My life-long passionate mission of spreading love-light-hope and joy through cultural activities, especially music [like the fictional character Goopy Gayen], found a dream destination on the morning of 20 th June 2026, when we gathered to celebrate World Music Day with the ARDSI (CC) Family members at their daycare centre in Kolkata. The melodious musical moments when we met, mixed and mingled like long-lost close friends, and immersed ourselves in the strains and rhythms of our favourite songs, will be etched in my memory forever. We all remembered, rejoiced, relived and recounted every word of the lyrics & we every note of the tune & rhythm of the immortal melodies with ease without troubling or taxing our mind. The divine heavenly spiritual musical interaction of evergreen souls refreshed; recharged our monotonous polluted city life routine with a whiff of fresh fragrant positive purifying energy and vibes. I wish and pray for a better and brighter future for the ARDSI (CC) Family, and eagerly look forward to meet the members once again in the near future, to enrich and enlighten myself further with merrier musical memories, as I deeply believe that “Life is nothing but a collection of well-spent moments!!”.

Rajeeb Chattopadhyay - Kolkata

ARDSI thoughtfully addresses a difficult reality of our society. Dementia is one of today’s harsh truths, and none of us knows when it may touch our lives or those we love. ARDSI stands as a testament to Nilanjana Madam’s vision and dedication. Its atmosphere is warm, compassionate, and deeply caring. The caregivers work together with patience and dignity, ensuring every client feels safe, valued, and respected. In just a few months, ARDSI has become more than a dementia day care centre to me—it has become an emotion, a place of humanity, empathy, and hope.

Lipika Chaudhuri - Kolkata

One of the biggest challenges encountered by the caregivers and family members of people living from dementia is communication. At the same time, it is extremely frustrating for the person living with dementia to express all their emotions and thoughts and creativity to others. Storytelling is an effective way to foster healthy communication which enables caregivers to understand the emotions and feelings of the person living with dementia. I have been working as a Storyteller at ARDSI Calcutta Chapter Dementia Daycare Center and have been using storytelling as a means of connection and creativity with the people living with dementia. It is an effective tool to recreate the emotions, memories and joy which they have experienced in their life but simply seeks a medium to express it through. Through tales from different cultures and worlds they connect with the emotions of the characters which lead them to share their take and their memories related to the event or object in the story. They laugh with the characters, suggest alternative paths to be taken by the protagonist and express emotions empathising with the protagonist. Creative storytelling relieves the person living with dementia from the anxiety and frustration. Their loved ones may use stories to connect with them instead of simply stating facts, as creativity bridges gaps which facts alone cannot. Storytelling may not be a definite cure for dementia but it definitely is an effective tool which brings about mutual connection between the person living with dementia, their loved ones and the caregivers. It is a tool which creates empathy and gives a more positive outlook to life for those living with dementia. Where factual information falls short, stories and creativity acts as a bridge to understand the person in a new light and make them connect new dots which makes their life experience a little bit more colourful.

Devdeep Majumdar - Kolkata

Working with ARDSI Calcutta Day Care as a Special Activity Person has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Every day has taught me that dementia care is not only about providing support but also about preserving dignity, respect, and joy in the lives of the clients. During the course of my journey, I had the opportunity to attend various workshops and seminars on dementia care. These learning experiences enhanced my understanding of dementia and helped me interact more effectively and compassionately with the clients at the day care centre. As part of my work, I have had the opportunity to interact closely with the day care clients through a variety of engaging activities. I conducted baking sessions where we prepared various types of cakes, cookies, croissants, and pizza together. Everyone was joyful and eager to taste the final products. We also enjoyed creative activities such as colourful vegetable printing, which we later used to make paper bags, stencil printing, and playing with colours to create beautiful designs. These simple yet meaningful activities encouraged participation and brought smiles to the clients' faces. I have seen how familiar tastes, creative expression, simple conversations, music, and art can create moments of joy and connection. These experiences have helped me understand the importance of patience, empathy, and individualized care. Being associated with ARDSI has also encouraged me to think creatively about improving the quality of life of people living with dementia. I explored ideas for meaningful activities that can make their daily lives more comfortable and engaging. The support and guidance of the ARDSI team have inspired me to learn continuously and contribute in the best way I can. Working with colleagues who are deeply committed to dementia care has strengthened my own commitment to serving the clients with compassion and sincerity. My journey with ARDSI Calcutta Chapter has been both professionally enriching and personally transformative. It has taught me that even small gestures of kindness, understanding, and meaningful engagement can have a lasting impact. I am grateful to be a part of this organization and look forward to continuing to learn and grow.

