Nithya's Story
Then, at age ten in India, everything changed. She was diagnosed with a complex autoimmune disease, but because the diagnosis came late, the condition had already begun to affect some of her organs — especially her lungs. What followed were years of hospitals, tests, and uncertainty. Yet even then, Nithya refused to be defined by a name on a medical chart.
When she later moved to the UK, the medical system had no name for her condition either. She was documented simply as Case N — a single letter standing in for a life that would defy every prognosis written about it.
Doctors mapped her journey, and at some point they declared a deadline — a ceiling she was told she couldn't break. But Nithya didn't read those notes. She read her own body instead.
Through pain and uncertainty, she became her own most devoted student — learning what nourished her, what harmed her, what her body was asking for when medicine had no answer. And she was never alone in that work. Her mother stood beside her every single day, becoming her greatest ally, helping her find the right diet, the right nutrition, the right balance to keep her strong. Together, they learned how food could become medicine. Together, they built a rhythm of care that touched every part of Nithya's life — her body, her mind, her spirit.
Nithya worked out. A lot. She pushed herself not out of fear, but out of a quiet, fierce determination to live fully in the body she had. Her mother was there for that too — physically and mentally, lifting her up on hard days and celebrating with her on strong ones. What others saw as limitation, she saw as a daily practice of showing up.
Who we are
Every woman deserves to
be seen, heard, held.
Project Nithya exists because too many women across India and Sri Lanka face illness, abuse, and medical uncertainty without a hand to hold. We are a women's welfare organisation specialising in haematology and women's health — working at the intersection of blood-disorder care, safety, and holistic wellbeing.
Our name, Nithya, means eternal in Sanskrit — the strength that lives within every woman, waiting to be recognised. Our work is not charity; it is solidarity.
"A woman's wellbeing is not a privilege to be earned — it is a right to be fiercely protected. We stand at that boundary, and we do not move."
Founder's letter
Shani ThomasFounder & CEO, Project Nithya Ltd
Shani Thomas
Founder & CEO
I am Shani Thomas, Founder and CEO of Project Nithya Ltd.
My life journey began in a modest middle-class family, where I was raised by my grandmother and faced many hardships from an early age. Despite these challenges, they shaped my determination, resilience, and commitment to helping others.
At the age of 19, I got married, and at 21, I was blessed with a daughter, Nithya. After completing my graduation, I moved from Kerala to Hyderabad in search of better opportunities. In 2000, I travelled to the United Kingdom to locate an individual who had deceived me with false promises. After considerable effort and perseverance, I successfully found him and recovered part of the money that had been lost.
Driven by a desire to create opportunities for others, I established my own Health Care Consulting company in the UK and later founded a private college. However, changes in immigration regulations in 2012 led to the closure of the college. Rather than giving up, I adapted and entered the vocational training sector, providing educational and career opportunities for university dropouts with support from local council funding.
During this period, we transformed the lives of many disadvantaged young people. As part of our initiatives, we established a music studio in Canary Wharf, where underprivileged and vulnerable children received music education and training. Many successfully completed their courses, earned recognised certifications, regained confidence, and secured admission to universities — opening doors to brighter futures.
My Daughter, Nithya
My daughter, Nithya, was born as a healthy and beautiful child. She grew up surrounded by love and received the best education available. She completed her schooling at Kodaikanal International School (KIS), pursued her undergraduate studies at Preston University, and later completed an Interior Design course at KLC School of Design in London. During her short but meaningful life, she travelled extensively around the world and embraced every opportunity to learn, grow, and experience different cultures.
In 2014, Nithya was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition and came under the care of the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. Despite years of treatment and her courageous fight against the illness, she sadly passed away on 26 April 2025.
Her loss was devastating. We believe that earlier diagnosis and intervention could have significantly improved treatment outcomes. This experience highlighted the critical importance of awareness, early detection, and access to specialised healthcare — particularly for haematological and autoimmune conditions.
The Vision of Project Nithya Ltd
Nithya's dream was to help others avoid the challenges she faced. Inspired by her vision, Project Nithya Ltd is dedicated to educating people about haematology-related disorders and other serious health conditions, promoting awareness, encouraging early diagnosis, and supporting patients and families throughout their healthcare journeys.
Our mission is to ensure that more people receive timely medical attention, better treatment opportunities, and the knowledge needed to protect their health. Through education, advocacy, research support, and community outreach, we aim to create lasting positive change and honour Nithya's legacy.
Nithya's life continues to inspire our work every day. Through this project, her compassion, courage, and dream of helping others live on.
With love and care,
Shani Thomas
Founder & CEO
Project Nithya Ltd
Our reach
Measured in lives,
not just numbers.
Every figure is a woman who found her footing — and reclaimed her future.
Join us