Sanghshakti (Weekly Newsletter of Snehalaya)

Appeal for donations to save Shraddha's life.

Shraddha Gulabrao Sathe is an orphan girl in Snehalaya Rehabiliation center.  As a  dedicated student, she took up a vocational course in Nursing at Auxilium Community College, Savedi, Ahmednagar.  She successfully completed the course and joined Dr. Hemant Deshpande Hospital for internship, 6 months ago. She has been a very prompt and skilled Nurse and was promoted in a very short time for being a  caring and patient friendly.

Last month, she started complaining of stomach pains and Dr. Deshpande diagnosed that she is suffering from a rare condition of acute Budd Chirai Syndrome. She has  been taking treatment at Swastya Hospital. Because of accumulation of fluid, a condition called Ascites  she is unable to even sit, because of the pain.

Every six hours the fluid has to be extracted out of her abdomen in a painful procedure just to keep her alive. She has not able to take any food for the last 30 days. Now her condition has worsened and we have admitted her to K.E.M. Hospital, Mumbai under observation of Dr. Deshmukh (International Radiologist).  She has been advised to undergo  a major surgery within next 7 days.  The doctor believes that she can survive and can lead a normal life post surgery.  The estimated expense of the operation is Rs. 2.5 Lakhs. (Approx US $ 5,000)

While Snehalaya tries to provide the best possible care for all our inmates, we are unable to manage this huge unplanned expense for one inmagte. We appeal to all our well wishers to donate generously to save the life of Shradha, who is fighting for survival. 

You can send your donations by sending  a cheque to KEM hospital and mention the patient name (Ms. Shraddha Gulabrao Sathe).  The address is KEM Hospital, Acharya Donde Marg, Parel. Mumbai 400012. India.  Phone # +91 22 2413 6051 

Alternatively, you can send your donations to Snehalaya directly. This will ensure you get the tax benefit for your donation.   Donations to Snehalaya can be  made by any of the following means.

By Cheque / Demand draft 


Please make the payment by cheque or demand draft in in favor of 'Snehalaya' payable at Ahmadnagar, Maharashtra. 

Send the cheque / demand draft by post to below address


Snehalaya Bhavan,
Opp Chitra Theatre, 

Near Mahatma Gandhi Maidan, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India. 414001.


Telephone: + 91 241 2327593, + 91 241 2327555,+ 91 241 2778656


Fax: + 91 241 2323772



By Bank Transfer (In country Donations)


Bank Name: HDFC Bank


Branch: Market Yard Branch, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India


Account Number: 01811000053339


Name of Account holder: Snehalaya


Type of account: Savings Account


9 digit MICR number : 414002001


RTGS/IFSC Code: HDFC0000181



By Bank Transfer (Foreign Donations)


Bank Name: State Bank of India


Branch: Main Branch, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra,  India


Account Number: 11117726495


Name of Account holder : Snehalaya


9 digit MICR number : 414002001


Type of account: Current Account


SWIFT Code/ Remittance Instructions: SBININBB507

A MUTE march by Snehalaya to express the voice of civil society

Ahmednagar 15 th Oct, 2010

A MUTE march organized by Snehalaya expressed unrest in the civil society very loudly yesterday. The burning issues of adulterated milk, sand looting from rivers, the conditions of the basic amenities in slum; the harassment of sex workers  were the major issues addressed by this MUTE March. About 800 civil society members and several NGOs joined this unique march to district Collectorate  office.

This mute march, yet again highlighted the long standing demands of the district civil society. 1) Design a  holistic project for rehabilitation of prostitutes. 2)  Take strong action against the sellers of adulterated milk 3) Stop the sand lobby and miners from illegal excavation of sands from the river beds 4) provide basic facilities in the slums.

           The public meeting at Collectorate was addressed by Milind Kulkarni, Ambadas Chavan, Jaya Magar, Meenatai Shinde, Sangita Shelar. Adv.Shyam Asava read the application to government.  Mr.Deepak Papdeja of M.R. Organisation, Dr.Sunil Bothe of doctors organization, Mr.Milind Gandhe of Vivekanand Pratishthan., Adv.Gaffar Shaikh of Yatimkhana,  Mr.Vinod Bothra of Merchant organization also addressed on the occasion.

         Mr. Nanasaheb Bothe,  Additional Collector had detailed discussions with agitators.  He assured the protesting people that he would convey the demands  to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra to take appropriate action. We eagerly wait to see the outcome of this assurance.

Snehalaya' Himmat Gram project for rehabilitation of victim women. Police chief supports the cause.

Ahmednagar, 1st Oct. 2010,

Mr. Krushna prakash , 
District police chief, Ahmednagar

"The Police will not allow the brothels, will take strong actions against the brothel keepers, pints, procurers and on clients in case of minor victim under the PITA (prevention of immoral trafficking) act. We would like to support the unique initiatives of Snehalaya for the Rehabilitation and empowerment of victim women", said Mr. Krishna Prakash, the District Police Chief of Ahmednagar.

Mr. Krushna Prakash  
Planting a tree at Himmat gram

Mr. Krishna Prakash was addressing a huge gathering of victim women in red light areas of Ahmednagar district. More than 400 women were present from all parts of Ahmednagar district. These women have raised issues of their survival as all the red light areas are closed since 3 months following 30 police raids on brothels. For the first time in the district, the Police have used PITA act against the brothel keepers than against victim women. This is dramatic change in the attitude of police in addressing the issue. 

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Commercial sex workers have complained that no concrete steps were taken by the government for their rehabilitation till this date. All women have unanimously agreed to give up prostitution if they support by their shelter and jobs. Smt. Jaya Jogdand said that politicians, bureaucrats and sugar baron have ammassed thousands of acres of land in the district but the exploited women have no place to live.  The women  and Snehalaya have submitted more than 3 dozan proposals for the land. The Smt. Meena shined, Gaeta More, Suita Unawake also expressed similar feelings.


