PINK CONNEXION (AUGUST -OCTOBER 2018)

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PINK CONNE ION Volume 5 Issue 1 Aug-Oct ‘18

‘My cancer happened for a reason’ Mumbai diva, Devieka Bhojwani

Rediscovering Kolhapur

Jo Chopra McGowan Being a mother to special children

BEHIND The Scenes

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When I see our generation obsessed with diets, exercise, health and longevity, I dream of the simpler times our grandparents lived in. A generation that mostly ate homecooked meals, as restaurants were few and far, even in big cities like Hyderabad. They used to walk miles by foot in the absence of fancy cars and best of all, they used to have a good night’s sleep without distractions of television, mobile or social media. They didn’t obsess about their fitness or whether they ate too much, yet they lived long and stayed healthy. We are a generation that worries about staying healthy, yet I hear of people coming down with serious, life-threatening diseases. God does not play dice with the universe, Einstein, the scientist-philosopher had written but with so many people in my own circle taking ill or passing on suddenly, I wonder, if indeed he does. Or, whether it’s our life now that is riddled with many complexities and stress (that ubiquitous word we use for everything) or is it because of the environment we have pillaged that is triggering these dreadful ailments. What sort of world are we leaving our children I wonder? The weather is no longer what it used to be, the snow-capped mountains and glaciers are melting at a faster rate than we can imagine, the rivers and water bodies are drying up, and forest covers are disappearing. There is a heavy usage of pesticides on the crops, so what we eat is laden with chemicals. We may think eating greens and carrots is going to keep us healthy, when, in fact, the chemicals entering the blood stream are doing more harm than good. There is no use blaming god for the randomness of our lives, when it seems we are digging our own graves. Literally. One friend, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, wrote to me that she is now living a healthier life than ever, drinking organic milk and eating organically grown vegetables, indulging in pranayama and meditation. Maybe, it has come too late for her.

Ratna Rao Shekar

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EDITOR Ratna Rao Shekar

SURVIVING CANCER Devieka Bhojwani believed she was guided by an angel during her ‹ŠĴ•Žȹ Â’Â?Â‘ČąÂŒÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽÂ›ÇŻČą Â?ČąÂŠÂ•ÂœÂ˜ČąÂ•ÂŽÂ?ȹ‘Ž›ȹÂ?Â˜ČąÂ?’œŒ˜Â&#x;Ž›ȹŠȹ‘’Â?Â‘ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ™ÂžÂ›Â™Â˜ÂœÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ȹ‘Ž•™’—Â?Čą ž—Â?Ž›™›’Â&#x;’•ŽÂ?ÂŽÂ?ČąÂŒÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽÂ›ČąÂ™ÂŠÂ?’Ž—Â?ÂœČą

CONTRIBUTORS Minal Khona Anil Mulchandani

MAKING A DIFFERENCE Â‘Â’ÂœČąÂ’Âœȹ¢ÂŽÂ?ČąÂŠÂ—Â˜Â?Â‘ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ’Â—ÂœÂ™Â’Â›Â’Â—Â?ČąÂœÂ?˜›¢ȹ˜Â?ČąÂŠČąÂ–Â˜Â?‘Ž›ȯ Â˜Čą Â‘Â˜Â™Â›ÂŠČą ÂŒ ˜ ÂŠÂ—ČŻ  Â‘Â˜ČąÂœÂŽÂ?ČąÂžÂ™ČąÂŠČąÂŒÂŽÂ—Â?›Žȹ’—ȹ Ž‘›ŠÂ?ž—ȹÂ?Â˜ČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ•Â™ČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ?ŠžÂ?‘Â?Ž›ȹŠ—Â?ČąÂ˜Â?Â‘ÂŽÂ›ČąÂœÂ™ÂŽÂŒÂ’ÂŠÂ•Â•¢ȹ challenged children

PUBLISHED BY Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation

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HERITAGE ÂŽ ȹÂ›ÂŽÂŠÂ•Â’ÂœÂŽČąÂ?‘ŠÂ?Čą Â˜Â•Â‘ÂŠÂ™ÂžÂ›ČąÂ’Â—Čą Š‘Š›Šœ‘Â?Â›ÂŠČąÂ‘ÂŠÂœČąÂ–ÂŠÂ—¢ȹÂ•Â’Ä´Â•ÂŽČŹÂ”Â—Â˜ Â—ČąÂœÂ’Â?ÂŽÂœČą Â?‘ŠÂ?ȹŠ›ŽȹÂ?›Ž—Œ‘ŽÂ?ČąÂ’Â—ČąÂ‘Â’ÂœÂ?˜›¢ǯȹ Â?ČąÂ˜Â—Â•¢ȹÂ–Â˜Â›ÂŽČąÂŒÂŠÂ—ČąÂ‹ÂŽČąÂ?Â˜Â—ÂŽČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂŠÄ´Â›ÂŠÂŒÂ?ČąÂ?˜ž›’œÂ?ÂœČą to this unsung city

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MY VIEW Â—ČąÂ‘Â’ÂœČąÂŒÂ˜Â•ÂžÂ–Â—Ç°Čą ›ȹ Čą ŠÂ?‘žȹ Š–ȹÂ?Â’ÂœÂŒÂžÂœÂœÂŽÂœČąÂŠČąÂ™Â›Â˜Â“ÂŽÂŒÂ?ČąÂŒÂ•Â˜ÂœÂŽČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ‘Â’ÂœČąÂ‘ÂŽÂŠÂ›Â?ČŻÂ?‘Žȹ ž™•’Â?Â?–Ž—Â?ČąÂ˜Â?ȹŠȹÂ&#x;’••ŠÂ?ÂŽČŻÂ‘Â’ÂœČąÂ?Š–’•¢ȹÂ‘ÂŠÂœČąÂŠÂ?˜™Â?ÂŽÂ?ȹ’—ȹ ÂŽÂ?Š”ȹÂ?Â’ÂœÂ?›’ŒÂ?

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UBF DIARY ČąÂ›Â˜ÂžÂ—Â?ČąÂžÂ™ČąÂ˜Â?ȹŽÂ&#x;Ž—Â?ÂœČąÂŠÂ—Â?ȹ—Ž ÂœČąÂ’—ȹÂ?‘Žȹ Â˜Â›Â•Â?ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ‹Â›ÂŽÂŠÂœÂ?ČąÂŒÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽÂ›ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ȹŠÂ?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation

DESIGN Malvika Mehra

PRINTED AT Kala Jyothi Process Pvt. Ltd. 1-1-60/5, RTC Cross Roads Musheerabad Hyderabad - 500 020 KIMS-USHALAKSHMI Centre for Breast Diseases Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Minister Road Secunderabad - 500 003 Tel: 040-44885190 / 040-44885191 Website: www.ubf.org.in ‘Ĵ™œǹȌȌ   ǯÂ?ÂŠÂŒÂŽÂ‹Â˜Â˜Â”ÇŻÂŒÂ˜Â–ČŚ ubfoundation

SURVIVING CANCER

“I believe in angels� Devieka Bhojwani When Devieka Bhojwani, a celebrity in Mumbai, was told she had breast cancer, she decided to view the cancer as a means to a higher purpose. And, after her recovery, went on to establish a non-profit organisation to support economically disadvantaged women suffering from cancer. Minal Khona catches up with this multi-faceted achiever

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Â˜Â–ÂŽČąÂ™ÂŽÂ˜Â™Â•ÂŽČąÂŠÂ›ÂŽČąÂ‹Â˜Â›Â—ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ•ÂŽÂŠÂ?Čą a charmed life. Till she was diagnosed with a virulent form of breast cancer, Devieka Bhojwani had it all. A loving husband whom she refers to as her soulmate, two kids, a career in theatre as an actress and a singer; and her own successful event –Š—ŠÂ?Ž–Ž—Â?ČąÂŒÂ˜Â–Â™ÂŠÂ—¢ǯȹ ÂŽÂ&#x;Â’ÂŽÂ”ÂŠČąÂ’ÂœČą the daughter of the late Usha Khanna,  Â‘Â˜ČąÂ‘ÂŠÂ?ČąÂœÂŽÂ?ČąÂžÂ™ČąÂ˜Â—ÂŽČąÂ˜Â?Čą ÂžÂ–Â‹ÂŠÂ’Č‚ÂœČą Â’ÂŒÂ˜Â—Â’ÂŒČąÂŒÂŠÂ?¡ÂœČŻ Š–˜Â&#x;Š›ȯat the

Ž‘Š—Â?’›ȹ ›Â?Čą Š••Ž›¢ǯȹ ÂŽÂ&#x;Â’ÂŽÂ”ÂŠČ‚ÂœČąÂœÂ’ÂœÂ?Ž›ȹ

is the noted editor and columnist, Malavika Sanghvi. Shortly after celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary in May, ÂŽÂ&#x;Â’ÂŽÂ”ÂŠČ‚ÂœČąÂ•Â’Â?ÂŽČąÂŒÂ‘ÂŠÂ—Â?ÂŽÂ?ÇŻČą —ȹ ÂžÂ—ÂŽČąĹ˜Ĺ–Ĺ–Ĺ–Ç°Čą ÂœÂ‘ÂŽČąÂŠÂŒÂŒÂ˜Â–Â™ÂŠÂ—Â’ÂŽÂ?ȹ‘Ž›ȹÂ?ŠžÂ?‘Â?Ž›ȹÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂ?‘Žȹ medical tests she had to do to study Š‹›˜ŠÂ?ÇŻČąČƒ ČąÂ?Â˜Â—Č‚Â?ČąÂ”Â—Â˜ ȹ Â‘ŠÂ?ȹ–ŠÂ?ÂŽČą me get my tests done too,â€? recalls Devieka. She says, “I was healthy and had never been sick; but like most women leading a busy life, at 47, I had let myself go a bit, and had

gained some weight too. In the routine sonogram, the doctor found a dark ™ŠÂ?ÂŒÂ‘ČąÂ˜Â—ČąÂ˜Â—ÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ȹ–¢ȹ˜Â&#x;ÂŠÂ›Â’ÂŽÂœÇŻČą Â?ȹ ÂŠÂœČąÂŠČą dermoid, a benign cyst that sometimes Â?ÂŽÂ&#x;ÂŽÂ•Â˜Â™ÂœČąÂ˜Â—ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ˜Â&#x;ÂŠÂ›Â’ÂŽÂœÇŻČą Â?Â?Ž›ȹÂ?‘Žȹ blood test and the mammogram, I was asked to wait till the doctor checked Â?‘Žȹ ȏ›Š¢ȹ™•ŠÂ?ÂŽÂœÇŻČą ‘Žȹ‘ŠÂ?ČąÂœÂ™Â˜Ä´ÂŽÂ?ȹŠȹÂ?ÂŽ ȹ Â–Â’ÂŒÂ›Â˜ÂœÂŒÂ˜Â™Â’ÂŒČąÂœÂ™ÂŽÂŒÂ”ÂœČąÂ˜Â—ČąÂ?‘Žȹ ȏ›Š¢ȹ˜Â?Čą –¢ȹ›’Â?‘Â?ČąÂ‹Â›ÂŽÂŠÂœÂ?ȹŠ—Â?ȹ ÂŠÂ—Â?ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ›ÂŽÂ™ÂŽÂŠÂ?Čą the mammogram. On the second mammogramÇ°ČąÂœÂ‘ÂŽČąÂ™Â’ÂŒÂ”ÂŽÂ?ČąÂžÂ™ČąÂŠČąÂ–Â’ÂŒÂ›Â˜ČŹ ŒŠ•Œ’ęŒŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂ˜Â—ČąÂ–¢ȹ›’Â?‘Â?ČąÂ‹Â›ÂŽÂŠÂœÂ?Čą

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ÇťÂŠČąÂŒÂ•ÂžÂœÂ?ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?’—¢ȹ Â‘Â’Â?ÂŽČąÂœÂ™Â˜Â?Âœǟǯȹ ‘Žȹ œ™ŽŒ”œȹ ÂŽÂ›ÂŽČąÂœÂŽÂŽÂ—ČąÂŒÂ•Â˜ÂœÂŽČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂŽÂŠÂŒÂ‘Čą ˜Â?‘Ž›ȹ‹žÂ?ČąÂŒÂ˜Â—Ä™Â—ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ’Â—ČąÂŠČąÂœÂ–ÂŠÂ•Â•Čą area. I was advised to have it investigated further.â€? By now, Devieka was nervous. She broke the news to her husband Suresh and called her gynaecologist. ‘Žȹ ÂŽÂ—Â?ČąÂ?‘›˜žÂ?‘ȹÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ›ÂŽÂ™Â˜Â›Â?ÂœÇ°ČąÂŠÂ—Â?Čą suggested they consult an oncologist. Čƒ ÂŽČąÂŠÂŒÂ?žŠ••¢ȹŠœ”ŽÂ?ČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ›Ç°ČąČ Â‘Â˜Č‚ÂœČąÂŠÂ—Čą ˜—Œ˜•˜Â?Â’ÂœÂ?ǾȂȹ Â‘ÂŽÂ—ČąÂœÂ‘ÂŽČąÂœÂŠÂ’Â?Ç°ČąČ ČąÂŒÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽÂ›Čą œ™ŽŒ’Š•’œÂ?Ç°Č‚ČąÂ˜ÂžÂ›ČąÂ‘ÂŽÂŠÂ›Â?ÂœČąÂœÂŠÂ—Â”ÇŻČą Â˜Â›ČąÂ?‘Žȹ ꛜÂ?ČąÂ?Â’Â–ÂŽÇ°ČąÂœÂ˜Â–ÂŽÂ‹Â˜Â?¢ȹ‘ŠÂ?ČąÂžÂœÂŽÂ?Čą the dreaded C-word and we were stunned! I was healthy with no Âœ¢Â–™Â?Â˜Â–ÂœÇŻČą ȹ‘ŠÂ?ȹ–¢ȹÂ‹ÂŠÂ‹Â’ÂŽÂœČąÂŠÂ?ȹŠȹ¢Â˜ÂžÂ—Â?Čą age, breastfed both for a year, so what was all this about cancer? Suddenly, ČąÂŒÂ˜ÂžÂ•Â?—ȂÂ?ȹ‹›ŽŠÂ?Â‘ÂŽÇ°Č„ČąÂœÂ‘ÂŽČąÂ›ÂŽÂŒÂŠÂ•Â•ÂœÇŻČą Her gynaecologist recommended ›ȹ ›ŠÂ?ž•ȹ ÂŽÂœÂŠÂ’ÇŻČąČƒ ȹ™›Š¢ÂŽÂ?ȹ•’”Žȹ—ŽÂ&#x;Ž›ȹ before, gave myself Reiki, and went  Â’Â?‘ȹŠȹÂ&#x;Ž›¢ȹ™˜œ’Â?Â’Â&#x;Žȹ–’—Â?ČŹÂœÂŽÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜Čą meet the doctor. Though, we were trying hard to be brave, we were scared,â€? she remembers. Dr Desai examined her thoroughly, studied her mammograms, and told her that ÂŠČąÂ–Â’ÂŒÂ›Â˜ČŹÂŒÂŠÂ•ÂŒÂ’Ä™ÂŒÂŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂŒÂ˜ÂžÂ•Â?ȹ‹ŽȹÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÄ™Â›ÂœÂ?Čą stages of a tumour. He advised her to have it removed to ensure that it  Â˜ÂžÂ•Â?ČąÂ—Â˜Â?ČąÂ?›˜ ȹŠ—Â?ČąÂœÂ™Â›ÂŽÂŠÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ?‘Žȹ surrounding areas.

