Diwali at the Kondhwa Leprosy Hospital

Dear Benefactors, Well Wishers, and friends, 

As you all would recollect, on 03 Nov, the day of Diwali, members of the Prayas Club of AFMC went through with their plan of going to visit the Leprosy Hospital at Kondhwa , to share their happiness and the sheer lightness of being with the residents of the Hospital.
http://kondhwaleprosyhospital.com/aboutus.html

With the way that Pune has expanded, at times it becomes difficult to even find the Leprosy Hospital enroute to LBT (yes , thats what lies beyond Kondhwa).

The trees have now grown over the entrance ....a welcome arch

The enthusiastic bunch of Prayas Members, who dressed up in their best on this Diwali Day, went about distributing chivda, bananas, toiletries to the men and women staying at the Leprosy Hospital. 

Distributing items to inmates

The ever smiling Mrs Kumkar had kindly arranged for piping hot jalebis fresh from the Int School canteen for everyone. Lip smackingly delicious they were.

Alternate modes of transporting goods

 Our Secy, Surbhi and her band of merry helpers struggled initially with the sheer volume of banana bunches and the logistics of distribution, however with Sharanjeet and Prabhjeet both chipping in, things went off smoothly and efficiently .

 We left a lot of pleased faces at the Hospital that day, including the Nursing Staff who were given special packets of sweets catered for very thoughtfully by Dr Renuka .

A keen hospital physiotherapist Mr Benjamin (?), showed us around, and gave a pep talk to the students on the importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment, apart from the bedrock of rehabilitation (the levels of prevention explained through a field visit). 

  

Briefing by Hospital Physiotherapist

After the students did their 'do good' bit, they decided to make an impromptu visit to the Old Age Home in Wanowrie, just to cheer up the inmates, and share some of the left over goodies. 

A day well spent, to do good by bringing cheer..... we are like that only!

Care India Program (Diwali with a Purpose): 09 Nov 2013

It was a balmy early winter morning on the 9th of November 2013, when twelve student members of Prayas Club made their way to the Taj Vivanta (the erstwhile out of reach Blue Diamond) under the leadership of our new Secy Ms Surbhi of X2 Batch.

The occasion was the Diwali celebrations of the NGO with which Prayas Club is closely associated (Care India , http://www.careindia.org.in/). This is the very same NGO which is running the Vishranti Cancer Palliative Care Centre which is visited by our students often.

Col Nyayapathi, the Founder Trustee was very warm in his welcome of our Club as is his usual good natured self.

Lt Gen MA Tutakne, formerly Dean and then Comdt of AFMC (nearly a decade back) in his speech to the attendees was proudly appreciative of the participation over the years, of AFMC undergraduate students and Faculty Members of various Depts (esp PSM, Obs Gyn, Int Med and Paeds).

Felicitation ceremony during the event. Lt Gen Tutakne praising our Club Members

The students of the Prayas Club interacted with the beneficiaries of the activities of the NGO and were given an insight into the trials and tribulations faced by the caregivers of cancer patients. As doctors we seldom look at the personal lives of our patients, and tend to develop an impersonal attitude.

Prayas Club is all about bringing 'feeling' and 'compassion' back into the practice of medicine.

A morning well spent. A break from the studies that everyone perforce is having to do, what with Univ exams around the corner. Encouragement and motivation for a few, inspiration for many.

As a spot decision taken by the Club Members, it was decided to lobby with the Club after the College holiday break, to raise some funds for donating to this NGO.

The poster below illustrates how donations received from the public are utilised. We have seen the ground result, and are pleased to endorse and participate in their activities.

Thank you Care India for doing a wonderful job. We are proud to be associated with the good work your dedicated volunteers are doing.  

Utilization of Donated Funds

Farewell to the Senior batch (V2) of Prayas Members!

Fare thee well ! And continue to do good and be good through your lives! God Bless you all.

We are sanguine that those of V2 Prayas Club Members who will be leaving the portals of the College soon, will make as  wonderful doctors as they are good human beings.

As you can guess, members of Prayas Club of the V2 Batch were given an emotional farewell by the Club at the usual venue (i.e the Seminar Hall on the Top Floor of the Dept of Community Medicine) on 31 Oct at 1700h.

The evening began with V2 batch Prayas activists regaling the audience with stories from their past, and bringing in a serious note at times by recounting experiences. Past secretaries (Sharanjeet, Prabhjeet ) combined to get the evening going.
Surbhi ( our new Secy) worked quietly and efficiently behind the scenes with her cohort of eager colleagues to ensure things went smoothly.

Mrs Kumkar our eternal favourite, was felicitated by the Club as she will be retiring this year in end Dec.

Col Kushwaha , our earlier mentor was remembered fondly as he was the one who had a close association with the Club during the heydays of V2.

Songs were sung, smiles sparkled, poetry was narrated, speeches were given, and photos were clicked.

Light refreshments and heavy hearts followed.

Adieu V2,

from Prayas.

Diwali Festivities

Members of the Prayas Club of AFMC are eagerly looking forward to Diwali, the 'festival of lights'.
And the excitement is all about going to visit the Leprosy Hospital at Kondhwa , to share their happiness and the sheer lightness of being with the residents of the Hospital. 
http://kondhwaleprosyhospital.com/aboutus.html

We plan to be leaving AFMC by bus at around 0945h and will be back by noon on Sunday 03 Nov 2013. 
We intend on sharing some healthy and nutritious bananas and distributing some token items of toiletries to the approx 190 residents of the Leprosy Hospital on Diwali. 
We have raised funds from within the student community of AFMC, and through generous donations from our well wishers and benefactors from amongst the Faculty. 

