Dr Rajnikant Arole – An angel behind Rural Health Development

‘Is it ‘Arolyancha dawakhana’ (Arole’s hospital)?’, It was my question on phone when I was 12 year old. The person asked my name and said you should ask like ‘Is it Dr Arole’s Hospital, instead of Arolyancha dawakhana?.’ I immediately apologized and asked to whom I am speaking with? He said I am Dr Rajnikant Arole!! It was my first interaction with him on Phone; at my home town Jamkhed, when mobiles were not in existence.

We both are from same place where Dr Arole built his empire. Since my childhood not only me but all Jamkhedkars know him as an international personality. Man with tremendous dedication, determination who brought Jamkhed on World’s map! In a rural place like Jamkhed you will find some foreigners roaming around who used to visit Dr Arole’s Comprehensive Health Rural Project (CRHP). His rural health’s ‘Jamkhed Pattern’ is known worldwide. Social activist Dr Arole was the founder president of Maharashtra Social Forum, a popular NGO network in Maharashtra. His mission was to provide basic healthcare to the rural poor.

Health standards across 300 villages in and around the region have improved.
After completing his MBBS from Vellore, Tamilnadu; CRHP was founded in 1970 by physicians Mabelle and Rajnikant Arole, who envisioned a system that delivered both curative and preventative care to India’s most vulnerable people. Both of whom had graduated together from medical college in 1959, worked for three years in villages and then moved to learn higher skills in US, working at Cleveland Clinic and JohHopkins- two of the most renowned programmes before returning to India in 1970, the Rajnikant Arole and Mabel Arole were invited by the leaders of Jamkhed to provide health care in their community. What started out as a modest service programme grew into the Comprehensive Rural Health Project (CRHP), reaching the poor, the marginalized and especially the previously unreached: women and children.
Jamkhed tells the story of the development of the Comprehensive Rural Health Project, a sustainable community - based primary health care programme in one of the poorest parts of India. Around Jamkhed, scores of men and women have come forward to acquire knowledge and skills in health and development. This empowerment has resulted in a drastic reduction in infant mortality and has improved the quality of village life.

Based in the town of Jamkhed, CRHP also serves surrounding areas in the central part of Maharashtra state. The area is predominantly rural, poor and drought-prone. Public health care and education are notoriously poor. CRHP has gradually expanded from a single hospital in Jamkhed and currently covers approximately 300 communities with a total population of over 500000 people. Both doctors, Rajanikant and Mabelle Arole chose Jamkhed, a poor agricultural village as the site for their innovative plan to provide medical and health services to villagers in India. A remote village where only a handful cared for the health of over ten thousand people. The site, a seven-acre land donated by Kothari family (Mishrilal, Suvalal, Bansilal, Chandulal and Popatlal) had a cowshed and a rented hall with no electricity and running water. Through dedication, determination and with the training they had received in India and US, they used these meager resources to start life-changing community projects for the people of the village. Donations from several organizations and foreign agencies helped the couple built a hospital, installed almost a hundred tube wells, organized community kitchens, planted thousands of trees, constructed hundreds of check dams, and cultivated 780 acres of land. The tremendous success of their efforts to combine community development with a comprehensive approach to rural health care using the ‘Jamkhed model’ has been recognized by numerous international organizations. In the last 39 years, the project has grown. Today, village health workers handle deliveries and counsel leprosy and TB patients. Between 1976 and 2006, the project has built over 200 check dams for water harvesting and dug over 500 wells.

Dr Arole was the proud recipient of Mother Teresa Award (2005), Padmabhushan (1990) and Ramon Magsaysay (1979); the award known as Noble of Asia region for his remarkable contribution in the field of health sector.

In memory of Mabelle Arole who died in 1999, a Fellowship named after her was founded in 2001. The Fellowship is given annually to a recent college graduate to study community-based primary health care, and to live and learn in Jamkhed for a year to imbibe Mabelle’s wisdom and healing spirit.