results and it was quite harrowing. ¢ȹ–˜Â?Â‘ÂŽÂ›ČąÂŠÂŒÂŒÂ˜Â–Â™ÂŠÂ—Â’ÂŽÂ?ȹ–ŽȹÂ?Â˜ČąÂ?‘Žȹ ‘˜œ™’Â?ÂŠÂ•ČąÂ˜Â—ČąÂŠÂ•Â•ČąÂ–¢ȹÂ&#x;’œ’Â?ÂœÇŻČą ‘Žȹ‘ŠÂ?ȹŠȹ ™›˜‹•Ž–ȹ Â’Â?Â‘ČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ”Â—ÂŽÂŽÂœČąÂŠÂ—Â?ȹ Â˜ÂžÂ•Â?Čą lean on me while walking into the hos™’Â?Š•ǯȹ ȹ Â˜ÂžÂ•Â?ȹ ÂŠÂ•Â”ČąÂ›ÂŠÂ–Â›Â˜Â?ČąÂœÂ?›Š’Â?‘Â?Čą  Â’Â?‘ȹ–¢ȹ‹ŠÂ?ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ›ÂŽÂ™Â˜Â›Â?ÂœÇ°ČąÂŠÂœČąÂ’Â?Čą ȹ ÂŠÂœČą ‘Ž•™’—Â?ȹ‘Ž›ǯȹ Â˜Ç°ČąÂŽÂ&#x;Ž›¢Â˜Â—ÂŽČąÂ™Â›ÂŽÂœÂžÂ–ÂŽÂ?Čą I was bringing her to the doctor. It ‘Ž•™ŽÂ?ČąÂ‹ÂŽÂŒÂŠÂžÂœÂŽČą ȹ ÂŠÂœČąÂ“žœÂ?ČąÂ—Â˜Â?ȹ›ŽŠÂ?¢ȹÂ?Â˜Čą face any questions.â€? A far cry from the ÂŽÂ&#x;Â’ÂŽÂ”ÂŠČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?˜Â?Š¢ǰȹ Â‘Â˜ČąÂœÂ™ÂŽÂŠÂ”ÂœČąÂŠÂ?Čą ÂŽÂ? Čą Â?ÂŠÂ•Â”ÂœČąÂŠÂ‹Â˜ÂžÂ?ȹ‘Ž›ȹ‹ŠĴ•Žȹ Â’Â?Â‘ČąÂŒÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽÂ›ÇŻČą After a week, t‘Žȹ™ŠÂ?‘˜•˜Â?Â’ÂœÂ?ČąÂ?˜•Â?ȹ‘Ž›ȹ that the tests had shown a malignancy. She was devastated. Her mother was shaken too. She was detected with Interductal Carcinoma; the malignancy was at an early stage where it was ÂœÂ?Â’Â•Â•ČąÂŒÂ˜Â—Ä™Â—ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ?‘ŽȹÂ?žŒÂ?ÂŠÂ•ČąÂŠÂ›ÂŽÂŠÂœÇ°ČąÂ‹ÂžÂ?Čą Â’Â?ČąÂŒÂ˜ÂžÂ•Â?ȹ‘ŠÂ&#x;ÂŽČąÂœÂ™Â›ÂŽÂŠÂ?ČąÂ?ŠœÂ?ÇŻČą Â?ȹ ÂŠÂœČąÂŠČą high-grade cancer, which was luckily caught early and removed with great Â™Â›ÂŽÂŒÂ’ÂœÂ’Â˜Â—ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂ‘Â˜Â™ÂŽÂ?ž••¢ǰȹŒ˜–™•ŽÂ?Ž•¢ǯ

‘ŽȹÂ?˜ŒÂ?Â˜Â›ÂœČąÂ‘ÂŠÂ?ČąÂ™Â›ÂŽÂœÂŒÂ›Â’Â‹ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ? Â˜Čą –˜—Â?Â‘ÂœČąÂ˜Â?ȹ›ŠÂ?’ŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ÇŻČą ’Ĵ’—Â?ȹŠÂ?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ ‘˜œ™’Â?Š•ȹÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂ? Â˜ȹ Â‘Â˜Â•ÂŽČąÂ–Â˜Â—Â?Â‘ÂœÇ°Čą waiting for her turn at the radiation centre, gave her a chance to interact with children, men and women of all ŠÂ?ÂŽÂœČąÄ™Â?‘Â?’—Â?ČąÂŒÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽÂ›ÇŻČą ‘Žȹ ÂŠÂœČąÂ’—œ™’›ŽÂ?Čą by their courage. Devieka however continued with her regular routine. She says, “While Â?‘Žȹ›ŠÂ?’ŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂ?‘Ž›Š™¢ȹ ÂŠÂœČąÂ˜Â—Ç°Čą ȹ ÂŠÂœČą still going out as usual. I also had ÂŠÂ—ČąÂ’Â–Â™Â˜Â›Â?Š—Â?ȹŽÂ&#x;Ž—Â?ȹ Â‘Ž›Žȹ Š‘Š›Š—’ȹ Gayatri Devi was going to be honoured.â€? But, the radiation took a Â?Â˜Â•Â•ČąÂ˜Â—ČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ›ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂœÂ’Â?ÂŽČŹÂŽÄ›ÂŽÂŒÂ?ÂœČąÂ•ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜Čą memory loss and weight gain. She reminiscÂŽÂœÇ°ČąČƒ Č‚Â?ȹ–ŽŽÂ?ČąÂŒÂ•Â˜ÂœÂŽČąÂ?›’Ž—Â?ÂœČą Š—Â?ČąÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂŠČąÂ–Â’Â—ÂžÂ?ÂŽČąÂ˜Â›ČąÂœÂ˜Ç°Čą ȹ Â˜ÂžÂ•Â?—ȂÂ?Čą be able to recall who they were. ¢ȹ‘žœ‹Š—Â?ȹ”—Ž ȹŠ‹˜žÂ?ȹ’Â?ČąÂœÂ˜ČąÂ‘ÂŽČ‚Â?Čą ÂœÂŠÂ˘Ç°ČąČ ÂŠÂ&#x;ÂŽȹ¢Â˜ÂžČąÂœÂŠÂ’Â?ȹ‘’ȹÂ?Â˜ČąÂœÂ˜ČŹÂŠÂ—Â?ČŹÂœÂ˜Č‚Čą naming them and I would get it and start talking.â€? Today, her memory is Š•–˜œÂ?ČąÂŒÂ˜Â–Â™Â•ÂŽÂ?Ž•¢ȹÂ‹ÂŠÂŒÂ”ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂ?ŽĴ’—Â?Čą ‹ŽĴŽ›ǯȹ ÂœČąÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂ?‘Žȹ ÂŽÂ’Â?‘Â?ČąÂ?ÂŠÂ’Â—Ç°ČąÂœÂ‘ÂŽČą walks and exercises regularly but she reckons, “At 65, I am a few kilos overweight but I think it is okay.â€?

ČąÂ•ÂžÂ–Â™ÂŽÂŒÂ?˜–¢ȹ ÂŠÂœČąÂ™ÂŽÂ›Â?˜›–ŽÂ?ČąÂ˜Â—ČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ›Čą right breast, where only the cancerous area was removed. She reminisces, “I had to wait for a week for the

Devieka relied on alternative modes of ‘ŽŠ•’—Â?ČąÂŠÂ•Â˜Â—Â?ȹ Â’Â?‘ȹ›ŠÂ?’ŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂ?‘Ž›Š™¢ȹ Š—Â?ČąÂ?›žÂ?ÂœČąÂ?‘ŠÂ?ČąÂœÂ‘ÂŽČąÂ‘ÂŠÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ?Š”ŽȹÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÄ™Â&#x;ÂŽČą ¢ÂŽÂŠÂ›ÂœÇŻČą Â‘ÂŽČąÂŠÂ•ÂœÂ˜ČąÂ™Â›ÂŠÂŒÂ?’ŒŽÂ?ČąÂ&#x;’œžŠ•’œŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—Čą and meditation techniques she had •ŽŠ›—Â?ȹŠÂ?Čą ›ȹ ŽŽ™Šȹ Â‘Â˜Â™Â›ÂŠČ‚Âœȹ Â˜Â›Â”ÂœÂ‘Â˜Â™Čą a decade ago. She says, “I know it is ‘Š›Â?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ?ÂŽÂŽÂ•ČąÂ™Â˜ÂœÂ’Â?Â’Â&#x;ÂŽČąÂŠÂ‹Â˜ÂžÂ?ȹ Â‘ŠÂ?ČąÂŒÂŠÂ—Čą ™˜Â?Ž—Â?’Š••¢ȹ‹ŽȹŠ—ȹŠÂ?Ž—Â?ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?ŽŠÂ?‘ǰȹ‹žÂ?Čą it is this catalyst that takes you closer Â?Â˜ČąÂ?‘Žȹ ™’›’Â?Ç°ČąÂ?ž’Â?ÂŽÂœȹ¢Â˜ÂžČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ›ÂŽÂŒÂ˜Â&#x;Ž›¢ȹ ÂŽÂ&#x;Ž›¢ȹÂœÂ?ÂŽÂ™ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ ÂŠ¢ȹŠ—d I do feel very, very blessed.â€?

Actress Rekha with Devieka at a breast cancer awareness event

Devieka Bhojwani with Shabana Azmi, Dr Bhaskar Rao, MD & CEO, KIMS and other guests inaugurating Pink Ribbon Evening 2009 organised by Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation

Devieka genuinely believed at that Â?’–ŽȹÂ?‘ŠÂ?ČąÂŠČąČ Â‘Â’Â?‘Ž›ȹ‹Ž’—Â?Č‚ȹ ÂŠÂœČąÂ?Š”’—Â?Čą care of her and she would survive this ordeal. She says, “I began to believe ’—ȹŠ—Â?ÂŽÂ•ÂœÇ°ČąÂŠÂœČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ•Â™ȹ Â˜ÂžÂ•Â?ČąÂŒÂ˜Â–ÂŽČąÂ?Â›Â˜Â–Čą Â?Â›Â˜Â–ČąÂ?’쎛Ž—Â?ČąÂœÂ˜ÂžÂ›ÂŒÂŽÂœÇŻČą ›ȹ Â‘Â˜Â™Â›ÂŠČą gave me some healing mantras to chant. A client asked me to organise ÂŠČąÂ™Â›ÂŽÂœÂœČąÂŒÂ˜Â—Â?ÂŽÂ›ÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂŽČąÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂŠČąÂ‘Â˜Â–Â˜ÂŽÂ˜Â™ÂŠÂ?‘ȹ