Kaushik Basu - Kolkata

From my personal experience, I know how dementia affects not only the person living with the condition but also the family members and caregivers who accompany them through the difficult journey. But awareness and support remain limited. ARDSI's Calcutta’s commitment to the cause and support in helping people with Dementia receive care with dignity and compassion is what I have witnessed and wished to support. I hope this mutually rewarding contribution, in its own ways, helps improve lives and in the process, all of us.

Rituparna Ghosh - Kolkata

In memory of my late husband Amarjit Singh Sethi, a people's person, a man who never gave up and lived on the principle of "Sarbat Da Bhala" to honour a life well lived. Supporting the cause is a very small way of expressing my gratitude and an affirmation that dementia care matters deeply. May this support the mission in the journey ahead on awareness campaigns and knowledge sharing drives towards support and care for our loved ones living with dementia, and for the families who walk this journey alongside them. December 2020 I was introduced to ARDSI by my doctors. They assessed that beyond medical support I needed help on the complexities of the disease and home care challenges. I came as a novice and with the knowledge they shared, it altered the course of my life as I matured over the years on the path of care and compassion. I remained determined and maintained a positive mindset till the end and continue to do so as I engage myself in the work of the society.

Jyoti Sethi - Kolkata

Although I have come to know about ARDSI Calcutta only recently, I have been deeply impressed by the work being carried out for people living with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Through interactions, participation in seminars, and following their activities, I have gained a better understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with dementia and their families. Today, dementia is emerging as a major public health concern, affecting not only those diagnosed with the condition but also their caregivers, families, and communities. As life expectancy increases, the need for awareness, support services, caregiver education, and compassionate care is becoming more important than ever. Organizations working in this field play a vital role in helping people understand dementia, reducing stigma, and ensuring that those affected can continue to live with dignity and meaning. What stands out to me about ARDSI Calcutta is its holistic approach. Alongside providing care and support for people living with dementia, it also creates opportunities for meaningful engagement, social interaction, and community participation. Such initiatives help foster a positive and encouraging environment that benefits both individuals living with dementia and those who care for them. Supporting causes like dementia care is the need of the hour. Greater public awareness, stronger community involvement, and collective support are essential if we are to address the growing impact of dementia in our society. I am happy to contribute in my own way and hope that organizations working in this field continue to grow and reach many more families in need.

Pushpita Das - Kolkata

Cozeva India supports ARDSI Calcutta because we believe businesses have a responsibility to strengthen the communities in which they operate. Dementia is one of the fastest-growing health challenges, yet families often face it with limited awareness, resources, and support. We believe people living with dementia deserve dignity, compassion, and access to quality care, while caregivers deserve education and encouragement throughout their journey. We hope our contribution helps expand services, raise awareness, train caregivers, and improve the quality of life for individuals and families affected by dementia. We encourage other organizations and individuals to support this important cause. Every contribution—whether through funding, volunteering, or advocacy—helps build a more informed, compassionate community and brings hope to families navigating the challenges of dementia.

Amitava Maulik | GM India - Kolkata

Greetings! I attended several ARDSI Calcutta programs & activities before becoming a Life Member. I am very much concerned about the rising incidents of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in India. As a nursing educator, I have chosen ARDSI Calcutta as a platform to help people with dementia of various types and bring awareness among their family members so that these problems are identified early. I would like to support and guide them to avail themselves of the existing facilities .

Suravi Chakraborty - Kolkata

My father, a retired Professor from IIT Kharagpur, has always been an outgoing and intellectually active person. After retirement and with advancing age, we noticed increasing forgetfulness and a sense of isolation. That is when we found ARDSI Calcutta. From our very first interaction with Nilanjana Ma’am, Srijani, and the team, we were deeply impressed by their compassion, professionalism, and genuine commitment to their work. The respect, patience, and warmth with which they treat every member are evident in every interaction. They go beyond providing care—they create a joyful, engaging environment where members feel valued, stay physically and mentally active, and build happy memories. Knowing my father is surrounded by such dedicated people gives our family immense peace of mind. I am truly grateful for the incredible work ARDSI Calcutta does and wholeheartedly wish them continued success in enriching many more lives.