Recently, I was discussing with Dr Arole, his son Ravi and daughter Dr. Shobha regarding health problems of rural areas at Jamkhed. I found all of them are very serious and working day and night to improve the health of rural patients. In 2009; Pravara Medical Trust’ VC Dr Ashok Vikhe-Patil asked me to help for media coverage of Dr Arole’s 75th birthday felicitation function held in Pune. I immediately responded that, Dr Arole is pride of Jamkhed and it will be my pleasure to help you. After the function, I have sent all the news clippings to Dr Arole at Jamkhed. Dr Arole appreciated and acknowledged my efforts personally. His birthday was celebrated at Nagar too when Dr Arole was not well. Still he attended it as he has committed, I am one of the witnesses.

While speaking to MP Shri Balasaheb Vikhe-Patil this morning Vikhe-Patil said ‘” I was closely associated with Dr Arole from 1971; when I was Nagar ZP Vice President. Dr Arole was always a smiling and pleasant personality. He felt sad to see poor people. Many times he took his meal with his workers & poor patients. Day before yesterday, I met him to enquire on his health. Dr Arole said, I am happy and praying to God. No sign of fear on his face though he was not well. We will definitely miss him while working for rural health development.”

Dr Arole was born on 18th Sep 1934 at Rahuri in Nagar district; survives with his son Ravindra and daughter Dr Shobha. The veteran social worker took his last breath at 10.10 pm yesterday at Poona Hospital, Pune.

May his departed soul rest in peace, I pray on behalf of all Jamkhedkars.

Ramdas Phutane : Flowing stream of humour !!

Shri Ramdas Phutane is known to many as a poet, producer, director, painter and a brilliant writer with sharp presence of mind. Interacting with Phutane in person is a genuine pleasure and experiencing his spot-on sense of humor, listening to his musical conversations nicely spiced up with his real life examples and I consider myself lucky to have personally known Ramdas Phutane.

Ramdas Phutane hails from Jamkhed, a small town in Nagar district. I am especially happy as this also happens to be my home town, and the foundations for the milestones that he has achieved in his illustrious career, are laid by his brilliant and sharp mind.

Phutane has been writing ‘Vatratika’ since over 25 years and has been actively involved in the promotion of Marathi film and literature. Here is a glimpse of his achievements:

-His film Saamna (1975) has won three National Awards and was also selected in the competition section of the Berlin Film Festival.
-Some other films include Sarvasakshi (1979) and Survanta (1994)
-The book & ‘ekpatri prayog’ भारत कधी कधी माझा देश आहे is very popular in Maharashtra. This book is even selected as part of curriculum of Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
-His books Cutpiece (Hindi), Safed Topi Lalbatti, Changbhal, Phodni are tremendously popular.

Phutane shares close friendship with Union Power Minister Shri. Sushilkumar Shinde for the latter’s keen interest in arts and literature.Shinde has been quite supportive of Phutane and helped him surpass couple of hurdles earlier on in his career. The new edition of his book ‘Changbhal’ is going to be released in Pune on 8th May at the hands of Shinde.

Phutane is the President of Jagteek Marathi Academy, Vice President of Mumbai Art Society and Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad. He has worked with many committees and organizations such as Priyadarshani Academy. In 1984, along with Mahesh Kothare, Vijay Kondke, Balasaheb Sarpotdar and other producers, Ramdas Phutane started the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal (All India Marathi Film Federation). This federation allied itself with the Film Federation of India, which is a multi-lingual organization and Marathi films got their rightful status at the International Film Festivals. He was on the board of Film City, officially known as the Maharashtra Film, Stage and Cultural Development Corporation.

Phutane never appears to be in upset mood. While speaking with him he creates such a humour that we feel to be with him for long time. Recently I was with him in Aurangabad for couple of days for ‘Shodh Marathi Manacha’ function. In spite of his busy schedule, as the function was a grand one, he was still enquiring guests about their food & accommodation arrangements and making them feel comfortable. This speaks a lot about his personality as one who cares for others! During this time, I also witnessed another generous aspect of his personality. He called a friend from Jamkhed and arranged for his accommodation in a 5-star hotel. I asked him out of curiosity as to how he manages all this. His reply was very down to earth – Some people like us get a platform to showcase our talent, while some don’t. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t have potential. So it is our responsibility to give them what they deserve.