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 Â‘Â˜ČąÂœÂ™ÂŽÂŒÂ’ÂŠÂ•Â’ÂœÂŽÂ?ȹ’—ȹ™›ŽÂ&#x;Ž—Â?’—Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ recurrence of cancer. My assistant Aruna guided me towards content online from where I got medicines to increase my immunity.â€? Anju Venkat, a nutritionist, gave her Â?ÂŽÂ?Â˜ÂĄČąÂ?Â’ÂŽÂ?ÂœČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ—ÂŽÂ?ŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂœÂ’Â?ÂŽČŹÂŽÄ›ÂŽÂŒÂ?ÂœČą of radiation. Every morning, she would eat a kilo of fruit along with wheatgrass juice. Thrice a day, she had juice that was a combination of Œ˜›’Š—Â?Ž›ȹ•ŽŠÂ&#x;ÂŽÂœČąÂœÂ™Â’Â”ÂŽÂ?ȹ Â’Â?Â‘ČąÂ•ÂŽÂ–Â˜Â—Čą and ginger. At noon, she had a big Â?Â•ÂŠÂœÂœČąÂ˜Â?ȹ›ŽÂ?ÂœČŻÂ?˜–ŠÂ?Â˜Ç°ČąÂ‹ÂŽÂŽÂ?›˜˜Â?ȹŠ—Â?Čą carrot juice. In the evening, it was Â“ÂžÂ’ÂŒÂŽČąÂ–ÂŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?Â›ÂŽÂŽÂ—ÂœČŻÂŒÂžÂŒÂžÂ–Â‹ÂŽÂ›Ç°Čą doodhi, amla and aloe vera etc., which –’—’–’œŽÂ?ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂœÂ’Â?ÂŽČŹÂŽÄ›ÂŽÂŒÂ?ÂœČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂ?ŠÂ&#x;ÂŽČą her a glowing skin. Devieka was worried however that —Ž ÂœČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ›ČąÂŒÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽÂ›ȹ Â˜ÂžÂ•Â?ČąÂœÂ™Â›ÂŽÂŠÂ?ÇŻČą ‘Žȹ  ÂŠÂœÂ—Č‚Â?ČąÂœÂžÂ›ÂŽČąÂ‘Â˜ ȹœ‘Žȹ Â˜ÂžÂ•Â?ȹ‘Š—Â?•Žȹ all the cur’˜œ’Â?¢ȹŠ—Â?ȹŠĴŽ—Â?Â’Â˜Â—ÇŻČą žÂ?Ç°Čą Â?Žœ™’Â?ÂŽČąÂŠÂ•Â•ČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ›ČąÂŽÄ›Â˜Â›Â?ÂœČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ‘Â’Â?ÂŽČąÂ?‘ŽȹÂ?ŠŒÂ?Čą Â?‘ŠÂ?ČąÂœÂ‘ÂŽČąÂ‘ÂŠÂ?ČąÂ‹Â›ÂŽÂŠÂœÂ?ČąÂŒÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽÂ›Ç°ČąÂ™ÂŽÂ˜Â™Â•ÂŽČąÂ?˜Â?Čą to know. She reveals, “Jaya Bachchan, who is a close friend, called me to ask if I was alright. Jaya and I have been Â?›’Ž—Â?ÂœČąÂ?Â˜Â›ČąĹ˜Ĺ–ȹ¢ÂŽÂŠÂ›ÂœÇŻČą Â‘ÂŽČąÂ™Â›ÂŽÂœÂœÂŽÂ?ČąÂ˜Â—Čą and asked me to tell her the truth. ‘ŠÂ?Č‚Âœȹ Â‘Ž—ȹ ČąÂ›ÂŽÂŠÂ•Â’ÂœÂŽÂ?ČąÂœÂ‘ÂŽČąÂŠÂ•Â›ÂŽÂŠÂ?¢ȹ knew. She revealed that the designer Â?ÂžÂ˜Čą ‹žȹ Š—’ȹŠ—Â?Čą Š—Â?ŽŽ™ȹ Â‘Â˜ÂœÂ•ÂŠČąÂ‘ÂŠÂ?Čą ÂœÂŽÂŽÂ—ČąÂ–ÂŽČąÂŠÂ?ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ˜Â—ÂŒÂ˜Â•Â˜Â?Â’ÂœÂ?Č‚ÂœČąÂŒÂ•Â’Â—Â’ÂŒČąÂŠÂ—Â?Čą told her about it because they knew we were good friends. Strangely, it was a relief, to be able to talk about it with someone close.â€? Â‘ÂŽČąÂŠÂŒÂ?Â›ÂŽÂœÂœČąÂ‘ÂŠÂœČąÂ‹ÂŽÂŽÂ—ČąÂŠÂ—ČąÂ’Â—ÂœÂ™Â’Â›ÂŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—Čą to her. She says, “Jaya has handled every crisis in her life and not let Â?‘Žȹ‹ŠÂ?ČąÂ?Â’Â–ÂŽÂœČąÂŠÄ›ÂŽÂŒÂ?ȹ‘Ž›ǯȹ ‘Žȹ ÂŠÂœČąÂŠČą œž™™˜›Â?ČąÂœ¢ÂœÂ?Ž–ȹŠ—Â?Čą ČąÂ?Â˜Â—Č‚Â?ČąÂ?Â‘Â’Â—Â”ČąÂœÂ‘ÂŽČą ”—˜ ÂœČąÂ‘˜ ȹ’–™˜›Â?Š—Â?ČąÂœÂ‘ÂŽȹ ÂŠÂœČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ–¢ȹ ›ŽŒ˜Â&#x;Ž›¢ǯČ„Čą ÂŽÂ&#x;Â’ÂŽÂ”ÂŠČ‚ÂœČąÂœÂ’ÂœÂ?Ž›ȹ Š•ŠÂ&#x;’”Šȹ ÂŠÂ•ÂœÂ˜ČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ•Â™ÂŽÂ?ÇŻČą ‘Žȹ ÂŠÂœČąÂ?‘Ž›ŽȹÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ›Čą ‹žÂ?ČąÂ?Â’Â?ČąÂ—Â˜Â?ČąÂœÂ‘Â˜ ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ‘Ž›ȹ Â’Â?‘ȹ™’Â?¢ǯȹ Ž›ȹ ’—ȏ•Š ÂœČąÂ?Â˜Â˜ČąÂ?ŠÂ&#x;ÂŽČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ›ČąÂœÂ™ÂŠÂŒÂŽČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ?ŽŠ•ȹ with the disease in her own way. “But, my husband and kids were my Â?›ŽŠÂ?ÂŽÂœÂ?ČąÂœÂžÂ™Â™Â˜Â›Â?ČŻ ȹ—ŽÂ&#x;Ž›ȹÂ?Ž•Â?Čą ȹ ÂŠÂœČąÄ™Â?‘Â?’—Â?ČąÂŒÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽÂ›ČąÂŠÂ•Â˜Â—ÂŽČąÂ‹ÂŽÂŒÂŠÂžÂœÂŽČą of them,â€? she says. Today, Devieka believes the cancer ‘ŠÂ?ȹ‘Š™™Ž—ŽÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂŠČąÂ‘Â’Â?Â‘ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ™ÂžÂ›Â™Â˜ÂœÂŽÇŻČą ‘ŠÂ?ČąÂ™ÂžÂ›Â™Â˜ÂœÂŽȹ ÂŠÂœČąÂ›ÂŽÂ&#x;ŽŠ•ŽÂ?ȹ Â‘ÂŽÂ—ČąÂœÂ‘ÂŽČą

Her support system: Devieka with her husband Suresh and kids, Karan and Ruchika œŽÂ?ȹž™ȹÂ?‘Žȹ Â˜Â–ÂŽÂ—Č‚ÂœČą ÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽÂ›Čą —’Â?’ŠÂ?Â’Â&#x;ÂŽČą  Â’Â?‘ȹ ŠÂ?Šȹ ÂŽÂ–Â˜Â›Â’ÂŠÂ•Čą ˜œ™’Â?Š•ǯȹ ‘Žȹ ÂŽÂĄÂ™Â•ÂŠÂ’Â—ÂœÇ°ČąČƒ ¢ȹ›ŠÂ?’˜•˜Â?Â’ÂœÂ?Ç°ČąÂ?‘Žȹ•ŠÂ?ÂŽČą Dr Ketayun Dinshaw suggested that when I got stronger, I should create awareness about breast cancer and Â?ÂŠÂ•Â”ČąÂŠÂ‹Â˜ÂžÂ?ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ’Â–Â™Â˜Â›Â?ÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?ŽĴ’—Â?Čą mammograms done after 35.â€?

I know it is hard to feel positive about what can potentially be an agent of death, but it is this catalyst that takes you closer to the Spirit, guides you to recovery every step of the way and I do feel very, very blessed ‘ŠÂ?ČąÂ™Â›Â˜Â–Â™Â?ed her to start the Â˜Â–ÂŽÂ—Č‚ÂœČą ÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽÂ›Čą —’Â?’ŠÂ?Â’Â&#x;ÂŽČŻ ŠÂ?Šȹ ÂŽÂ–Â˜Â›Â’ÂŠÂ•Čą ˜œ™’Â?Š•ȹǝ •ȏ ǟǰȹ Â’Â—ČąĹ˜Ĺ–Ĺ–Ĺ™Ç°ČąÂŠÂœČąÂŠČąÂ™ÂŠÂ›Â?Â—ÂŽÂ›ÂœÂ‘Â’Â™ČąÂ‹ÂŽÂ? ÂŽÂŽÂ—Čą Devieka and TMH. It is a not-for™›˜ęÂ?Čą ȹ•ŽÂ?ȹ‹¢ȹÂ?‘ŽȹÂ?’›ŽŒÂ?Â˜Â›Ç°Čą ŠÂ?Šȹ Memorial Centre, Dr RA Badwe, ÂŽÂ&#x;’Ž”Šȹ ‘˜“ ÂŠÂ—’ȹŠ—Â?Čą ›ȹ žÂ?ŽŽ™ȹ ž™Â?ÂŠČąÂŠÂ•Â˜Â—Â?ȹ Â’Â?Â‘ČąÂ˜Â?Â‘ÂŽÂ›ČąÂŒÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽÂ›Čą ™‘¢ÂœÂ’ÂŒÂ’ÂŠÂ—ÂœÇ°ČąÂœÂžÂ›Â?ÂŽÂ˜Â—ÂœČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂ&#x;˜•ž—Â?ÂŽÂŽÂ›ÂœÇŻ ‘Žȹ ČŹ Č‚ÂœČąÂŒÂ˜Â›ÂŽČąÂŠÂŒÂ?Â’Â&#x;Â’Â?¢ȹ Â’ÂœČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ™Â›Â˜Â&#x;Â’Â?Žȹ–ŠÂ?Ž›’Š•ȹŠ—Â?Čą emotional su™™˜›Â?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂŽÂŒÂ˜Â—Â˜Â–Â’ÂŒÂŠÂ•Â•¢ȹ

disadvantaged women diagnosed with breast and gynaecological cancers. Â&#x;Ž›ȹřǰŖŖŖȹ Â˜Â–Ž—ȹ‘ŠÂ&#x;ÂŽČąÂ›ÂŽÂŒÂŽÂ’Â&#x;ÂŽÂ?ȹ‘Ž•™ǯȹ ‘Žȹ ČąÂ‘ÂŠÂœČąÂŠČąÂœ¢ÂœÂ?ÂŽÂ–ČąÂ’Â—ČąÂ™Â•ÂŠÂŒÂŽȹ Â‘Ž›Žȹ social workers examine each case carefully and they decide on treatment ™›˜Â?Â˜ÂŒÂ˜Â•ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ȹ Â‘Â˜ČąÂœÂ‘Â˜ÂžÂ•Â?ȹ‹ŽȹÂ?Â’Â&#x;Ž—ȹŠ’Â?Ç°Čą ÂœÂ’Â—ÂŒÂŽČąÂ–ÂŠÂ—¢ȹ™ŠÂ?’Ž—Â?ÂœČąÂŠÂ›ÂŽČąÂŠÂ‹ÂŠÂ—Â?˜—ŽÂ?ȹ‹¢ȹ their families due to lack of funds. She says, “Along with Elle magazine, we hold a carnival in three cities and  ÂŽČąÂ‘ŠÂ&#x;ÂŽČąÂ?Â’ÂŽČŹÂžÂ™Âœȹ Â’Â?Â‘ČąÂ˜Â?Â‘ÂŽÂ›ČąÂŒÂ˜Â›Â™Â˜Â›ÂŠÂ?ÂŽÂœÇŻČą ÂŽÂ˜Â™Â•ÂŽČąÂ‘ÂŠÂ&#x;Žȹ‹ŽŽ—ȹÂ&#x;Ž›¢ȹÂ?ÂŽÂ—ÂŽÂ›Â˜ÂžÂœÇŻČą We organise the Annual WCI-TMH Breast and Gynaecological Cancer ˜—Â?ÂŽÂ›ÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂŽČąÂ’Â—Čą ÂŒÂ?Â˜Â‹ÂŽÂ›Ç°ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂ™Â›Â˜Â–Â’Â—ÂŽÂ—Â?Čą oncologists from India and abroad deliberate on a focussed theme in each conference.â€? There is also a yearly œž›Â&#x;Â’Â&#x;Â˜Â›ČąÂ–ÂŽÂŽÂ?ȹŠĴŽ—Â?ÂŽÂ?ȹ‹¢ȹřŖȏŚŖȹ survivors from Mumbai. Devieka Â?Â’Â&#x;ÂŽÂœČąÂ?ÂŠÂ•Â”ÂœČąÂ˜Â—ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ’Â–Â™Â˜Â›Â?ÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽČąÂ˜Â?Čą frequent breast examinations from the ŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ČąĹ˜Ĺ›ČąÂŠÂ?ČąÂŒÂ˜Â•Â•ÂŽÂ?ÂŽÂœÇ°ČąÂŒÂ˜Â›Â™Â˜Â›ÂŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ˜ÄœÂŒÂŽÂœÇ°Čą Â?Â’Â›Â•ÂœČ‚ČąÂ‘Â˜ÂœÂ?ÂŽÂ•ÂœČąÂŽÂ?ÂŒÇŻČą Finally, this cancer survivor says Š‹˜žÂ?ČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ›ČąÂŽÂĄÂ™ÂŽÂ›Â’ÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂŽǹȹČƒ Â?ČąÂ‘ÂŠÂœČąÂ‹ÂŽÂŽÂ—ČąÂŠČą Â&#x;Ž›¢ȹ›Ž ÂŠÂ›Â?’—Â?ČąÂ“Â˜ÂžÂ›Â—ÂŽ¢ȹÂ?Â˜ČąÂ‹ÂŽČąÂ™ÂŠÂ›Â?ČąÂ˜Â?Čą ÂŠČąÂœÂžÂ™Â™Â˜Â›Â?ČąÂ?Â›Â˜ÂžÂ™ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ•Â™ČąÂ˜Â?‘Ž›ȹ Â˜Â–Ž—ȹ œžěŽ›’—Â?ČąÂ?Â›Â˜Â–ČąÂŒÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽÂ›Ç°ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂ›ÂŠÂ’ÂœÂŽČąÂ?ž—Â?ÂœČą Â?Â˜ČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ•Â™ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽÂ–ČąÄ™Â—ÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂ’ÂŠÂ•Â•¢ǯČ„ ÂŽÂ&#x;Â’ÂŽÂ”ÂŠČąÂ’ÂœČąÂŠČąÂ™ÂŽÂ›Â?ÂŽÂŒÂ?ČąÂŽÂĄÂŠÂ–Â™Â•ÂŽČąÂ˜Â?Čą ‘˜ ȹ™˜œ’Â?Â’Â&#x;ÂŽČąÂ?‘’—”’—Â?ČąÂŒÂŠÂ—ČąÂ–ÂŠÂ”ÂŽČąÂŠČą Â?Â’Ä›ÂŽÂ›ÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂŽÇŻČą Â‘ÂŽČąÂ‘ÂŠÂœČąÂŠÂ•ÂœÂ˜ČąÂœÂ‘Â˜ Â—ČąÂ‘Â˜ ȹÂ?Â˜Čą Â?ÂžÂ›Â—ČąÂŠČąÂŒÂŠÂ•ÂŠÂ–Â’Â?¢ȹ’—Â?Â˜ČąÂŠÂ—ČąÂ˜Â™Â™Â˜Â›Â?ž—’Â?¢ȹÂ?Â˜Čą do good.

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Jo Chopra McGowan: When a special child shows the way

Jo Chopra McGowan, an American midwife runs a well-known school and centre for the specially-abled in Dehradun. This centre was founded because of Uma Moy Moy, her adopted daughter. At the age of six, Moy Moy had cerebral palsy and by 16, she had quadriplegia that had left her wheelchair-bound.

