE Of every person and recognize our need for one another.
Leadership at L'Arche
L’Arche is not a typical organisation with a top down management structure. Instead, we are committed to the concepts of servant leadership and subsidiarity: wherever and whenever possible decisions are taken by those who they affect most. People with disabilities play a vital role in this process. L’Arche International is legally incorporated in France, and governed by a 9 member International Board. Executive leadership is exercised by two international leaders. With the support of a small international team, they are responsible for maintaining the unity and spirit of L’Arche, and shaping the overall direction of the Federation through the provision of training, communication tools and personnel, administrative and financial back-up. In each country where L’Arche is established, we seek the official recognition for our work by the state, each community operating autonomously as a member of the International Federation of L’Arche.