Due to his multi-faceted personality, Nana (Shri. Phutane) has made groups in four categories – Cinema, Literature, Politics and Friends. He says, I never mix these groups with each other, as it can make some people feel bored, and with such separation everyone can enjoy discussions in their own fields.

Today, on his 68th birthday, I take the opportunity to salute his accomplishments in life and wish him great health and happiness.

Dr Vijay Bhatkar- The living practitioner of science and spiritualiy

It was in the year 2000 that I saw Dr. Vijay Bhatkar’s photo receiving ‘Maharashtra Bhushan’ Award at the hands of the then Chief Minisher Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh, on the front page of all leading newspapers. It was a proud feeling to see a Marathi man from a remote place in Maharashtra build a Supercomputer and get India in limelight on the world map. Those days I used to write a column in Daily Lokmat’s Chitragandha supplement called ‘Mee Prekshak’. I decided to meet Dr. Bhatkar for his views for an article, and accordingly took his appointment and met him. Despite being a high profile scientist with remarkable achievements, to my astonishment, I found him to be a very simple person.

An intelligent thinker with a disruptive thought process, researcher, innovator, scientist, philosopher, educator, educationist, author, articulator, policy architect, institution builder are some of the adjectives that describe Dr. Bhatkar; one of the most acclaimed IT leaders of India, with wide international recognition. Dr. Bhatkar is amongst the 25 pioneers who shaped India’s celebrated IT industry during the last 25 years.

Dr. Bhatkar is best known as the architect of PARAM series of Supercomputers and bringing ICT to the masses through a wide range of path-breaking initiatives, such as GIST multilingual technology.

He has played significant role in transformation education & making it reach to corners of the country through creation of institutions such as C-DAC, Education-to-Home (ETH), Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Ltd, International Institute of Information Technology (I2IT), Multiversity, Know-IT etc. Besides, he also provides his valuable guidance to startups and creative minds, be it a student, entrepreneur or just about anyone!

One of the most acclaimed and decorated scientists of India, Dr. Bhatkar has received numerous national and international awards, fellowships of professional societies such as IEEE, and some of highest civilian awards by the National & State Governments, such as Padmashri and Maharashtra Bhushan.

He has authored and edited 11 books and over 80 research and technical papers in the fields of supercomputing, artificial intelligence, distributed computer control, optimal control and education technology as well as in science and philosophy. His contribution to non-local systems based on his doctoral research have been acclaimed and his books on distributed computer control and artificial intelligence have been used as graduate level text books in the US and Indian universities. He has addressed the Royal Society of London, conventions of leading professional societies, convocations of over 10 Indian universities and delivered keynote addresses in many national and international conferences and seminars.

I consider the last 10 years as the highest period of my life, solely because of the opportunity that I got to work with Dr. Bhatkar. It has been a practical extension to my education, where I observed him to be a humble leader, big thinker, peace lover, patriotic and a person with a keen urge for social development. One of the most distinguished traits that Dr. Bhatkar possesses is that of ignoring the negativity and focusing on the positive to bring out positive results. I guess this is possible because of his practical application of the synthesis of science and spirituality. Dr. Bhatkar practices what he preaches! He is probably the only scientist who says science and spirituality are two sides of the same coin. Modern Vijnyaneshwar!!

During the last 10 years, I have been able to build a huge global network of contacts of politicians, bureaucrats, media and VIPs from all sectors. All this was possible just because of Dr. Bhatkar, whose name itself has been a passport for me to get access to most of the important personalities in my database. He has been a great mentor and the source of inspiration for me. Today, 11th October, on his birthday, I wish him my choicest wishes and a great, healthy and peaceful life ahead!

(To read more about Dr Bhatkar pl visit www.vijaybhatkar.org )

Dr Tatyarao Lahane (small), but doing big job…

If I say I am going to meet Padhmashri Dr Tatyarao Lahane, Dean of Sir JJ Hospital, Mumbai and an eminent eye specialist and if you have not seen him earlier, what picture will you assume? A high profile doctor, but if you see him you will find a very sincere, polite, workaholic & calm person with simple lifestyle, white shirt with most probably black or brown trousers, without shirt-in!

