How One Mother's Grief Became a Lifeline for Thousands in Need

Shital Bhatkar has dedicated her life to helping others through two key initiatives. She founded With Aarya in 2010 to raise awareness about Niemann-Pick C disease. Her work expanded with Don Ghas, which provides free meals to patients and their caregivers. Bhatkar’s journey began after her son Aarya was diagnosed with Niemann-Pick C, a rare storage disorder, at just 18 months old. Due to limited diagnostic facilities in India, the family had to send his samples to the Netherlands for testing. Despite losing Aarya in 2015, she continued her philanthropic efforts.

With Aarya was initially a solo mission but later gained support from individuals and organisations. The initiative now assists patients at KEM Hospital by providing wheelchairs, funding tests, and supplying medical essentials.

Don Ghas started small, distributing 50 food packets daily. Today, it serves around 1,200 meals every day across five government-run hospitals in Maharashtra. Both initiatives are now run by a team of volunteers who work selflessly.

Veetika Deoras, SVP-Brands & Marketing at The Indian Hotels Company Limited, has publicly praised Bhatkar’s work and its impact on the community. Bhatkar’s initiatives have grown significantly since their inception. With Aarya and Don Ghas now provide vital support to patients and families in need. The efforts continue to expand, driven by a committed group of volunteers.