We would like to extend an invitation to all interested and enthusiastic students and Faculty Members (and their families) at AFMC , to join us in celebrating the joyous occasion. 

Sunday, 0945h be there! You can use your own transport to reach the Hospital, as we have limited seats on the bus. 

Thank you for your support.
  

Happy birthday to Prayas!

It was an evening to remember as Prayas turned 14 on 11th September 2013. Founded in 1999 by the J2 batch, the path of Prayas Club has been marked by various milestones and achievements. 

Over the years, Prayas owes its growth and success to the numerous dedicated student volunteers and the ceaseless efforts of the Faculty Members from various Departments of AFMC who have been working selflessly for the progress of the club.
The occassion was celebrated in Bharadwaj Auditorium, AFMC, in the presence of Air Marshal B Keshav Rao, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Presidents Honorary Surgeon, Director and Commandant, AFMC.

 The events for the day included a street play performed by cadets, felicitation of recipients of Prayas Club aid, felicitation of Mrs. Kumkar, who has played a pivotal role over the years in taking Prayas Club to where it is now. The cadets of V2 batch were also felicitated by Air Cmde A Mahen.

 We would like to wish Prayas Club a very happy birthday. And as the saying goes...

'We dream, a dream of a better tomorrow,

A dream of a world where there will be no more suffering, no more pain. A dream of a world where every individual will hold her head high,  where there will be no more fear.

And we dream of a day when all medical students and people everywhere , will participate in our dream.'

Visit of Deep Griha to AFMC

On the eve of 1st September 2013, around 42 children from the Deep Griha society visited AFMC to spend a day in the campus along with Prayas members.
They were shown around the campus, visiting various places such as the swimming pool, library, central cadets' mess etc. The children had a great time listening to songs being performed by the club members. It was a memorable experience for both the club members and the children, the purpose of this visit being an opportunity for the children to have fun in the college.

Doing when it matters

Actions speak louder than words. Prayas club showed that when Sumitra was treated in Command Hospital, Pune.

Sumitra is a part of the Old Age Home in Wanaworie, Pune. Sumitra suffered from a knee contracture. She was treated by Brig Joshi, HOD Ortho Dept, AFMC. She was given a skin traction and Brig Joshi personally treated her. She is currently admitted in Ward no 24, CH.

Prayas Club wishes her a speedy recovery.

Visit to Manavya

57 cadets of Prayas Club visited Manavya on Sunday, 25th of August 2013, the purpose of the visit being the chance to interact with HIV-infected children.

Manavya is an orphanage for HIV infected children which provides free medicines and healthcare for those children who have been abandoned by their parents or their parents cannot afford the treatment.
Last year also, Prayas club visited  Manavya.












The children were presented with fruits and biscuits. A cheque of Rs. 5000 was presented to the organization. The cadets had a good time with the children by interacting with them, performing a dance and playing with them.

It was a good experience for everyone involved and we hope that we could help the children at Manavya.

Celebrating Independence Day in a special way

15th August, 2013 - the day India celebrated its 67th anniversary of independence. Prayas Club decided to mark the occasion with a special venture by paying a visit to a school for physically disabled children in Wanaworie, Pune. The cadets went to the school to meet the children, interact with them and to celebrate our independence. It included a flag hoisting ceremony followed by a session of interaction with the children and the people who run the school. Fruits, sweets and some gifts were given to the children.

All in all, it was a good experience and a great effort by Prayas to do something different.

Jai Hind.

Visit: Vishranti Hospital

Prayas members visited the Vishranti Hospital, a respite care and cancer pain management centre situated at Bhavani Peth, pune

Founded by Col Belapurkar and Col Nyayapati, the hospital provides much needed palliative care and much more, to the needy free of cost.

Uttarkhand relief activities

PRAYAS joined the nation in relief activities and rehabilitation of the victims of the Uttarkhand disaster. Funds were collected amongst the students and were forwarded to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.

A visit to the Post Natal ward CH pune

Following the lecture by Col Srivastav, PRAYAS went to the post natal ward in Command Hospital, Pune on 19 July. The members were accompanied by the Officer in Charge Col Cariappa . PRAYAS  interacted with the mothers admitted in the post natal ward and talked to them about the various methods of contraception.

Lecture by Col Srivastav

In view of the World Population Day ( 11 July ) PRAYAS club decided to designate the topic of the month of July as 'Population'. Also, a guest lecture by Col Srivastav ( Dpt of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, AFMC) was held on 16 July. Prayas members were sensitized to the problems of rapid population growth, especially in the Indian scenario. Also discussed were the various methods of contraception as a means of population control.

PRAYAS visits Ayodhya Charitable Trust 

PRAYAS club members visited Ayodhya Charitable Trust for the Hearing Impaired children situated at wanawadi on 7.07.13. Its a school which offers education to the hearing impaired children. The school also offers certified courses in sign language to teachers.

PRAYAS donated soft toys and cloths to the school and also spent some time with the children.

A visit to the blind school

PRAYAS payed a visit to the Kamla Amul Massand Technical Training Institute of Poona Blind Men's Association situated at Wanawadi on 2.07.13. It is a training institute where the visually impaired are trained in various vocations. the young children are also schooled. the institute has a wonderful collection of braille books and audio books.

PRAYAS conducted a cloth collection drive in the college and the cloths where donated to the institute.