Pranamita Basu - Kolkata

In January 2025 when my wife was diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia she was already in a shell, sitting silently in a place and depressed apart from the memory loss and other issues.Though treatment and counseling started she wasn't opening up. As the only caregiver I had to search the sources for my knowledge about it and also the support systems available in India. During this time I came across the website of ARDSI and noted their presence in Kolkata. So, I sent them an email with a copy to their Kolkata chapter and immediately I received a response through phone from the Kolkata chapter. Accordingly she was enrolled here. Within a short time we observed a dramatic improvement in her social interactions and she started loving attending her day care and its activities. She started talking more than at the earlier stage. We all are grateful to team ARDSI for it. We have a long journey forward with them and we wish them all the best in their journey forward. To anyone requiring support for daycare of a dementia patient and respite for the caregiver our emphatic advice will be to go for ARDSI Calcutta only.

Sunit Kumar Sen - Kolkata

Two and a half years ago my mother decided to stay on her own in her Kolkata house with caregivers. We had to reluctantly give in, but found it very difficult as there was an onset of dementia diagnosed. We decided to approach ARDSi through the recommendation of my friend Nishi Pulugurtha. At first once a week, as we found it a little difficult to manage finances. However, when we crossed a few months and saw the effects, we decided on a twice a week support and found many more changes. My mother was calmer and less resistant to any proposed activity. She felt less insecure and anxious, and less dependent on sweets which caused her more harm than any good. She is today very well spirited, interactive, goes down for an hour of being “audience” for the little children of the building at play, at their insistence. She’s their loving dida who’s called loudly at 4:30pm daily to come down to play. Her playfulness has definitely increased with the home companionship. Also any visiting relatives have found her happy and neat and well presented whenever they have come. That is sheer joy. I am confidently recommending home companionship offered by ARDSI to anyone debating on whether to use it to cope with mental / physical / intellectual deterioration of their loved one suffering from dementia.

Nilakshi Roy - Kolkata

My mother got diagnosed with Dementia last year. Though we knew about the disease and had heard or read about the kind of care that is needed, it was only when we had to experience it, did we understand the true nature and depth of knowledge and experience that is required. It was during that time that we got connected with ARDSI Calcutta. Nilanjanadi and team has been such a big support ecosystem for us that it was much simpler for us to understand and plan my mother’s care. Dementia care is a very specialized domain and there are very few organizations in India that specializes in it. I have realized that there are so many Dementia patients and their families who do not have access to proper knowledge and care. It is in this very segment that ARDSI Calcutta is doing a fantastic job in spreading the knowledge to caregivers and patients. I have decided to support them financially so that they can continue to do the good work and reach out to as many patients and caregivers. I would encourage everyone to contribute to ARDSI for this noble cause.

Kaushik Burman - Kolkata

I found out about ARDSI in early 2024. My mother was not keeping well at all --- her memory was fragile, she had disturbed sleep, and signs of early Parkinson's were clearly visible in her behaviour and body language. After joining ARDSI, I noticed a remarkable difference in her behaviour and communication skills. Her cooking skills were back, she was calmer, could sleep better at night and her memory was back. She could guide the driver to ARDSI all by herself, and I didn't have to go with her after a month. I believe it is the community she found at ARDSI that helped her regain confidence in herself.

Prof K B - Kolkata

We are availing ARDSI Calcutta’s Daycare Service for my husband for the last four months and have noticed significant positive changes in him. Before encountering the services, managing him at home was taxing on all of us, especially with partial knowledge on the topic and how to properly care for someone with dementia. ARDSI genuinely helped us manage, understand as well as provide better care for him at home. Cognitive activities at his age (87years) were hard to perform at home but with a conducive environment and guidance from ARDSI, it has been done and it has definitely shown results with a more calm nature visible in him. We are really thankful to ARDSI and for their services.

Satyavathi Rao - Kolkata