Our Founding
The National Society for Clean Cities, India - Children’s Complex (NSCC-I) was established in 1972 by Begum Zehra Ali Yavar Jung, wife of the then Governor of Maharashtra, Nawab Ali Yavar Jung. Alarmed by the worsening living conditions and lack of sanitation in Mumbai’s slum colonies, her goal for the project was to provide children from these communities with excellent pre-primary education that prioritised civic participation and a commitment to keeping the city clean. She loved children and believed in their potential to be agents of change in society and was determined towards making them caring citizens.
She garnered support from stalwarts like JRD Tata (a founding Patron of the organisation), Keshub Mahindra, Jamshed Bhabha, Dr Syedna Burhanuddin Saheb, municipal officers, among others to establish the NSCC-I. In addition to the Children’s Complex in Kherwadi, the NSCC-I also has centres in Khar and Ghatkopar run by the YMCA and operating with the same core mission of service to the community. The NSCC-I is registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860 and the Bombay Public Trust Act of 1850.
Our Work
Fifty years on, the NSCCI Children’s Complex has blossomed into a veritable oasis in Kherwadi, Banda East. This year we had 400 children from the neighbouring slums between the ages of three and five enrolled at the Complex, where they are taught by our team of dedicated teachers with an emphasis on imparting a value-based education. Animated story telling, music appreciation, singing are a part of the curriculum quite apart from a nutritious mid-day meal and milk. They also have access to a medical dispensary, all in a clean, green and nurturing environment.
In addition to the core pre-primary curriculum, the Complex offers a variety of classes for older children including art, computers, remedial tutoring, Kathak and Tabla. Vocational training courses for Women of the slum communities include tailoring, fashion design, mehendi (henna application), spoken English and a beautician training course.
Our values
Our Founder spearheaded an 11-point Caring Citizenship program in 1972 that underpins the curriculum to this day.
- -Integrity
- -Courage
- -Consideration for others
- -Respect and observance of rules and regulations
- -Courtesy
- -Respect for the property of others particularly that belonging to the country
- -Cleanliness, both personal and of one's environmental
- -Respect for the religion, language and customs of other different from one's own
- -Dignity of labour and pride in one's work
- -Appreciation and conservation of nature
- -Understanding and compassion for people with disabilities
Our Alumni
In the 50 plus years since its founding, the NSCCI Children’s Complex has played an integral role in the lives of over 10,000 children. These children have gone on to become conscientious members of society and professionals in a number of fields including teaching, the police force and other professions.
