Who We Are
A 50+ year journey of standing with India's most marginalised communities — from one home in Katra to five states and beyond.
From One Act of Kindness to a Movement
Navjeevan Community Development Society works for the upliftment of marginalised communities in remote parts of rural India. Our inspiration traces back to 30th October 1972, when our founder Mrs. Lilly Vargis arrived in Katra, Jammu & Kashmir, and began teaching the children of manual scavengers in her own home.
Today, NCDS runs four core projects — Literacy, Empowerment, Medical, and Disaster Relief — across Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Jammu & Kashmir, and beyond. Our focus has never changed: empower women and children through education, healthcare, livelihood skills, and a helping hand in crisis.
Meet Our Founder →Vision, Mission & Core Values
Our Vision
Empowered, self-reliant communities in every remote corner of India — where every child learns, every woman earns, and no family is left behind in crisis.
Our Mission
To empower women and children in marginalised rural communities through free education, accessible healthcare, livelihood skills training, and rapid disaster relief.
Our Values
Dignity first. Service without discrimination. Transparency with every rupee. Presence on the ground, not promises from a distance.
Leadership & Field Team
NCDS is powered by teachers, organisers, doctors, and zonal leaders who live and work in the communities we serve.
Dr. Babitha Kallemel
Lead, Navjeevan Free Surgery Programme. MBBS (Government Medical College, Kottayam), MD Family Medicine (Tulsa, Oklahoma), with clinical experience in Minnesota, USA.
Robina Tandon
Field Organizer since August 2018, coordinating tuition centres and community outreach on the ground.
53 Teachers & Zonal Leaders
Our Hindi Zone leadership in Madhya Pradesh coordinates 53 teachers who deliver free tuition six days a week across rural India.