Abhyaashi is an not for profit initiative by Maximus Dental since 2018, through which parents and persons get access to updated dental counseling and excellent dental treatment at subsidized cost / no cost.
Abhyaashi finds its true founder in Aashi, a vibrant child with Trisomy 21 whose journey forms the core of its vision. The initiative is nurtured and supported by her parents, Dr. Anurag and Dr. Nidhi Gupta.
Listen to what our little founder of Abhyaashi Smilespecial foundation says about down Syndrome..
Aashi – The Founder and Inspiration
At the heart of Abhyaashi Foundation is an extraordinary story of courage, resilience, and unwavering hope. The organization draws its inspiration from its founder, Aashi Gupta born with Down Syndrome, whose life has been defined not by the medical challenges she faced, but by the strength with which she chose to overcome them. From an early age, Aashi’s journey has been anything but ordinary.
She was born with a multiple birth complications that demanded constant medical attention and immense physical endurance. As life unfolded, she faced an even greater battles enduring rigorous treatments while fighting for survival. Alongside these life-threatening conditions, she also lives with scoliosis, a spinal deformity that presents daily physical challenges, and poor vision that further complicates everyday life. Yet, despite these multiple health obstacles, Aashi refused to allow her diagnosis to define her future.
Instead, she transformed adversity into purpose. Every hospital visit, every treatment, every setback, and every victory became a stepping stone toward creating meaningful change in the lives of others. Her personal experiences instilled in her a profound sense of empathy for individuals and families facing hardships, inspiring her to establish the Abhyaashi Foundation with a mission rooted in compassion, dignity, and empowerment. The Foundation stands as a testament to the belief that one’s limitations can become the very source of one’s greatest strength.
Aashi’s perseverance extends far beyond surviving medical complications. She has demonstrated remarkable determination to thrive in every aspect of life, proving that courage is not the absence of hardship but the decision to keep moving forward despite it. Her journey reminds people that resilience is built one day at a time, through unwavering faith, hope, and the refusal to surrender to circumstances. She has become a beacon of inspiration for thousands who see in her story the possibility of rising above adversity, no matter how overwhelming the challenges may appear.
Aashi has always been taking up newer challenges in life and tried to excel in each endeavour.
Aashi Gupta’s recent achievements
The following list of achievements showcases how Aashi has overcome societal doubts and delivered:
2026 – I represented India at United Nations Special General Assembly on World down Syndrome day, 21st March, 2026 and was invited to speak on the theme “together against loneliness’. My pre recorded Speech was telecasted on UN WebTV. I was well appreciated for my efforts for bringing concepts of Inclusion near and far in my social spheres.
2026, I exhibited my Paintings at Bikaner House and sold 3 paintings.
2026 – My radio talk came live on Prasar Bharti too regarding my lived experience of being someone with down Syndrome and still showing remarkable courage to overcome my obstacles and shine bright with my abilities.
2026, I was invited as Guest speaker for the National launch of Birth Defects Network of India (BIND) in collaboration with smile train organisation.
2025, I displayed my paintings at India international Trade fair at Bharat Mmandapam.
2025 – I performed twice on stage with National school of Drama and my performance was appreciated by all.
2022 – Selected to represent Delhi state in cycling competition 12-15 yrs category at National meet in Bokaro Steel city in July 2022
2021 – Stood 2nd in Special Olympics Delhi State Cycling competition in 12-15 yrs category
2021 – Performed Air cycling at the India’s highest air cycling ropeway in Rishikesh Hikers Adventure Park (HAP). Same was appreciated by India Book of Records also.
2021- Performed walking on tight rope at 30 ft high, climbing 30 ft ladder, doing giant swing and ropeway activities all by herself.
2021 – Participated in JUST A MINUTE session at Jaypee Public school event with Special Olympics Bharat
2021 – Participated in MESSAGE FOR TEACHER session at Jaypee Public school event with Special Olympics Bharat
2021 – Participated in cultural event organized by Down Syndrome Federation of India 2021 – Participated in Talent Hunt Show
2021 – Participation in school activites like Role Play, Logo designing competition
2020 – Learnt cycling during lockdown from her father
2019 – Recognized by India Book of Records to become the first and the youngest Differently abled person to cross a Nepalese Bridge (330 mts long and 100 mts high) in Mauritius, Indian Ocean.