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Here is an inspiring story of a mother, who set up a centre to help her daughter and other specially challenged children around the country. And, in turn, learnt an important life lesson from her daughter’s vulnerability—that life rests on “shared humanity�—we are all vulnerable and need each other. Nivedita Choudhuri writes a heart-warming story of an indefatigable mother who refused to give up Photographs: Latika Roy Foundation

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Â‘ÂŽÂ›ÂŽČ‚ÂœČą Šȹ Â?Â›ÂŠÄœÂŒČą “Š–ȹ ˜Â?Čą œ˜›Â?ÂœČą Â˜Â—Čą Â˜Čą Â‘Â˜Â™Â›ÂŠČą ÂŒ ˜ ÂŠÂ—Č‚ÂœČą Â?›’Â&#x;ÂŽ ÂŠ¢ǯȹ žÂ?Ç°ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽÂ›ÂŽČąÂŠÂ›ÂŽČąÂ—Â˜ČąÂ‘Â’ČŹÂ?ÂŽÂŒÂ‘Ç°ČąÂœÂ—ÂŠ££¢ȹœ™˜›Â?ÂœČąÂŒÂŠÂ›ÂœČą or luxury automobiles in sight. Instead, there are three humble wheelchairs that her daughter uses to get around. —Â?Ç°Čą Â?Â˜Â›Čą Â?‘Žȹ ĹœĹ–ȏ¢ÂŽÂŠÂ›ČŹÂ˜Â•Â?Čą Â˜ČŻÂ‘ÂŽÂ›Čą Â?ŠžÂ?‘Â?Ž›ȹ ˜¢ȹ ˜¢ȹ Â’ÂœČą Â?‘Žȹ centre of her universe.

Â˜Čą ÂŽÂĄÂ™Â•ÂŠÂ’Â—ÂœČą  Â‘ŠÂ?Čą Â–ÂŠÂ”ÂŽÂœČą Ĺ˜Ĺžȏ¢ÂŽÂŠÂ›ČŹÂ˜Â•Â?Čą ˜¢ȹ ˜¢ȹ Â?‘Žȹ ™’Â&#x;˜Â?Čą ˜Â?Čą Â?‘Žȹ Â?Š–’•¢ǯȹ Čƒ ‘Žȹ  ÂŠÂœÂ—Č‚Â?Čą –ŽŠ—Â?Čą Â?Â˜Čą ‹Žȹ Œ˜—ŒŽ’Â&#x;ÂŽÂ?Ç°Čą ‹žÂ?Čą ÂœÂ‘ÂŽČą  ÂŠÂœÇŻČą ‘Žȹ  ÂŠÂœÂ—Č‚Â?Čą –ŽŠ—Â?Čą Â?Â˜Čą ‹Žȹ Â‹Â˜Â›Â—Ç°Čą ‹žÂ?Čą ÂœÂ‘ÂŽČą  ÂŠÂœÇŻČą ‘Žȹ  ÂŠÂœÂ—Č‚Â?Čą –ŽŠ—Â?Čą Â?Â˜Čą œž›Â&#x;Â’Â&#x;ÂŽÇ°Čą ‹žÂ?Čą ÂœÂ‘ÂŽČą Â?Â’Â?ÇŻČą ‘Žȹ  ÂŠÂœÂ—Č‚Â?Čą –ŽŠ—Â?Čą Â?Â˜Čą ‹Žȹ Â˜ÂžÂ›Čą daughter, but she is most certainly our daughter,â€? says the Dehradun legend. —Â?ǰȹ Â‘Ž—ȹÂ?‘ŽȹÂ?Š–’•¢ȹ—ŽŽÂ?ÂŽÂ?ČąÂŠČąÂœÂ™ÂŽÂŒÂ’ÂŠÂ•ČąÂœÂŒÂ‘Â˜Â˜Â•ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂ?‘Ž›Žȹ ÂŠÂœČą Â—Â˜Â—ÂŽČąÂ’Â—ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽÂ’Â›ČąÂŒÂ’Â?¢ǰȹÂ?‘Ž¢ȹœ’–™•¢ȹÂ?ŽŒ’Â?ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂœÂ?Š›Â?ČąÂ˜Â—ÂŽÇŻČąČƒ Â?ȹ—ŽÂ&#x;Ž›ȹ ˜ŒŒž››ŽÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂŠÂ—¢ȹ˜Â?ČąÂžÂœČąÂ?‘ŠÂ?ČąÂœÂ?Š›Â?’—Â?ČąÂ˜Â—ÂŽȹ Â˜ÂžÂ•Â?ČąÂ‹ÂŽČąÂŠČąÂ™Â›Â˜Â‹Â•ÂŽÂ–ÇŻČą ˜ ǰȹÂ–Â˜Â›ÂŽČąÂ?‘Š—ȹÂ? Â˜ČąÂ?ŽŒŠÂ?ÂŽÂœČąÂ•ÂŠÂ?Ž›ǰȹ ˜¢ȹ ˜¢Č‚ÂœČąÂœÂŒÂ‘Â˜Â˜Â•ČąÂœÂŽÂ›Â&#x;ÂŽÂœČą hundreds of children from all over the country. Nearly 100 Â™ÂŽÂ˜Â™Â•ÂŽČąÂ‘ÂŠÂ&#x;ÂŽČąÂ“Â˜Â‹ÂœČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂŠČąÂ™ÂžÂ›Â™Â˜ÂœÂŽČąÂ’Â—ČąÂ•Â’Â?ÂŽČąÂ‹ÂŽÂŒÂŠÂžÂœÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ›Ç°Č„ČąÂ™Â˜Â’Â—Â?ÂœČą out Jo. —ȹ Â–ÂŽÂ›Â’ÂŒÂŠÂ—Čą ‹¢ȹ ‹’›Â?‘ǰȹ Š—Â?Čą –’Â? Â’Â?ÂŽČą ‹¢ȹ ™›˜Â?ÂŽÂœÂœÂ’Â˜Â—Ç°Čą Â˜Čą Â‘ÂŠÂœČą •’Â&#x;ÂŽÂ?Čą ’—ȹ —Â?’Šȹ Â?Â˜Â›Čą —ŽŠ›•¢ȹ ŚŖȹ ¢ÂŽÂŠÂ›ÂœČą  Â’Â?‘ȹ ‘Ž›ȹ —Â?’Š—ȹ ÂœÂ™Â˜ÂžÂœÂŽÇŻČą She is also the co-founder and director of the Latika Roy ˜ž—Â?ŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—Ç°ČąÂŠČąÂ&#x;˜•ž—Â?Š›¢ȹ˜›Â?Š—’œŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂœÂ™ÂŽÂŒÂ’ÂŠÂ•Â•¢ȏŠ‹•ŽÂ?ȹ’—ȹ Ž‘›ŠÂ?ž—ǰȹ ĴŠ›Š”‘Š—Â?ǰȹ Â‘Â’ÂŒÂ‘ČąÂ™Â›Â˜Â&#x;Â’Â?ÂŽÂœČąÂœÂ™ÂŽÂŒÂ’ÂŠÂ•Â’ÂœÂŽÂ?ČąÂœÂŽÂ›Â&#x;Â’ÂŒÂŽÂœČą Š—Â?Čą œž™™˜›Â?Čą Â?Â˜Čą Â?ÂŠÂ–Â’Â•Â’ÂŽÂœČą Š—Â?Čą Œ‘’•Â?›Ž—ȹ  Â’Â?‘ȹ Â?’œŠ‹’•’Â?Â’ÂŽÂœÇŻČą Â‘Â’ÂœČą ˜›Â?Š—’œŠÂ?’˜—ȹ ÂŠÂœČąÂœÂ?Š›Â?ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜Â›Čą ˜¢ȹ ˜¢ǰȹ Â‘Â˜ČąÂ‘ÂŠÂœČąÂŒÂŽÂ›ÂŽÂ‹Â›ÂŠÂ•ČąÂ™ÂŠÂ•Âœ¢ȹ Š—Â?ȹšžŠÂ?›’™•ŽÂ?’Šǯ

A teacher and therapist with a child

˜ ȹÂ?Â’Â?ȹ’Â?ȹŠ••ȹ‹ŽÂ?’—Ǿȹ Â˜ČąÂ–ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ‘ÂžÂœÂ‹ÂŠÂ—Â?Čą ŠÂ&#x;Â’Čą ‘˜™›Šȹ Â‘Ž—ȹ ‹˜Â?‘ȹ  ÂŽÂ›ÂŽČą ŠŒÂ?Â’Â&#x;Â’ÂœÂ?ÂœČą ˜Â?Čą Â™ÂŽÂŠÂŒÂŽČą Š—Â?Čą ÂœÂ˜ÂŒÂ’ÂŠÂ•Čą “žœÂ?Â’ÂŒÂŽČą ’—ȹ Â?‘Žȹ Čą ’—ȹ 1976. She moved to India after her marriage to Ravi and they went on to have two children, Anand and Cathleen. Then, œ˜–ŽÂ?‘’—Â?ȹ‘Š™™Ž—ŽÂ?ČąÂ?‘ŠÂ?ČąÂ?›Š—œÂ?˜›–ŽÂ?ČąÂ?‘Ž’›ȹ•’Â&#x;ÂŽÂœČąÂ?˜›ŽÂ&#x;Ž›ǯȹ

ÂœÂ‘ÂŽČąÂ‘ÂŠÂ?ȹ–’•Â?ČąÂŒÂŽÂ›ÂŽÂ‹Â›ÂŠÂ•ČąÂ™ÂŠÂ•Âœ¢ǯȹ Â‘ÂŽČąÂŒÂ˜ÂžÂ•Â?ȹŽŠÂ?Ç°ČąÂœÂ™ÂŽÂŠÂ”Čą ’—Â?’ȹŠ—Â?Čą —Â?Â•Â’ÂœÂ‘ČąÂŽÄ›Â˜Â›Â?•Žœœ•¢ȹŠ—Â?ČąÂ?Ž—Ž›Š••¢ȹ ÂŠÂœČąČƒÂŠČąÂ?Ž•’Â?‘Â?Â?ž•ȹÂ?’›•ȹÂ?ÂžÂ•Â•ČąÂ˜Â?Čą tricksâ€?, according to her mother. Everyone assumed her life would be a normal one.

So, it was a big blow to the family when Moy Moy started to regress from the age of six. She began to get convulsions, and would forget things. Eating became a daunting task and she had no control over her bladder or bowel movements. By 10, ÂœÂ‘ÂŽČąÂŒÂ˜ÂžÂ•Â?ČąÂ—Â˜ČąÂ•Â˜Â—Â?ÂŽÂ›ČąÂœÂ™ÂŽÂŠÂ”Ç°ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ȹ‹¢ȹĹ—ĹœÇ°ČąÂœÂ‘ÂŽČąÂ‘ÂŠÂ?ȹšžŠÂ?›’™•ŽÂ?’Šǯȹ She needed a wheelchair to get around and ate through a feeding tube surgically She wasn’t meant to be inserted in her stomach. Now 28 years, she is severely disabled. conceived, but she was.

Â˜ČąÂ‘ÂŠÂ?ȹŠ• ÂŠ¢Âœȹ ÂŠÂ—Â?ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂŠÂ?˜™Â?ČąÂŠČąÂŒÂ‘Â’Â•Â?ÇŻČą ‘ŽȹÂ?’ŒŽȹ ÂŠÂœČąÂ•Â˜ÂŠÂ?ÂŽÂ?Čą ŠÂ?Š’—œÂ?ČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ›ČąÂœÂ’Â—ÂŒÂŽČąÂœÂ‘ÂŽČąÂ‘ÂŠÂ?ČąÂ? Â˜ČąÂŒÂ‘’•Â?Â›ÂŽÂ—ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ˜ Â—ÇŻČą Â?˜™Â?Â’Â˜Â—Čą agencies in India, at that time, were unwilling to allow a Œ˜ž™•Žȹ Â’Â?Â‘ČąÂŠČąÂ‹Â˜¢ȹŠ—Â?ȹŠȹÂ?’›•ǰȹÂ?Â˜ČąÂŠÂ?˜™Â?ȹŠȹÂ?‘’›Â?ČąÂŒÂ‘Â’Â•Â?ÇŻČą In 1989, Jo heard of a baby girl, who had Â‹ÂŽÂŽÂ—ČąÂ‹Â˜Â›Â—ČąĹ—Ĺ˜ȹ ÂŽÂŽÂ”ÂœČąÂ™Â›ÂŽÂ–ÂŠÂ?ž›ŽȹŠ—Â?ȹ ÂŽÂ’Â?‘ŽÂ?Čą just a kilo. Born as the 13th child to the wife ˜Â?ȹŠȹÂ?Š›–Ž›ȹ’—ȹ ĴŠ›ȹ ›ŠÂ?ÂŽÂœÂ‘Ç°ČąÂ?‘Žȹ‹Š‹¢ȹ‘ŠÂ?Čą ‹ŽŽ—ȹ Œ˜—ŒŽ’Â&#x;ÂŽÂ?Čą Â?Žœ™’Â?ÂŽČą ÂœÂ?Ž›’•’œŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ÇŻČą ‘Žȹ –˜Â?‘Ž›ȹ‘ŠÂ?ȹ–ŠÂ?Žȹž™ȹ‘Ž›ȹ–’—Â?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂŠÂ‹Â˜Â›Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ child, but her doctor had advised her to ‘ŠÂ&#x;ÂŽČąÂ?‘Žȹ‹Š‹¢ȹŠ—Â?ČąÂ?Â’Â&#x;Žȹ’Â?ȹž™ȹÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂŠÂ?˜™Â?Â’Â˜Â—ÇŻČą

She wasn’t meant to be born, but she was. She wasn’t meant to survive, but she did. She wasn’t meant to be our daughter, but she is most certainly our daughter

A few months later, on the way to a routine ™›Ž—ŠÂ?Š•ȹ Š™™˜’—Â?–Ž—Â?Ç°Čą Â?‘Žȹ –˜Â?‘Ž›ȹ  ÂŽÂ—Â?Čą into labour on the bus and her baby was born on the roadside. She was taken to Šȹ ‘˜œ™’Â?Š•ȹ  Â‘Ž›Žȹ Šȹ ÂŒÂ˜ÂžÂ™Â•ÂŽČą ˜Â?Čą Â–ÂŽÂ›Â’ÂŒÂŠÂ—Čą doctors were working as volunteers. As Â?‘Žȹ –˜Â?‘Ž›ȹ Â?Â’Â?Čą —˜Â?Čą  ÂŠÂ—Â?Čą Â?‘Žȹ ‹Š‹¢ǰȹ Â?‘Žȹ •’Ĵ•Žȹ Â˜Â—ÂŽČ‚ÂœČą Â?ŠÂ?ÂŽČą ‘ž—Â?Čą Â’Â—ČąÂ‹ÂŠÂ•ÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽČąÂžÂ—Â?Â’Â•ČąÂ˜Â—ÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?‘ŽȹÂ&#x;˜•ž—Â?ÂŽÂŽÂ›ÂœČąÂ™Â’Â™ÂŽÂ?ȹž™ȹŠ—Â?ČąÂœÂŠÂ’Â?ȹ‘Ž›ȹ œ’œÂ?Ž›ȹ Â˜ÂžÂ•Â?ȹŠÂ?˜™Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ‹Š‹¢ǯȹ Â‘ÂŽČąÂœÂ’ÂœÂ?Ž›ȹ‘Š™™Ž—ŽÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ‹ÂŽČą Â˜ÇŻ

