Dr
Vishwas Sapatnekar and the work being done by Sahyadri Manav Sewa Manch
(Thane, near Mumbai) - Prof.
Satish Desai
Sahyadri
Manav Sewa Manch is a voluntary social organisation, which is providing
free medical care under a number of projects in the region of Maharashtra
around Thane. It has helped victims of unfortunate and natural disasters,
for example, flood at Sangameshwar, earthquake at Latoor and plague in
Surat. As a continued service to the community, it provides medical help
to rural people living in places with difficult access, and guidance and
assistance to promote better health among school children and their parents.
One of
its remarkable yearly projects was presented to Croydon Marathi Circle
on 28 April 2002 by Dr Vishwas Sapatnekar. The project involves medical
attention to thousands of devotees (Warkaris) of Lord Vithoba of Pandharpoor
through free medical camps along the route of the pilgrimage or Wari.
This exercise was started 17 years ago, when Vishwas was in Thane.
Every
year, on Ashadhi Ekadashi (July-August time), some 700,000 devotees walk
nearly 250 km from Alandee to Pandharpoor. Many of them are over 50 years
of age, not quite physically fit but full of deep devotion. However, medical
help is most essential for their journey on foot through the rough terrain,
rain and heat. Otherwise, safety of the devotees would be at risk, as
they might suffer from fever, dehydration, body aches and other minor
injuries.
Over
the last 17 years, this work has developed into a really impressive service
to humanity. Everything is done through help of volunteers and Vishwas
has to go away from his busy practice in Croydon for some 12 days. Food
and medicines do require funds, even though some quantities are donated.
More important, for securing the long-term future of this exercise, a
sum equivalent to £20,000 (about 15 Lakh Rupees) is desirable.
Ideas
for fund-raising are most welcome. Anyone wishing to contribute, either
in this manner or through personal funds, should write to the following
address or contact Vishwas Sapatnekar.
Avinash
Korde,
Trustee, Sahyadri Manav Sewa Manch,
"Avinash" Flat 394/D-3,
Off Mahapalika Bhavan Marg,
Darukhana Baag
Chandanwadi, Thane
400601, India.
Dr Vishwas
Sapatnekar
3 Callow Field,
Purley, Surrey CR8 4DO
Tel 020 8407 2608
Email Vvrpss@aol.com |
