Build a Group home for 200 Indians with Autism

It's been said, “Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.” The Ambar family took that quote way too seriously. 

To relax in the midst of nature, wildlife, and luxury with best buddies is pretty much a scenario that we all crave. On a short trip to Jim Corbett, we did just that when we embarked on a journey with our friends to the raw and untamed forests of Jim Corbett.

This year we went to Jim Corbett National Park in March. As the news came, all were assigned certain duties with the thought of making it smooth and predictable for our autistic individuals. From writing social stories to marking everyone's calendar, to making a work system, to sensitising the staff, from buying and packing the snacks, to packing bags and essentials for the residents. 

 We started our journey from Ananda around 6:15 in the morning and reached Jim Corbett around 2:30 in the afternoon. We couldn’t stop giggling as we sat on the bus. The atmosphere was all cheerful. We played antakshari, sang songs and laughed to make the most of this time together. We just took one halt on our journey. We stopped at a roadside dhaba which is famous for its scrumptious paranthas and variety of fritters. We relished parantha with curd and kullad chai. We then relaxed for a while and headed for further journey. After sitting for hours on the bus, we were about to reach our destination and saw the breathtaking view of mountains along with the river from the window. We opened the window to feel the fresh air on our faces.

Whether it’s a day trip by bus or a late evening journey, the idea of going somewhere different—no matter the distance—excites our individuals on the spectrum like nothing else.

We reached the hotel, rested for some time and had tea and snacks. Pretty soon, all our buddies engaged themselves in enjoying and observing the mesmerising sunset.

Next morning, after a hearty breakfast, our buddies decided to check out the nearby Kosi river. They sat on the banks of the stream, simply revelling in the company of the cool, crystal clear water and their picture-perfect surroundings. The view of the Kosi river was mesmerising and adults with autism couldn't stop appreciating and clicking photographs. After having a great time by the stream, we returned to our rooms.

After relaxing for some time, we got dressed and headed toward the much-required hi-tea, DJ night and dinner afterwards. The evening was all lit with light, sound, dance and a lot of laughter. To stand still on music was impossible for these energy bundles, so they rocked the floor in their best. The energy, the smile on their faces said it all. Later that evening, we retired to our rooms but were not at all tired from the same and planning for the next day.

On the last day of our trip, we all woke up a little late. We had breakfast, packed our stuff and checked out of the hotel for our return journey to Gurgaon. While on our way, the bus drove through lush green landscapes and dense trees, while we hoped all the way to spot a tiger! but we came across many swamp deer, monkeys, rabbits and a lot of beautiful birds. On the lookout for wild animals, various streams and lush green forests in the surroundings caught our attention. On our way, we were taken to the famous Garjiya Devi Mandir. It was really good to see the residents praying wholeheartedly. After the temple visit, we headed out to the local market in Ram Nagar where we roamed around the market eating ice cream, having nimbu soda and indulging in shopping. After spending some time hopping around the localities, we headed back to Gurgaon. We took halt on our way back and stopped by Gajraula for a much-awaited snacks, chai and crispy fritters. Later that evening, we stopped by a dhaba for dinner. Finally, we came back to our home, Ananda!!!

Trips can be a great way to bond with friends, and to explore new places. For autistic individuals, road trips can be particularly beneficial as it provides an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while being surrounded by familiar people. It is also the best way to break one's monotonous routine and experience life in a different way. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience for all involved. Our residents had an opportunity to explore the environment in a safe and comfortable setting while also allowing them to connect with nature on their own terms. Also, an environment which is calm and stress-free allows residents to be relaxed and enjoy their time away from home.