Â˜Â›ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÄ™Â›ÂœÂ?ČąÂ?ÂŽ ȹ¢ÂŽÂŠÂ›ÂœČąÂ˜Â?ȹ‘Ž›ȹ•’Â?ÂŽÇ°Čą –Šȹ ˜¢ȹ ˜¢ȹǝ ˜¢ȹ ˜¢ȹ Â–ÂŽÂŠÂ—ÂœČą Č Â•Â’Ä´Â•ÂŽČą œ’œÂ?Ž›Ȃȹ ’—ȹ Š—Â?˜—ŽœŽǟȹ œŽŽ–ŽÂ?Čą Â—Â˜Â›Â–ÂŠÂ•Čą Â?‘˜žÂ?‘ȹ

Â˜ČąÂœÂŠ¢ÂœČąÂœÂ‘ÂŽȹ ÂŠÂœČąÂ‘Â’Â?ȹ™Š›Â?’Œž•Š›•¢ȹ‘Š›Â?ȹ Â‘Ž—ȹ ˜¢ȹ ˜¢ȹ ÂœÂ?˜™™ŽÂ?Čą Â?Š•”’—Â?ÇŻČą Čƒ ‘Žȹ žœŽÂ?Čą Â?Â˜Čą Â?ÂŽÂ•Â•ČąÂ“Â˜Â”ÂŽÂœDzȹÂœÂ‘ÂŽČąÂŽÂ&#x;Ž—ȹ‘ŠÂ?ȯŠÂ?ČąÂ?˜ž›ȹ¢ÂŽÂŠÂ›ÂœČŻÂŠČą ̊’›ȹÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂ?‘ŽȹÂ?›Š–ŠÂ?Â’ÂŒÇŻČą Â—ÂŒÂŽČąÂ˜Â—ČąÂŠČą ž—Â?Š¢ǰȹ I asked her: ‘Moy Moy, are you ready to Â?Â˜ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂŒÂ‘ÂžÂ›ÂŒÂ‘ÇľČ‚Čą Â‘ÂŽČąÂ›ÂŠÂ’ÂœÂŽÂ?ČąÂ‹Â˜Â?Â‘ČąÂŠÂ›Â–ÂœČąÂ˜Â&#x;Ž›ȹ her head like a born-again zealot and œŠ’Â?ČąÂ?Ž›Â&#x;Ž—Â?Â•Â˘ÇąČąČ ÂŠÂ•Â•Â˜ ÂŽÂ?ȹ‹Žȹ ‘¢ȹ Š–ŽǡČ‚Ç°Č„Čą she narrates.

ŠŒŽÂ?Čą  Â’Â?‘ȹ Â?Â‘Â’ÂœČą ÂŒÂ›Â’ÂœÂ’ÂœÇ°Čą Â˜ČŻÂ˜Â—ÂŽČą ˜Â?Čą œŽÂ&#x;Ž—ȹ Œ‘’•Â?›Ž—ȹ ‘Ž›œŽ•Â?ČŻÂœÂ‘Â˜ ÂŽÂ?Čą ™•Ž—Â?¢ȹ ˜Â?Čą Â?Â˜Â›ČŹ Â‹ÂŽÂŠÂ›ÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽÇŻČą —ȹ Â?ŠŒÂ?Ç°Čą ‘Ž›ȹ –˜Â?‘Ž›ȹ ‘ŠÂ?Čą ŠÂ?˜™Â?ÂŽÂ?Čą Â˜Â—ÂŽČą ˜Â?Čą Â?Â‘Â˜ÂœÂŽČą œŽÂ&#x;Ž—ǰȹ Šȹ Â?’›•ȹ  Â‘Â˜Čą  ÂŠÂœČą —Š–ŽÂ?Čą ˜¢ȹ ˜¢ǯȹ —ȹ Â?ŠŒÂ?Ç°Čą Â˜Č‚ÂœČą ˜¢ȹ Moy is named after her aunt. There were no good schools in Ž‘›ŠÂ?ž—ȹŠÂ?ČąÂ?‘ŠÂ?ČąÂ?’–ŽȹÂ?Â˜ČąÂŽÂ?žŒŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂŒÂ‘Â’Â•Â?›Ž—ȹ Â’Â?Â‘ČąÂœÂ™ÂŽÂŒÂ’ÂŠÂ•ČąÂ—ÂŽÂŽÂ?ÂœÇŻČą —Â?Ç°Čą Â˜ČąÂ?ŽŒ’Â?ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂœÂŽÂ?ČąÂžÂ™ČąÂŠČąÂœÂŒÂ‘Â˜Â˜Â•ČąÂ‘erself.

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Aid came in the form of a ` 2 lakh grant from the husband of the late Latika Roy, a Montessori teacher, who had been trained by the famous Maria Montessori herself. The Roys had ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȃ ȱ ǯȱ Ȃ ȱ ȱ ȱ ŗşşŚȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱǻ Ǽȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ŗşşśǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ Ȭ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ vocational training. Currently, there are 300 children on the rolls at Karuna Vihar, ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¡ ȱ ¢ ǰȱ ǰȱ ǰȱ ǰȱ Ĵ ¢ǰȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ The Foundation also does research on Acts and laws relating ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǯȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱȃ ȱ ȱ ȱ for Moy Moy” has now evolved into a network of centres ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ěȱ ǯȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ǰȱ Ĵ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ work with them.

Jo and Moy Moy with the family worthiness diminished with age and to buy a new one was an ¡ ȱ ǯȱ

ȱ ȱ ¢ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ĵ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢Ȭ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ¢ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ĵ ȱ ȱ the same lady informing her that she had bought a stroller, but it was too large to I believe that Moy Moy ȱ ȱ ȱ Ě ǯȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ holds the secret to the ȱ ǵȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ world’s salvation someone like her son was using it.

ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ę ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ¢ȱ ¢ǰȱ ȱ ¢ ǰȱ ¢ ȱ Ě ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ the old days and laughing about how ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ Ĵ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱȃ ȱ ȱ doing a lot of Seamus Heaney and Mary Oliver these days… and their thoughtful, incisive ways of looking at things now ȱ ¢ȱ ¢ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢Ȅǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȃ ȱ ǯ

ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ stroller. She says she walks seven miles on an average every day. The stroller was a gift from her sister in America and it ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȃȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ǰȱ ȱ Ȃ ȱ Ȭ

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A young girl at Karuna Vihar Centre for Vocational Training

ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȃ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ¢ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ £ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ¢Ȃ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ending the conversation, the woman told her: “We wish you Ȃ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ Ĵ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȃ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ Ȅǯȱ “Moy Moy has enlarged my world in many ways. Her ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ £ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ for her well-being and who want her to be well”, writes Jo in ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǯ

Ȃ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ¢ȱ ¢Ȃ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ day of the year for her. As her daughter rounds yet another ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ¢ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱȃ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¡ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ dzȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȃ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ¢ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱǻ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ǽȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ our shared humanity: we are all vulnerable, we all need each other”. Now, that is as true as it gets.

of Maharashtra

HERITAGE

Kolhapur, the Hidden Gem Kolhapur, situated on the banks of the river Panchganga, is renowned for its temples—the Mahalaxmi Temple—and for being an important commercial and trade centre and for its iconic Kolhapuri chappal. However, the city is also dotted with many little-known sites richly imbued with a lot of history. Few know that Kolhapur dates back to the 10th century, and had a progressive Maharaja, who ruled from 1894 to 1922, and boasts of many notable historic structures like the New Palace of Kolhapur, Bhavani Mantap, a wrestling stadium and a very old cinema theatre. Drawn by the stories he had read about the city, Anil Mulchandani visits the place and comes away awed by the splendid history and the architecture and wishes that more can be done to attract tourists to this treasure trove Photographs by Dinesh Shukla

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K

Â˜Â•Â‘ÂŠÂ™ÂžÂ›ČąÂ‘ÂŠÂœČąÂŠČąÂ?ŠœŒ’—ŠÂ?’—Â?Čą history. It was one of the •Š›Â?ÂŽÂœÂ?ȹŠ—Â?ČąÂ–Â˜ÂœÂ?ȹŠÄ?žŽ—Â?Čą ™›’—ŒŽ•¢ȹÂœÂ?ŠÂ?ÂŽÂœČąÂ’Â—ȹ ÂŽÂœÂ?Ž›—ȹ —Â?’Šǯȹ —Â?Ç°Čą Â’Â?ȹ ÂŠÂœČąÂ˜Â—ÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ–Â˜ÂœÂ?ČąÂ™Â›Â˜Â?›Žœœ’Â&#x;ÂŽČą ÂœÂ?ŠÂ?ÂŽÂœČąÂžÂ—Â?Ž›ȹÂ?‘Žȹ›Ž’Â?Â—ČąÂ˜Â?Čą ‘‘ŠÂ?›Š™ŠÂ?Â’Čą Shahu Maharaj from 1894 till his death ’—ȹŗĹ&#x;Ĺ˜Ĺ˜ÇŻČą ‘Žȹ”’—Â?ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ Â˜Â•Â‘ÂŠÂ™ÂžÂ›Čą ”’—Â?Â?Â˜Â–Ç°Čą ‘‘ŠÂ?›Š™ŠÂ?Â’Čą ‘Š‘žȹ Š‘Š›Š“ǰȹ introduced wide-ranging social reforms, built the industrial base of the Œ’Â?¢ǰȹŠ—Â?ȹ™ŠÂ?›˜—’œŽÂ?ȹŠ›Â?ȹŠ—Â?ČąÂŒÂžÂ•Â?ž›Žǯȹ Having read much about the heritage ˜Â?Čą Â˜Â•Â‘ÂŠÂ™ÂžÂ›Ç°Čą ȹ ÂŠÂœČąÂœÂžÂ›Â™Â›Â’œŽÂ?ČąÂ?‘ŠÂ?Čą not many know about the city being an invaluable gem in the history of Š‘Š›Šœ‘Â?›Šǯȹ ˜Â?ȹ–Š—¢ȹÂŽÂĄÂ™Â•Â˜Â›ÂŽČąÂ?‘Žȹ ‘’œÂ?Â˜Â›Â’ÂŒÂŠÂ•ČąÂœÂ’Â?ÂŽÂœČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?Â‘Â’ÂœČąÂŒÂ’Â?¢ȹÂŽÂĄÂŒÂŽÂ™Â?ČąÂ?Â˜Â›Čą Â?‘Žȹ ‘Š”Â?Â’ČąÂ?ÂŽÂ&#x;˜Â?ÂŽÂŽÂœǰȹ Â‘Â˜ČąÄšÂ˜ÂŒÂ”ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ?‘Žȹ Â?ÂŠÂ–Â˜ÂžÂœČą Š‘Š•Š¥–’ȹ Ž–™•Žȹ ’—ȹ Â˜Â•Â‘ÂŠÂ™ÂžÂ›ÇŻČą

The Mahalaxmi temple is truly the sacred center of Kolhapur attracting religious tourists in large numbers. The temple is said to date back to the 7th century

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All this made me want to visit this Œ’Â?¢ǯȹ ž›Â?‘Ž›ǰȹ ȹ›ŽŠÂ?ČąÂ?‘ŠÂ?Čą Â˜Â•Â‘ÂŠÂ™ÂžÂ›Čą was known even back in the 10th century under the Yadava dynasty, and most of the heritage buildings of the city date back to the time of the Bhonsle dynasty, who ruled from 1710 to 1949. Interestingly, Rajaram 11, who ruled from 1866 to 1870 AD, ‹ŽÂ?Š—ȹÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ–Â˜Â?Ž›—’œŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂ˜Â?Čą Â˜Â•Â‘ÂŠÂ™ÂžÂ›Čą but died when he was just 20 in Florence, Italy. And, he was cremated on the banks of the River Arno, after ÂœÂ™ÂŽÂŒÂ’ÂŠÂ•ČąÂ™ÂŽÂ›Â–Â’ÂœÂœÂ’Â˜Â—ȹ ÂŠÂœČąÂ?›Š—Â?ÂŽÂ?ȹ‹¢ȹ the Italian Council of Ministers. He  ÂŠÂœČąÂœÂžÂŒÂŒÂŽÂŽÂ?ÂŽÂ?ȹ‹›’ŽĚ¢ȹ‹¢ȹ ‘’Â&#x;Š“’ȹ Ç°Čą Š—Â?ČąÂ?‘Ž—ȹ’Â?ȹ ÂŠÂœČą ‘‘ŠÂ?›Š™ŠÂ?Â’Čą ‘Š‘žȹ Š‘Š›Š“ǰȹŠȹ™‘’•Š—Â?‘›˜™’œÂ?ȹŠ—Â?ȹŠȹ ›ŽÂ?˜›–Ž›ǰȹ Â‘Â˜ČąÂ?Â˜Â˜Â”ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ™Â›Â’Â—ÂŒÂŽÂ•¢ȹ state to its zenith. ‘Š‘žȹ ÂŠÂœČąÂ’—ĚžŽ—ŒŽÂ?ȹ‹¢ȹ ¢Â˜Â?’‹Šȹ Phule, the social reformer, who fought for the eradication of untouchability Š—Â?ČąÂŒÂ‘ÂŠÂ–Â™Â’Â˜Â—ÂŽÂ?ȹ Â˜Â–ÂŽÂ—Č‚ÂœČą Ž–Š—Œ’™ŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂŠnd girl child education