Snehalaya along with this women have submitted several applications to government. To start the process of rehabilitation Snehalaya has given 2 pieces  of land (of 1000 sq. feet each) to 2 victim women in prostitution to create the new life  in the project Himmat Gram.  Along with shelter, the women will be provided free treatment for de-addition, water, electricity, and ration till they find an employment .  Snehalaya has decided to share 2 acres of owned land among 80 women. For the first time the NGO is taking the direct action and to shift the women from red-light areas to normal human life by assuring a right over land.   Snehalaya is hopeful about the experiment.  Himmatgram project will created a developed self sustained village  with  it's own work in Agriculture, Horticulture, Dairy, Nursery Unit, pipeline from water storage tank. Snehalaya needs financial recourses to shoulder this challenge.




   

More than two thousand well wishers attend the Snehalaya's annual award ceremony

Ahmednagar , 27th September, 2010 

More than 2000 well wishers, past students, volunteers and Donors of Snehalaya were present on annual get-together and award ceremony.  Eminent personalities from all walks of life were present at the occasion. Padmabhushan Dr.K.H.Sancheti (renowned Orthopedic surgeon from Pune)     ,Mr. Raju Shetty, (Member of Parliament and leader of Farmer's movement), Mr. Baban Pachpute (Guardian Minister,  Ahmednagar District), Dr. P.Anbalagan (District Collector, Ahmednagar),Dr. Bapu Kandekar (Heart Surgeon and M.D of Noble Hospital and Research centre) were among the participants. Dr.Sancheti has inaugurated the Exhibition of various projects of Snehalaya in Alliance Auditorium. 

             
Background of Snehalaya Award Ceremony
 On this occasion , the  several selfless grass root social workers were honored with  various  awards. Each awards includes Rs. 11 thousands , a scroll of honor and a memento.  This was the 10th year of the award ceremony which began with a fund donated veteran Social worker Mr. Madhusudan alias Mama Kaundinya. He was the principal of Sangamner College for 38 years which is established by him. Mr. Kaundinya has distributed his entire  lifetime earnings including his house and farm at Sangamner to 11 worthy NGOs, including Snehalaya. At Snehalaya this fund is used to encourage like minded volunteers and NGOs This year following social workers were selected .

1-Mr.Anshu Gupta(Goonj Institution ,New Delhi  ) - 'Sane Guruji award' for innovative  grass root social work.

 2-Smt.Sudhatai Lodha (Satya sadhana Mahila Mandal, Pune) - 'Mahamanav Baba Amte Award' for remarkable work of  social change .

3- Mrs. Jyoti Pthania (Chaitnya Mahila Mandal, Bhosari,Pune) - 'Com.Godavari Parulekar Award' for working for betterment of  neglected girls and women .

4-Mr. Rajeev Pandit-(Jividha institution working in Sahyadri mountain ranges ) - 'Dr. Dhananjayrao  Gadgil award' for Rural development and environment protection .

5-Mr.Raju Shetty (Founder of Swabhimani Shetakari Sanghatana, Maharashtra and Member of Parilament) - 'Prof. Madhu Dandawate award' for the ideal parliamentarian

6- Mr.Vijay Dhopavakar (D.Y.S.P , in charge  of anti corruption dept.) - 'Anna Hazare Anti corruption crusader award' for outstanding work to curb the curruption .

7-Dr.Ashwini Jojara( Sahyog India Institution , Jammu and Kashmir) - Freedom fighter 'M.V Devchakke Award' for strengthening the spirit of freedom struggle .

8- Mrs. Pushpalata Ranbagul (Snehjyoti Project of Snehalaya) - 'Late.Lata Pawar Atma parivatrtan Award' for changing own life and becoming the role model for other women .

9- Mr. Ajay Kale( Snehalaya  rehabilitation centre) - 'Govardhandasji Gujar award' for dedicated volunteering in Snehalaya .

 All the recipients  shared their experiences and their work. 

Dr.Sancheti said that he was successful only because he never forgets his starved  child hood.  Mr. Raju Shetty told that he was a small farmer who lost his father very early He was moved by the the pitiable condition of farmers and their exploitation. He was inspired by Sharad Joshi , a farmer leader and founder of Shetkari Sanghatana. Later he has formed his own political party and organization named Swabhimani Shetakari Sanghatana. Twice he was elected to  Maharashtra legislative assembly and in 2010 was elected to the 'Loksabha'.    

         
Mr.Shetty told that he wants to represent the NGOs in the parliament. He would happily share his good office and position of M.P. to solve the problems of the common people through the NGOs. He has expressed optimism that strong networks and united actions  of the honest NGOs will influence the programs and the practices of the government at large extent.

Mr.Babanrao Pachpute, Guardian Minister of Ahmednagar District appreciated the work of Snehalaya,  while Dr. Kandekar said that Snehalaya is pride of Maharashtra .He felt proud to preside the function and was moved to see various activities of Snehalaya. 

Mrs. Bagul said that the prostitutes are treated as secondary citizen of the country. Government offers several facilities to dalits, trials ,and other weaker sections of the society while forced sex workers who were living in worse conditions had no recourse to government protection or rehabilitation. She gave an application to Mr. Shetty and Mr. Pachpute to help the exploited commercial sex workers of Maharashtra

From Snehalaya, Mr.Milind Kulkarni , Sandiop Kusalkar, Dagadu Lomate, Ajit Kulkarni , Ambadas Chavan and Anil Gawade spoke at the occasion.