Dr. Lahane is a self-made person. He grew up in rural Maharashtra as a farmer’s son, unaware of where his desire for knowledge would take him.

“I was working with my father every day on my farm, and whenever I had some leisure time, I used to attend the school,” he said. “My headmaster insisted my father that I should take up higher education”.

Upon entering college, the headmaster pushed Dr. Lahane toward science stream, which he excelled in, allowing him to pursue a medical career. He stood 10th in the whole Maharashtra division and got admission in medical school.

Such were his poor finances, that in medical school in Ahmadabad, Dr. Lahane said his friends helped him buy books and even clothes.

“But on the day of my examination in ophthalmology, my father-in-law died, and I failed in ophthalmology,” he said. “I was unable to write the paper. Next time, I passed with excellent marks!!”

Dr. Lahane said he was set to enter the pediatric field until he realized he would not be getting paid a residency stipend.

This pushed him toward ophthalmology, and 100,000 patients can be thankful that he made that choice. Dr. Lahane was felicitated for completing a historical record of completing one lakh cataract surgeries. Performing the most number of eye surgeries is the world record set by Dr. Lahane.

Among the 100,000 phaco-emulsification procedures (the most common surgical procedure for removing cataracts) Dr Lahane has done, 1,211 were performed on leprosy patients at Baba Amte's Anandvan in Warora near Nagpur. "So many phaco-emulsification procedures on leprosy patients, is in itself a world record that I haven't so far publicized," the surgeon says.

Born in a village in Latur District, Dr. Lahane was educated in Marathawada and came to Mumbai for his own kidney transplant, as both of his kidneys were not functioning.

In 1994, Dr. Lahane began travelling to Mumbai once a week for 3 years to receive dialysis at Grant Medical College. While he was there, he started helping the struggling department of ophthalmology at J.J. Hospital.

“I was going for dialysis every Thursday. And still, I was working throughout the week,” he said. “My doctor told me to go for the life insurance because I may die after 1 year.”

Although he took his doctor’s advice, Dr. Lahane was also told that a kidney transplant could save his life. On Feb. 22, 1995, he underwent a kidney transplant using his mother’s donated kidney. “That was my second birth,” he said.

I met him 6/7 years back in JJ Hospital, Mumbai. I told Dr Lahane about my mother's eye problem. I asked for his appointment. He said where you will bring your mother in Mumbai's crowd. I'll come down to Jamkhed to see her! I thought he must not be interested & just saying like that as Jamkhed is 350 km away from Mumbai!

One day, Dr Lahane called me & said I'll be coming to Jamkhed tomorrow. I was shocked. Was he joking?? No, he indeed came!! He crossed 350 kilometers driving his car to see my mother. He touched my mother's feet and checked her eyes. Such a great personality, yet very cultured, down to earth. It's his love & affection for the common people. ‘Words should be backed by action’, is the lesson I learnt from him.

Recently, I met Dr Lahane in Vidhan Bhavan, Mumbai where he was busy filling forms for eye donations. I filled my form too. Dr Lahane told me he will be coming to Pune in May. I called him & went to meet him in Yashada. While looking for Dr Lahane, I met Pune's collector Chandrakantji Dalvi over there. We all met & I was observing both were talking in the interest of common people. Being long time friends of each other, both thanked me for arranging this meeting!

I told Dr Vijay Bhatkar that Dr Lahane is in Pune. Dr Bhatkar said call him for tea to our office. I picked up Dr Lahane from Yashada. After reaching our office, he touched Dr Bhatkar’s feet, crediting him for contributing a lot to the country.

Dr Lahane made Ophthalmology Department in J.J. Hospital like a five-star government hospital with all the modern equipment & specialists, catering to the vast rural population of Maharashtra.

Now, Dr Lahane became dean of JJ & I don’t think any astrologer is required to tell that he will made whole hospital five star in the interest of to help common people in near future!!