’—ȹ —Â?’Šǯȹ Â?ȹ¢Â˜ÂžČąÂ&#x;’œ’Â?Čą ˜•‘Š™ž›ǰȹ¢Â˜ÂžČą šž’Œ”•¢ȹÂ•ÂŽÂŠÂ›Â—ČąÂŠÂ‹Â˜ÂžÂ?Čą ‘Š‘žȹ ÂŠÂ‘ÂŠÂ›ÂŠÂ“Č‚ÂœČą ™’˜—ŽŽ›’—Â?ȹ’—’Â?’ŠÂ?Â’Â&#x;ÂŽÂœČąÂ’Â—ČąÂŒÂ˜Â—ÂœÂ?›žŒÂ?’—Â?Čą Â?’쎛Ž—Â?ȹŽÂ?žŒŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ÂŠÂ•ČąÂ’Â—ÂœÂ?Â’Â?žÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ÂœÇ°Čą which included a boarding school for socially challenged students and Vedic ÂœÂŒÂ‘Â˜Â˜Â•ÂœÇŻČą ÂŠÂŒÂ”ČąÂ?‘Ž—ǰȹ‘Žȹ–ŠÂ?Žȹ™›’–Š›¢ȹ ÂŽÂ?žŒŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂ?›ŽŽȹŠ—Â?ČąÂŒÂ˜Â–Â™ÂžÂ•ÂœÂ˜Â›¢ȹÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂŠÂ•Â•Čą in his state and started schools to train village administrators. ™™˜œŽÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂŒÂŠÂœÂ?ÂŽČąÂœ¢ÂœÂ?Ž–ǰȹ‘Žȹ ›Ž–˜Â&#x;ÂŽÂ?Čą Â›ÂŠÂ‘Â–Â’Â—ÂœČąÂ?Â›Â˜Â–ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽÂ’Â›ČąÂ™Â˜ÂœÂ?ÂœČą of Royal Religious advisors, when Â?‘Ž¢ȹ›ŽÂ?žœŽÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ™ÂŽÂ›Â?Â˜Â›Â–ČąÂ›ÂŽÂ•Â’Â?Â’Â˜ÂžÂœČą rites for non-Brahmins. He ensured the untouchables equal access to Â™ÂžÂ‹Â•Â’ÂŒČąÂžÂ?’•’Â?Â’ÂŽÂœÇ°ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂ?’œŒ˜—Â?’—žŽÂ?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ hereditary transfer of titles and tenures ˜Â?ȹ›ŽÂ&#x;ÂŽÂ—ÂžÂŽČąÂŒÂ˜Â•Â•ÂŽÂŒÂ?˜›œǰȹ Â‘Â˜ČąÂŽÂĄÂ™Â•Â˜Â’Â?ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ˜Â›Čą Ž—œ•ŠÂ&#x;ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ™ÂŽÂ˜Â™Â•ÂŽÇŻČą He also initiated the economic ™›˜Â?Â›ÂŽÂœÂœČąÂ˜Â?Čą Â˜Â•Â‘ÂŠÂ™ÂžÂ›ČąÂ‹¢ȹ‹ž’•Â?’—Â?Čą Â?‘Žȹ ‘Š‘žȹ ‘‘ŠÂ?›Š™ŠÂ?Â’Čą ™’——’—Â?ȹŠ—Â?Čą Weaving Mill in 1906, established ‹Š—”’—Â?ČąÂ?ŠŒ’•’Â?Â’ÂŽÂœČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂŒÂ˜ČŹÂ˜Â™ÂŽÂ›ÂŠÂ?Â’Â&#x;ÂŽČą societies for farmers, and laid the foundations of the Radhanagari Dam. The Marathi Film Industry also ̘ž›’œ‘ŽÂ?ȹ’—ȹ Â˜Â•Â‘ÂŠÂ™ÂžÂ›ČąÂ?Â›Â˜Â–ČąĹ—Ĺ&#x;Ĺ—Ĺ?ÇŻČą It was because of his grand vision, and his numerous initiatives in social reform, he was given the title of Rajarshi Shahu. Â’Â—ÂŽÂœÂ‘ČąÂŠÂ—Â?Čą ȹŠ››’Â&#x;ÂŽÂ?ȹ’—ȹ Â˜Â•Â‘ÂŠÂ™ÂžÂ›ČąÂ’Â—Čą Â?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ–Â˜Â›Â—Â’Â—Â?ȹ Â’Â?‘ȹŠȹÂ&#x;Â’ÂŽ ȹÂ?Â˜ČąÂŽÂĄÂ™Â•Â˜Â›ÂŽČąÂ?‘Žȹ city. In the old town quarter, we came ÂŠÂŒÂ›Â˜ÂœÂœČą ž—Šȹ Š“ ÂŠÂ?ŠǰȹÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ˜Â•Â?ČąÂ™ÂŠÂ•ÂŠÂŒÂŽČąÂ˜Â?Čą Â?‘Žȹ Â˜Â•Â‘ÂŠÂ™ÂžÂ›ČąÂ›ÂžÂ•ÂŽÂ›ÂœČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ ‘ŠÂ&#x;Š—’ȹ Š—Â?Š™DzȹÂ?‘Žȹ Š‘Š•Š¥–’ȹÂ?Ž–™•ŽȹŠ—Â?Čą

structures related to the former rulers like Faras Khana and Hujur Paga. The relatively new side of the city ̊ž—Â?ÂœČąÂœÂ?›žŒÂ?ÂžÂ›ÂŽÂœČąÂ‹ÂžÂ’Â•Â?ȹ’—ȹÂ?‘Žȹ•ŠÂ?ÂŽČŹ 19th and early-20th century like the New Palace, the Khasbag Maidan, Keshavrao Bhosale Natyagruha, Rankala Lake, Shalini Palace, Town

Š••ǰȹ Ž–‹•Š’ȹÂ?Ž–™•ŽǰȹŠ—Â?ČąÂ’Â—ÂœÂ?Â’Â?žÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ÂœČą like the Shivaji University and ˜•Â?ČąÂ‘Â˜ÂœÂ™Â’Â?ÂŠÂ•ÂœÇŻČą Major Charles Mant was a British architect commissioned in the 19th ŒŽ—Â?ž›¢ȹÂ?Â˜ČąÂŒÂ˜Â—ÂœÂ?›žŒÂ?Čą Â˜Â•Â‘ÂŠÂ™ÂžÂ›Č‚ÂœČą buildings. He favoured the IndoSaracenic Revival (also known as Indo ˜Â?‘’ŒǟȹÂœÂ?¢Â•ÂŽǰȹ Â‘Â’ÂŒÂ‘ČąÂ’Â—Â&#x;˜•Â&#x;ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ?žœ’—Â?Čą stylistic and decorative elements from native Indo-Islamic architecture Š—Â?Čą ’—Â?žȹÂ?ÂŽÂ–Â™Â•ÂŽČąÂŠÂ›ÂŒÂ‘Â’Â?ÂŽÂŒÂ?ž›Žȹ maintaining the layout and structure of the Gothic revival and Neo-Classical buildings. The buildings are therefore Â?˜–’—Š—Â?•¢ȹ ÂžÂ›Â˜Â™ÂŽÂŠÂ—ČąÂ’Â—ČąÂœÂ?¢Â•ÂŽČąÂ‹ÂžÂ?ČąÂ›Â’ÂŒÂ‘Čą in Indian features and decoration. Â‘ÂŽČąÄ™Â—ÂŽÂœÂ?ČąÂŽÂĄÂŠÂ–Â™Â•ÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?Â‘Â’ÂœČąÂŽÂŒÂ•ÂŽÂŒÂ?Â’ÂŒČąÂœÂ?¢Â•ÂŽČą Â’ÂœČąÂ?‘Žȹ ÂŽ ȹ ÂŠÂ•ÂŠÂŒÂŽČąÂ˜Â?Čą ˜•‘Š™ž›ǰȹ Â‘Â’ÂŒÂ‘Čą was constructed between 1877 and ŗŞŞŚǯȹ ȹ™Š›Â?ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?Â‘Â’ÂœČąÂ™ÂŠÂ•ÂŠÂŒÂŽČąÂ‘Â˜ÂžÂœÂŽÂœČąÂ?‘Žȹ ‘Š‘Š“’ȹ ‘‘ŠÂ?›Š™ŠÂ?Â’Čą ÂžÂœÂŽÂžÂ–Ç°ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ ›ŽœÂ?ČąÂ’ÂœČąÂŠČąÂ™Â›Â’Â&#x;ŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ›ÂŽÂœÂ’Â?ÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂŽÇŻČą Â‘ÂŽČąÂ™ÂŠÂ•ÂŠÂŒÂŽČą Â’ÂœČąÂœÂŽÂ?ČąÂ’Â—ČąÂŠČąÂ™ÂŠÂ›Â”ČŹÂ•Â’Â”ÂŽČąÂœÂžÂ›Â›Â˜ÂžÂ—Â?’—Â?ÂœČąÂŠÂ—Â?Čą ÂŒÂŠÂ—ČąÂ‹ÂŽČąÂŠÂŒÂŒÂŽÂœÂœÂŽÂ?ČąÂ?‘›˜žÂ?Â‘ČąÂŠČąÂ™ÂžÂ‹Â•Â’ÂŒČąÂ™ÂŠÂ›Â”Ç°Čą which has a lake and small zoo. The Â?˜›ŽŒ˜ž›Â?ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ’Â–Â™Â›ÂŽÂœÂœÂ’Â&#x;ÂŽČąÂ™ÂŠÂ•ÂŠÂŒÂŽČąÂ’ÂœČą ‹ž’•Â?ČąÂ?Â›Â˜Â–ČąÂ™Â˜Â•Â’ÂœÂ‘ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ‹Â•ÂŠÂŒÂ”ČąÂœÂ?Â˜Â—ÂŽÇŻČą ‘Žȹ building is dominated by huge domes, turrets and a Victorian-style clock tower.

The New Palace of Kolhapur, built in the 1880s and ‘90s, is dominantly Victorian in style with Indo-Islamic architecture

Mata shr’—Žǯȹ ȹ‘žÂ?ÂŽČąÂ™Â˜Â›Â?’Œ˜ȹ Â’Â?‘ȹ carved arches marks the entrance, and a short distance away is the Š‘Š•Š¥–’ȹ Ž–™•Žǯȹ ‘Žȹ Š‘Š•Š¥–’ȹÂ?ÂŽÂ–Â™Â•ÂŽČąÂ’ÂœČąÂ?›ž•¢ȹÂ?‘Žȹ œŠŒ›ŽÂ?ČąÂŒÂŽÂ—Â?ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ˜Â?Čą Â˜Â•Â‘ÂŠÂ™ÂžÂ›ČąÂŠÄ´Â›ÂŠÂŒÂ?’—Â?Čą religious tourists in large numbers. ‘ŽȹÂ?ÂŽÂ–Â™Â•ÂŽČąÂ’ÂœČąÂœÂŠÂ’Â?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ?ŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ‹ÂŠÂŒÂ”ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ?‘Žȹ 7th century and has been rebuilt after an earthquake in the 8th century.

˜ ÂŽÂ&#x;ÂŽÂ›Ç°ČąÂ–Â˜ÂœÂ?ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ™Â›ÂŽÂœÂŽÂ—Â?ČąÂœÂ?›žŒÂ?ž›Žȹ was built in the 18th century. The ÂŒÂ›ÂŽÂŠÂ–ČŹÂŒÂ˜Â•Â˜ÂžÂ›ÂŽÂ?ČąÂœÂ™Â’Â›ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ?˜ ÂŽÂ›ÂœČąÂ˜Â&#x;Ž›ȹÂ?‘Žȹ sanctuary are its most admired feature. The architectural style and layout is ÂœÂ’Â–Â’Â•ÂŠÂ›ČąÂ?Â˜Čą ‘Š•ž”¢ÂŠÂ—ČąÂ?Ž–™•Žœǰȹ Â’Â?‘ȹŠȹ Â™Â˜Â›ÂŒÂ‘ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂŠÂ—ČąÂŠÂœÂœÂŽÂ–Â‹Â•¢ȹ‘Š••ȹ•ŽŠÂ?’—Â?ČąÂ?Â˜Čą the sanctum sanctorum. ›˜ž—Â?ČąÂ?‘ŽȹÂ?ÂŽÂ–Â™Â•ÂŽČąÂ’ÂœČąÂŠČąÂ‹ÂžÂœÂ?•’—Â?Čą –Š›”ŽÂ?ČąÂœÂŽÂ•Â•Â’Â—Â?Čą Â˜Â•Â‘ÂŠÂ™ÂžÂ›Č‚ÂœČąÂ?ÂŠÂ–Â˜ÂžÂœČą jewellery, textiles and footwear like Â?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ’ÂŒÂ˜Â—Â’ÂŒČą Â˜Â•Â‘ÂŠÂ™ÂžÂ›Â’ČąÂŒÂ‘ÂŠÂ™Â™ÂŠÂ•ÂœÇŻČą