Today, Aashi Gupta is not only the FOUNDER of the ABHYAASHI FOUNDATION but also the heart and soul behind its vision. Her life exemplifies the values the organization seeks to promote—strength, inclusion, compassion, and the belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to lead a life of purpose and dignity. Through the Foundation’s initiatives, she continues to inspire communities, encourage acts of kindness, and empower individuals to believe in their own potential.
Aashi’s story is ultimately one of hope. It is the story of a young woman who transformed pain into purpose, illness into inspiration, and personal struggle into a movement that touches countless lives. Her remarkable journey serves as a powerful reminder that while medical diagnoses may shape a person’s path, they do not determine their destiny. Through resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to serving others, Aashi Gupta continues to inspire thousands, proving that the human spirit possesses an extraordinary ability not only to survive but to flourish against all odds.
The initiative is nurtured and supported by her parents, Dr. Anurag and Dr. Nidhi Gupta.
Since its inception, Abhyaashi Smile Special foundation has impacted at least 5000 lives of persons and families with person with Special needs/ disabilities through check-up camps, oral health lectures, workshops, training sessions, online webinars, podcasts, blogs, E-books, Train the Doctors and treatment of patients.
” There is nothing down about it..
Children and adults with down Syndrome are raising the bar every time, society stereotypes them and doubts their capabilities.
Down syndrome awareness, down syndrome day, nothing down about it, happiness is down syndrome, DSFI, aashi_downsymdromewarrior, special needs children, special needs parenting, special needs journey”
Dr. Nidhi Gupta
MDS ( Endodontics), Cert. Cosmetic Dentistry (NYUCD&SS)
Dr Nidhi Gupta has been a very hard working person since childhood and topped throughout her dental academic career right from under graduate to postgraduate. She uses the most current dental technology in giving painless Root canal treatment to her patients. She is a certified Cosmetic Dentist from New York University College, USA. She has worked at Prestigious Safdarjung Hospital and has also treated patients at Parliament Annexee Dental clinic.
So when motherhood catapulted her into a unknown terrain of down syndrome, she was not to bow down here either. She began devouring literature on DS, reading in depth and applying the same in bringing up Aashi, her lovely daughter. Having a medical background has helped her, but more importantly, her strong “My child can do” mother’s attitude, has helped her so far, in developing good communication skills in 10 year old Aashi.
Smile Special was the brainchild of Dr Nidhi who wanted to spread her knowledge and skill to more and more parents and persons with disabilities. She is recipient of following awards:
- Awarded “Best Postgraduate student” by Indian Endodontic Society in 2005.
- Awarded Gold medal for scoring highest marks in Human Physiology. (1996)
- Awarded Gold medal for scoring highest marks in General Pathology. (1997)
- Awarded silver medal for standing second in Aggregate in BDS first professional examination. (1996)
- Awarded silver medal for standing second in Aggregate in BDS second professional Examination. (1997)
- Awarded silver medal for standing second in Conservative Dentistry. (2000)
Dr. Anurag Gupta
MDS ( Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics), PGDLMS
To relieve human pain and suffering, and bring smiles back on people’s face, was the goal with which Dr Anurag took to dentistry in 1997. He did his bachelors in dentistry in prestigious JJ group of hospitals, Mumbai. Later he went on to do post graduation in dental braces specialty and joined AIIMS as specialist and scientist. He is a recipient of 2 national awards, has published multiple times in indexed International journals and is contributing author in 2 international textbooks of orthodontics. He has been an affiliate member of American dental association and Academy of Laser Dentistry, Florida. He is in practice since 2008 and currently he heads Maximus Dental, situated in New Delhi. Born and brought up in Delhi, Dr Anurag is married to Dr Nidhi, also a specialist dentist and has a lovely daughter Aashi who has Trisomy 21. Dr Anurag firmly believes that dentistry has an important role to play in overall health of individual. With Aashi as their inspiration, with Dr Nidhi, he has initiated a campaign called Smile Special, this year, through which they are creating dental awareness and providing dental counseling and treatment to persons with special needs. Dr Anurag Gupta MDS, is an orthodontist and Dentofacial orthopedist with focus on early treatment to correct jaw deformities in regular as well as children with special needs.
He is proud recipient of following awards:
- Best IOS student research award
- Dr JG Kanappan award for Best PG thesis by IOS
- Best Orthodontist in Delhi” in year 2016 by Primetime media
Supported By
They have been active with organizations like AFA (Action for Autism), DSFI (Down syndrome Federation of India) and FSMA India, and are on the medical expert board of these organizations. They are also active with NGO Nayi Disha as medical experts.