In the safe hands of … Shri Ujjwal Nikam

3rd May 2010 – A memorable day in the history of India; Ajmal Kasab, one of the prime accused in 26/11 attacks in Mumbai was adjudged guilty. All newspapers and news channels are flooded with complete coverage of this important milestone. Most importantly, people are seeing & listening the case briefing of the man behind this important judgment. Yes, I am talking about Special Public Prosecutor Shri. Ujjwal Nikam.

Any severe or criminal incident happens in Maharashtra, the common man feels safe and relaxed if the case is handled by Shri Ujjwal Nikam. The common person believes that now the guilty will be punished and justice will be done. This speaks about the credibility of the person.

Shri Nikam was appointed as special public prosecutor for the 1993 Mumbai bomb-blast case in 1994. After that he handled various high profile cases, such as Gulshan Kumar Murder trial, Pramod Mahajan Murder trial, Gateway of India Blast case, Kherlanji Massacre of Dalit, in which six people were sentenced to death, while two others were given life imprisonment, Rathi Murder Trial, Pune, Nadeem Extradition Case, London.

In his illustrious 30 years of legal career, NIkam has handled numerous cases, and served as public prosecutor for important trials at state as well as national level. He has secured 613 life imprisonments and 33 death penalties. He has been provided with Z-plus security by government of India due to his involvement in high profile trials.

While thinking about Shri Nikam Saheb, I automatically went in the past. It was in 2003-04 that I first met Shri Nikam. I was sitting in the then Minister Sureshdada Jain’s cabin in Mantralaya in Mumbai. There was one more person sitting in that cabin, seemed to be thinking about something. Curiously, I introduced myself and asked his name and, very politely he said, I am Ujjwal Nikam. I had heard and read a lot about him, but didn’t know that such high profile personality would be such simple.

After Mumbai 1993 Bomb blast results, Pune's corporator Prof Vikas Mathkari felicitiated him at Balgandharv. Pune. The auditorium was house full to see & listen Shri Nikam Saheb. He is a hero in real life. I asked him once, don't you feel scared? He said, ‘I have trust in God. God is great. He will take care’.

One day I got the information that Shri Nikam is traveling from my home town Jamkhed during his Beed-Nagar journey for Kathewadi case. I was in Pune at that time. I immediately called him up & requested him to visit my home. I thought that he will say ‘No’, I am very ‘Busy’, but I was wrong. Without hesitating he said okay. He visited my home along with his wife, body guards & commandos. There was huge curiosity in Jamkhed that who has come with such a Z security protection. In small village like Jamkhed people get fast information. He spent good time with my mother & young brother for almost more than an hour.

Through numerous interactions with Shri Nikam, I have found Shri Nikam to be an extremely intelligent person, a man of relations (he invited me for various functions such as marriage of his daughter Sharvari, marriage of his nephew etc), a fearless professional and a person in continuous pursuit of truth and justice.

Prashant Damle - an eminent actor in Marathi drama & films

Talented, dedicated, humble, simple are the perfect words that describe this great actor. Let me quote an incident here. There was a lot of buzz around 'Bahurupi', which remains one of his finest performances of all time. As with anyone else, I had lot of curiosity in watching it and so I booked a ticket. Before going, I sent him a SMS that we're coming to Yeshwantrao Chavan Natyagriha. Such is his personality that even in his busy schedule he replied back instantly, and to my astonishment, stating that he had kept our tickets at the counter!

Then I replied back that we already have purchased the tickets and sent him our ticket numbers, to which he again said just exchange your tickets at the counter, as our seats were pretty behind. At the ticket counter, we had to accept the refund also, as Mr. Damle had already informed about this to the authorities. When we met later that night, I expressed my view to him … exchange of tickets was okay, but why that refund?

He replied, you people are very busy; still you spare time to see me perform and then spend money also… Time is more valuable than money, isn't it?

I became speechless!!

Dear Friends,

Welcome on my Blog. I will post you all my activities and various photos with eminent personalities, experience soon. Thanx.

Regards,

Rahul Shingavi, Pune.