Top: The impressive portico of the old palace, called Rajwada and Bhavani Mandap Below: Another view of the New Palace of Kolhapur Â‘ÂŽČąÂ™ÂŠÂ•ÂŠÂŒÂŽČąÂ–ÂžÂœÂŽÂžÂ–ČąÂ˜Ä›ÂŽÂ›ÂœČąÂŠÂ—ČąÂ’Â—ÂœÂ’Â?‘Â?Čą ’—Â?Â˜ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÄšÂŠÂ–Â‹Â˜¢ÂŠÂ—Â?ȹ•’Â?ÂŽÂœÂ?¢Â•ÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ Â™Â›Â’Â—ÂŒÂŽÂœÇŻČą ‘ŽȹŽ¥‘’‹’Â?ÂœČąÂ’Â—ÂŒÂ•ÂžÂ?ÂŽČąÂœÂ’Â•Â&#x;Ž›ȹ Ž•Ž™‘Š—Â?ČąÂ‘Â˜ Â?ÂŠÂ‘ÂœÇ°ČąÂœÂ˜Â–ÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?‘Ž–ȹ œ‘Š™ŽÂ?ČąÂ•Â’Â”ÂŽČąÂ™ÂŽÂŠÂŒÂ˜ÂŒÂ”ÂœÇ°ČąÂ˜Â›Â—ÂŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂœ Â’—Â?ÂœÇ°Čą Š—Â?’šžŽȹÂ?ž›—’Â?ž›Žǰȹ™Š’—Â?’—Â?ÂœÇ°ČąÂŠČąÂ‘ÂžÂ?ÂŽČą Š›–˜ž›¢ȹ˜Â?ČąÂœ Â˜Â›Â?ÂœČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂ?˜•Â?ȏ™•ŠÂ?ÂŽÂ?Čą  ÂŽÂŠÂ™Â˜Â—ÂœÇ°ČąÂ›Â˜Â‹ÂŽÂœÇ°ČąÂŒÂ›ÂŽÂœÂ?ÂœÇ°ČąÂ“ÂŽ ÂŽÂ•Â•ÂŽÂ›¢ȹ Š—Â?ČąÂœÂ?žěŽÂ?ČąÂŠÂ—Â’Â–ÂŠÂ•ÂœÇŻČą ‘Ž¢ȹÂŠÂ•ÂœÂ˜ČąÂ‘ÂŠÂ&#x;ÂŽČą  ÂŠÂ•Â”’—Â?ČąÂœÂ?Â’ÂŒÂ”ÂœČąÂ–ÂŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ?Â›Â˜Â–ČąÂ•ÂŽÂ˜Â™ÂŠÂ›Â?Čą and tiger vertebrae, ashtrays fashioned out of tiger skulls and rhino Â?ÂŽÂŽÂ?ÇŻČą ‘˜Â?˜Â?Â›ÂŠÂ™Â‘ÂœČąÂ?Ž™’ŒÂ?ČąÂŠČąÂŒÂ‘ÂŽÂŽÂ?Š‘ȹ being trained to hunt down ÂŠČąÂ‹Â•ÂŠÂŒÂ”Â‹ÂžÂŒÂ”ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ÂŽÂ•Â˜Â™ÂŽÇŻČą Â—ÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?‘ŽȹÂ?’œ™•Š¢ÂœČąÂœÂ‘˜ ÂœČąÂŠÂ—ȹŽ•Ž™‘Š—Â?Čą ›ŽŠÂ?Â’ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂŠČąÂŒÂŽÂ›ÂŽÂ–Â˜Â—Â’ÂŠÂ•ČąÂ™Â›Â˜ÂŒÂŽÂœÂœÂ’Â˜Â—Čą with decorated tusks and elaborate œŠÂ?Â?Â•ÂŽÂœÇŻČą Â‘ÂŽČąÂŒÂŽÂ—Â?Â›ÂŽÂ™Â’ÂŽÂŒÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ Â™ÂŠÂ•ÂŠÂŒÂŽČąÂ’ÂœČąÂ?‘Žȹ Š›‹Š›ȹ Š••ȹ Â’Â?‘ȹ‘žÂ?ÂŽČą chandeliers and carved galleries. From here, we drove to see the Town Hall built by the architect Major Â‘ÂŠÂ›Â•ÂŽÂœČą Š—Â?ȹž—Â?Ž›ȹÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂŠÂžÂœÂ™Â’ÂŒÂŽÂœČą of the Maharajas. This stately neo-

gothic structure built in 1872-1876 is Ž–‹Ž••’œ‘ŽÂ?ȹ Â’Â?‘ȹÂ? Â˜ČąÂœÂ™Â’Â›ÂŽÂœÇ°ČąÂŠČąÂœÂ?ŽŽ™ȹ ›˜˜Â?ȹŠ—Â?ČąÂŠÂ—ČąÂ’Â–Â™Â˜ÂœÂ’Â—Â?ČąÂ?Š³ŠÂ?ÂŽȹ Â’Â?‘ȹŠȹ Ä™Â—ÂŽČąÂ™Â˜Â›ÂŒÂ‘ČąÂŠÂ?ČąÂ?‘ŽȹÂ?›˜—Â?ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ‹ž’•Â?’—Â?ÇŻČą Â‘ÂŽČąÂ™Â˜Â›ÂŒÂ‘ČąÂ•ÂŽÂŠÂ?ÂœČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂŠČąÂ•ÂŠÂ›Â?ÂŽČąÂŒÂŽÂ—Â?›Š•ȹ‘Š••ȹ and gallery inside, with two rooms on either side joined to the main hall by a ÂœÂ™ÂŠÂŒÂ’Â˜ÂžÂœČąÂ&#x;Ž›Š—Â?Š‘ȹ’—ȹÂ?‘ŽȹÂ?›˜—Â?ÇŻČą

The Khasbag Maidan, a wrestling stadium built around 1912 has a seating capacity of about 30,000 people

In the evening, we drove to Bhavani Š—Â?ÂŠÂ™Ç°ČąÂ•Â˜ÂŒÂŠÂ?ÂŽÂ?ȹ’—ȹÂ?‘Žȹ‘ŽŠ›Â?ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ Œ’Â?¢ȹ˜Â?Čą Â˜Â•Â‘ÂŠÂ™ÂžÂ›ÇŻČą Â?ČąÂ‘ÂŠÂœČąÂŠČąÂ™ÂŠÂ•ÂŠÂŒÂŽČąÂŒÂŠÂ•Â•ÂŽÂ?Čą

ž—Šȹ Š“ ÂŠÂ?ŠȹŠ—Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ ‘ŠÂ&#x;Š—’ȹÂ?Ž–™•Žǯȹ ‘˜žÂ?‘ǰȹ’Â?ȹ ÂŠÂœČąÂŠČąÂ™ÂŠÂ•ÂŠÂŒÂŽČąÂ˜Â—ÂŒÂŽÇ°ČąÂ’Â?ČąÂ’ÂœČąÂ—Â˜ ȹ –˜œÂ?•¢ȹ™ŠÂ?›˜—’œŽd for the Bhavani

ČąÂœÂ‘Â˜Â›Â?ČąÂ?Â’ÂœÂ?ÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽČąÂ?Â›Â˜Â–ČąÂ?‘ŽȹÂ?Ž–™•Žȹ ¢Â˜Âžȹ Â’••ȹę—Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ ‘Šœ‹ŠÂ?Čą Š’Â?Š—ǰȹ a wrestling stadium built around Ĺ—Ĺ&#x;Ĺ—Ĺ˜ǰȹ Â‘Â’ÂŒÂ‘ČąÂ‘ÂŠÂœČąÂŠČąÂœÂŽÂŠÂ?’—Â?ČąÂŒÂŠÂ™ÂŠÂŒÂ’Â?¢ȹ˜Â?Čą Š›˜ž—Â?ČąĹ™Ĺ–Ç°Ĺ–Ĺ–Ĺ–ČąÂ™ÂŽÂ˜Â™Â•ÂŽÇŻČą Â‘ÂŽČąĹšĹœÂ?‘ȹ ’—Â?Čą ŽœŠ›’ȹ Â›ÂŽÂœÂ?•’—Â?ČąÂŒÂ‘ÂŠÂ–Â™Â’Â˜Â—ÂœÂ‘Â’Â™ȹ ÂŠÂœČą held here to mark its centenary. You ŒŠ—ȹ ÂŠÂ?Œ‘ȹ Â›ÂŽÂœÂ?Â•ÂŽÂ›ÂœČąÂœÂ™ÂŠÂ›Â›Â’Â—Â?ČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ›ÂŽČąÂ˜Â›Čą at the Motibagh Talim Kendra. The ™Ž˜™•Žȹ ÂŽČąÂ–ÂŽÂ?ČąÂŠÂ›Â˜ÂžÂ—Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ Â›ÂŽÂœÂ?•’—Â?Čą ÂŠÂ›ÂŽÂ—ÂŠÂœČąÂ?˜•Â?ČąÂžÂœČąÂ?‘ŠÂ?Čą ‘‘ŠÂ?›Š™ŠÂ?Â’Čą ‘Š‘žȹ Š‘Š›Š“ȹ ÂŠÂœČąÂŠČąÂ?›ŽŠÂ?ȹ™ŠÂ?Â›Â˜Â—ČąÂ˜Â?Čą  Â›ÂŽÂœÂ?•’—Â?ȹ‹žÂ?ČąÂ‘ÂŽČąÂŠÂ•ÂœÂ˜ČąÂ™Â›Â˜Â–Â˜Â?ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ˜Â?‘Ž›ȹ œ™˜›Â?ÂœÇ°ČąÂ?‘ŽȹŠ›Â?ÂœČąÂŠÂ—Â?Čą Š›ŠÂ?Â‘Â’ČąÂŒÂžÂ•Â?ž›Žǯȹ For dinner, we headed to the Padma Guest House, which houses one of Â?Â‘ÂŽČąÂŒÂ’Â?¢Č‚ÂœČąÂ˜Â•Â?ÂŽÂœÂ?ČąÂ›ÂŽÂœÂ?Šž›Š—Â?ÂœÇŻČą ‘Žȹ owners Gauri and Ruturaj Ingle told us that this restaurant was inaugurated on August 15, 1947. This restaurant is still functioning and it has old fans, furniture, screens and ÂœÂŽÂ™Â’ÂŠČŹÂ?’—Â?ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ™Â‘Â˜Â?˜Â?Â›ÂŠÂ™Â‘ÂœÇŻČą ‘Žȹ•ŠÂ?ÂŽČą Â˜Â•Čą ÂŠÂ—ÂŠÂœÂŠÂ‘ÂŽÂ‹Čą ÂŠÂŠÄ´ÂŠÂ“Â’Â›ÂŠÂ˜Čą Ingle, a military secretary to the ÂŠÂ‘ÂŠÂ›ÂŠÂ“ČąÂ˜Â?Čą Â˜Â•Â‘ÂŠÂ™ÂžÂ›ČąÂ‹ÂžÂ’Â•Â?ČąÂŠČąÂŒÂ’Â—ÂŽÂ–ÂŠČą hall here and called it New Talkies. —œ™’›ŽÂ?ȹ‹¢ȹÂ?‘ŽȹŗĹ&#x;Ĺ™Ĺ–ÂœČąÂŠÂ›Â?ČąÂ?ÂŽÂŒÂ˜ČąÂœÂ?¢Â•ÂŽČąÂ˜Â?Čą ÂžÂ–Â‹ÂŠÂ’Č‚ÂœČą ÂŽÂ?Â›Â˜Čą Â’Â—ÂŽÂ–ÂŠČąÂ˜Â?Čą ˜–‹Š¢ǰȹ the theatre was inaugurated by Lt Col P Gaisford, British Resident of Â˜Â•Â‘ÂŠÂ™ÂžÂ›ČąÂ’Â—ČąĹ—Ĺ&#x;ŚŗȹŠ—Â?ȹ›Ž—Š–ŽÂ?Čą ŠÂ?–Šȹ Talkies after Princess Padmaraje, in 1942, with the consent of the royal

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family. “This resÂ?Šž›Š—Â?ȹ ÂŠÂœČąÂ˜Â™ÂŽÂ—ÂŽÂ?Čą by him in 1947 and also named ŠÂ?Â?Ž›ȹÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ™Â›Â’Â—ÂŒÂŽÂœÂœÇ°Č„ČąÂŽÂĄÂ™Â•ÂŠÂ’Â—ÂœČą žÂ?ž›Š“ȹ ™›˜žÂ?•¢ǯȹČƒ Â&#x;Ž›ȹÂ?‘Žȹ¢ÂŽÂŠÂ›ÂœÇ°ČąÂ?‘Žȹ ŠÂ?–Šȹ ›ŽœÂ?Šž›Š—Â?ČąÂŒÂžÂ›ÂŠÂ?ÂŽÂ?ȹŠȹ Â˜Â•Â‘ÂŠÂ™ÂžÂ›Â’ČąÂ–ÂŽÂ—ÂžČą and launched a thali. The famous Â˜Â•Â‘ÂŠÂ™ÂžÂ›Â’ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŠÂ•Â’ČąÂ’ÂœČąÂ’Â—ÂœÂ™Â’Â›ÂŽÂ?ȹ‹¢ȹÂ?Â‘Â’ÂœČą menu,â€? he adds. After dinner, they invited us to the Padma Talkies, which has been screening movies from 1941. Giving us some historical trivia, Ruturaj Ingle says, “The theatre used to screen —Â?Â•Â’ÂœÂ‘ČąÄ™Â•Â–ÂœČąÂŠÂ—d housed a bar. In

those days, a cam™ȹÂ?Â˜Â›Čą Â˜Â•Â’ÂœÂ‘Čą ÂŽ Âœȹ ÂŠÂœČą created in Valivade on the outskirts of the city. And, the Jews used to frequent the theatre to watch English classics. The matinee 10 am show slot  ÂŠÂœČąÄ™ÂĄÂŽÂ?ČąÂŽÂĄÂŒÂ•ÂžÂœÂ’Â&#x;Ž•¢ȹÂ?Â˜Â›Čą Šž›Ž•ȹŠ—Â?Čą Hardy movies. The Padma Talkies also catered to the local audiences by screening Marathi and Hindi –˜Â&#x;Â’ÂŽÂœÇŻČą Â‘ÂŽČąĹ™ČąÂ™Â–ČąÂœÂ‘Â˜ ȹ ÂŠÂœČąÂ›ÂŽÂœÂŽÂ›Â&#x;ÂŽÂ?Čą Â?˜›ȹ Â˜Â–Ž—ȹŠ—Â?ČąÂ?‘ŽȹÂ?‘ŽŠÂ?Â›ÂŽČąÂ™Â›Â˜Â&#x;Â’Â?ÂŽÂ?Čą œŽ™Š›ŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂœÂŽÂŠÂ?’—Â?ȹŠ››Š—Â?Ž–Ž—Â?ÂœČąÂ?Â˜Â›Čą women for all the other shows!â€? While digital technologies are used

in theatres today, he has created a Â?ŠœŒ’—ŠÂ?’—Â?ČąÂ–ÂžÂœÂŽÂžÂ–ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ™Â›Â˜Â“ÂŽÂŒÂ?Â˜Â›ÂœČąÂŠÂ—Â?Čą ˜Â?Â‘ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ˜Â•Â?ȹŽšž’™–Ž—Â?ǰȹŠ—Â?ČąÂœÂ˜Â–ÂŽČąÂŒÂ’Â—ÂŽÂ–ÂŠČą memorabilia from the theatre, for interested visitors. ‘’•Žȹ ÂŽȹ ÂŽÂ›ÂŽČąÂ’–™›ŽœœŽÂ?ȹ‹¢ȹÂ?‘Žȹ quantity and quality of heritage ‹ž’•Â?’—Â?ÂœČąÂ’Â—Čą Â˜Â•Â‘ÂŠÂ™ÂžÂ›Ç°ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ȹ’Â?ÂœČą ’—Â?Š—Â?Â’Â‹Â•ÂŽČąÂ‘Â’ÂœÂ?˜›¢ȹ˜Â?ȹŽ—Â?ÂŽÂ›Â™Â›Â’ÂœÂŽÇ°ČąÂŒÂžÂ•Â?ž›Žȹ and cuisine, we feel that a heritage –Š—ŠÂ?Ž–Ž—Â?ȹ™•Š—ȹ—ŽŽÂ?ÂœČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ‹ÂŽČąÂ?›Š Â—Čą ž™ȹÂ?Â˜ČąÂŒÂ˜Â—ÂœÂŽÂ›Â&#x;ŽȹŠ—Â?ČąÂŒÂŽÂ•ÂŽÂ‹Â›ÂŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂŒÂ’Â?¢Č‚ÂœČą ‘Ž›’Â?ŠÂ?ÂŽÇŻČą —Â?ǰȹ’—ȹÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ™Â›Â˜ÂŒÂŽÂœÂœÇ°ČąÂŠÄ´Â›ÂŠÂŒÂ?Čą more visitors to this city.

of Ibrahimpur

MY VIEW

Changing the landscape Three years ago, Dr P Raghu Ram and his family adopted a remote village in Medak district. The family has spent more than â‚š50 lakh and Dr Raghu Ram the philanthropist, has pledged to undertake more initiatives in the village. Meanwhile, Harish Rao, the cabinet minister in the government of Telangana, inaugurated all the projects that have been completed until now, on the auspicious anniversary of Telangana Formation Day—June 4. In his quarterly column, Dr Raghu Ram details the work the family has done in the village of Ibrahimpur  Â’Â?Â‘ČąÂœÂ˜Â•ÂŠÂ›ČąÂŽÂ•ÂŽÂŒÂ?›’ęŒŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ÇŻČą Â‘ÂŽÂœÂŽČąÂœÂ‘ÂŽÂ?ÂœČąÂ‘ÂŠÂ&#x;Žȹ‹ŽŽ—ȹ‹ž’•Â?ČąÂ˜Â—ČąÂ?‘Žȹ In adopting Ibrahimpur, the remotest village in Medak district, Â&#x;’••ŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ˜ÂžÂ?œ”’›Â?ÂœČŻÂ˜Â—ČąÂŠČąÂœÂ™ÂŠÂŒÂŽČŻÂœÂ™Â›ÂŽÂŠÂ?ČąÂ˜Â&#x;Ž›ȹÂ?Â‘Â›ÂŽÂŽČąÂŠÂŒÂ›ÂŽÂœČąÂ˜Â?ȹ•Š—Â?ÇŻČą the Lord showed me the path to the joy of working for the welfare of ‘Žȹ Â’Â?ŽŠȹ  ÂŠÂœČą Â?Â˜Čą Â‘Â˜ÂžÂœÂŽČą Â?‘Žȹ ÂœÂ‘ÂŽÂŽÂ™Čą Š ÂŠ¢ȹ Â?Â›Â˜Â–Čą Â?‘Žȹ Â&#x;’••ŠÂ?ÂŽČą Â?Â˜Čą people who I had never known prior to 2015. To see the happiness ™›ŽÂ&#x;Ž—Â?ČąÂŠÂ—Â’Â–ÂŠÂ•ČŹÂ‹Â˜Â›Â—ÂŽČąÂ?Â’ÂœÂŽÂŠÂœÂŽÂœČąÂ?Â›Â˜Â–ČąÂœÂ™Â›ÂŽÂŠÂ?’—Â?ȹ’—ȹÂ?‘ŽȹÂ&#x;’••ŠÂ?ÂŽČą on their faces today is satisfying. All the projects conceived in the Œ˜––ž—’Â?¢ǯȹ Â‘Â’ÂœČąÂ’ÂœČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÄ™Â›ÂœÂ?ČŹÂ˜Â?ČŹÂ’Â?ÂœČŹÂ”Â’Â—Â?ȹ’—’Â?’ŠÂ?Â’Â&#x;Žȹž—Â?Ž›Â?Š”Ž—ȹ village by me over the past three years have been completed. I am in Telangana and AP. very happy that my younger son chose to accompany me, to see for himself the landmark initiatives that were undertaken in the village, —Â?’•ȹ —˜ ǰȹ śŖȎŗŖŖȹ ÂœÂ‘ÂŽÂŽÂ™Čą  ÂŽÂ›ÂŽČą Œ›Š––ŽÂ?Čą ’—œ’Â?ÂŽČą Â?‘Žȹ ÂœÂ–ÂŠÂ•Â•Čą which have been recognised with local, regional and homes of the 46 residents of the village. They national awards. I am very happy that •’Â&#x;ÂŽÂ?Čą ’—ȹ ÂŒÂ•Â˜ÂœÂŽČą Â™Â›Â˜ÂĄÂ’Â–Â’Â?¢ȹ  Â’Â?‘ȹ Â?Â‘ÂŽÂœÂŽČą ÂŠÂ—Â’Â–ÂŠÂ•ÂœÇ°Čą which was unhygienic and led to air-borne ÂŽÂ?Čą –Žȹ ÂœÂ?Š›Â?Čą  Â’Â?‘ȹ Č ÂŠÂ’Â”ÂžÂ—Â?ŠÂ?‘Š–Š–Ȃǰȹ Šȹ my younger son chose Š—Â?Čą  ÂŠÂ?ÂŽÂ›ČŹÂ‹Â˜Â›Â—ÂŽČą ’—Â?ÂŽÂŒÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ÂœČą Â?Â˜Čą œ™›ŽŠÂ?Čą ’—ȹ ‹˜Â?‘ȹ –˜Â?Ž›—ȹ Œ›Ž–ŠÂ?Â˜Â›Â’ÂžÂ–Čą ‹ž’•Â?Čą Â˜Â—Čą Šȹ Â˜Â—ÂŽČą ÂŠÂŒÂ›ÂŽČą ™•˜Â?Čą to accompany me, to Â?Â‘ÂŽČąÂœÂ‘ÂŽÂŽÂ™ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ›ÂŽÂœÂ’Â?Ž—Â?ÂœÇŻČą in the village. Catering to many villages around ‹›Š‘’–™ž›ǰȹ Â?Â‘Â’ÂœČą ™›˜“ŽŒÂ?Čą ™›˜Â&#x;Â’Â?ÂŽÂœČą Â?‘Žȹ Â–ÂžÂŒÂ‘ČŹ see for himself the Green energy is the future, and we installed needed relief to residents in the area during the landmark initiatives home solar systems for 26 houses that is a –˜œÂ?ČąÂ?’ĜŒž•Â?ČąÂ?’–Žȹ’—ȹÂ?‘Ž’›ȹ•’Â&#x;ÂŽÂœÇŻČą ČąÂ•Â˜Â?ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂŒÂŠÂ›ÂŽČąÂ‘ÂŠÂœČą Â›ÂŽÂ•Â’ÂŠÂ‹Â•ÂŽČąÂœÂ˜ÂžÂ›ÂŒÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ČąĹ—Ĺ–Ĺ–ČąÂ™ÂŽÂ›ČąÂŒÂŽÂ—Â?ČąÂ?Â›ÂŽÂŽČąÂŽÂ•ÂŽÂŒÂ?›’Œ’Â?¢ǯȹ that were undertaken ‹ŽŽ—ȹÂ?Š”Ž—ȹÂ?Â˜ČąÂŽÂ—ÂœÂžÂ›ÂŽČąÂ?‘ŠÂ?ČąÂ?Â‘Â’ÂœČąÂ™Â•ÂŠÂŒÂŽČąÂ•Â˜Â˜Â”ÂœČąÂ•Â’Â”ÂŽČąÂŠČą Â‘Â’ÂœČą Â?ŠŒ’•’Â?¢ȹ Â‘ÂŠÂœČą ‹ŽŽ—ȹ ™›˜Â&#x;Â’Â?ÂŽÂ?Čą Â?Â˜Čą Â?‘Žȹ ÂœÂ™ÂŠÂŒÂ’Â˜ÂžÂœČą Â‘Â˜Â–ÂŽČą  Â’Â?‘ȹ Â?ŠŒ’•’Â?Â’ÂŽÂœČą Š—Â?Čą Â˜Â™ÂŽÂ—Čą ÂœÂ™ÂŠÂŒÂŽÂœČą in the village, which ™˜˜›ŽœÂ?Čą ˜Â?Čą Â?‘Žȹ Â™Â˜Â˜Â›Čą ’—ȹ Â?‘Žȹ Â&#x;’••ŠÂ?ÂŽÂœČą Â?Â˜Čą ÂŽÂ—ÂœÂžÂ›ÂŽČą  Â’Â?‘ȹÂ?›ŽŽ—Ž›¢ȹÂ?Â˜ČąÂ™Â›Â˜Â&#x;Â’Â?ÂŽČąÂœÂ˜Â•ÂŠÂŒÂŽÇŻ have been recognised zero electricity bills for a lifetime, and at Žȹ‘ŠÂ&#x;ÂŽČąÂŠÂ•ÂœÂ˜ČąÂŽÂ›ÂŽÂŒÂ?ÂŽÂ?ČąĹšĹœČąÂœÂ‘ÂŽÂŽÂ™ČąÂœÂ‘ÂŽÂ?ÂœȹǝÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂŠÂ•Â•ČąÂ?‘Žȹ with local, regional and Â?Â‘ÂŽČąÂœÂŠÂ–ÂŽČąÂ?’–ŽȹÂ?Â‘Â’ÂœČąÂ™Â›Â˜Â“ÂŽÂŒÂ?ČąÂ’ÂœČąÂŠÂ•ÂœÂ˜ČąÂŒÂ›ÂŽÂŠÂ?’—Â?ČąÂŽÂŒÂ˜ČŹ friendly homes and a cleaner environment. ĹšĹœČąÂ?ÂŠÂ–Â’Â•Â’ÂŽÂœČąÂ’Â—ČąÂ?‘ŽȹÂ&#x;’••ŠÂ?ÂŽȹ Â‘Â˜ČąÂ˜ Â—ČąÂŒÂŠÄ´Â•ÂŽǟǰȹŠ•˜—Â?Čą

national awards

ŽŠÂ?’—Â?ČąÂ˜Â™ÂŽÂ—s minds and doors for even the ™˜˜›ŽœÂ?Čą ˜Â?Čą Â?‘Žȹ Â™Â˜Â˜Â›ÇŻČą Â˜Ç°Čą  ÂŽČą •Š’Â?Čą Â?‘Žȹ Â?˜ž—Â?ŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—Čą ÂœÂ?Â˜Â—ÂŽČą Â?Â˜Â›Čą Šȹ Œ˜––ž—’Â?¢ȹ•’‹›Š›¢ǰȹ Â‘’Œ‘ȹ Â’Â•Â•ČąÂ™Â›Â˜Â&#x;Â’Â?ÂŽČąÂŠÂŒÂŒÂŽÂœÂœČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ—ÂŽ ÂœÂ™ÂŠÂ™ÂŽÂ›ÂœÇ°Čą magazines, and books. In addition, there will be an Internet ŒŠÂ?ÂŽČą Â?Â˜Â›Čą ›Žœ’Â?Ž—Â?ÂœČą Â?Â˜Čą ’–™›˜Â&#x;ÂŽČą Â?‘Žȹ šžŠ•’Â?¢ȹ ˜Â?Čą Â?‘Ž’›ȹ •’Â&#x;ÂŽÂœÇŻČą Â‘Â’ÂœČą Â™Â•ÂŠÂŒÂŽČą  Â˜ÂžÂ•Â?Čą ÂŠÂ•ÂœÂ˜Čą ‹Žȹ žœŽÂ?Čą Â?Â˜Čą Œ˜—Â?žŒÂ?Čą Â?Š›Â?ÂŽÂ?ÂŽÂ?Čą Š ÂŠÂ›ÂŽÂ—ÂŽÂœÂœČą sessions by community healthcare workers, using the available audio visual facilities in the library. Â˜Â–ÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ’—’Â?’ŠÂ?Â’Â&#x;ÂŽÂœȹ ÂŽČąÂ?Â˜Â˜Â”ČąÂžÂ™ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂŒÂ˜Â–Â™Â•ÂŽÂ?ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ’Â—ČąĹ˜Ĺ–Ĺ—Ĺ?ȹŠ—Â?Čą are currently functional are listed below: ČŁČą ČąÂ?’—’—Â?ČąÂ›Â˜Â˜Â–ČąÂ’Â—ČąÂ?‘ŽȹÂ&#x;’••ŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂœÂŒÂ‘Â˜Â˜Â•ČąÂ‘ÂŠÂœČąÂ‹ÂŽÂŽÂ—ČąÂ‹ÂžÂ’Â•Â?ȹŠ—Â?ČąÂ’ÂœČą used by the students, who were earlier eating their lunch in ÂŠÂ—ČąÂ˜Â™ÂŽÂ—ČąÂŒÂ˜Â–Â™Â˜ÂžÂ—Â?ÇŻČą Â?žÂ?Ž—Â?ÂœČąÂ—Â˜ ȹ‘ŠÂ&#x;ÂŽČąÂŠÂŒÂŒÂŽÂœÂœČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂŠČąÂŒÂ•Â˜ÂœÂŽÂ?Ç°Čą Œ˜—Â&#x;Ž—’Ž—Â?ȹŠ—Â?ČąÂŠÂŽÂœÂ?‘ŽÂ?’ŒŠ••¢ȹŒ˜—œÂ?›žŒÂ?ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ™Â•ÂŠÂŒÂŽČąÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂ?’—’—Â?Ç°Čą which also ensures hygiene.

Central minister, T Harish Rao with Krishna Sai, Dr Raghu Ram’s son

ČŁČą ÂŽČą ÂŠÂ•ÂœÂ˜Čą Œ˜—œÂ?›žŒÂ?ÂŽÂ?Čą Šȹ Â?Â’Â?Â’Â?Š•ȹ ÂœÂ?žÂ?¢ȹ Â›Â˜Â˜Â–Čą ’—ȹ Â?‘Žȹ Â&#x;’••ŠÂ?ÂŽČą school. Students now have access to state-of-the-art audio Â&#x;Â’ÂœÂžÂŠÂ•Čą Â?ŠŒ’•’Â?Â’ÂŽÂœÇ°Čą  Â‘Â’ÂŒÂ‘Čą ™›˜Â&#x;Â’Â?ÂŽÂœČą Šȹ ÂœÂŽÂ›ÂŽÂ—ÂŽČą Ž—Â&#x;’›˜—–Ž—Â?Čą to study during school breaks and school holidays.

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ROUND UP

UBF

Diary

April 2018

The Secret of Success April 7, Bhopal: Dr Raghu Ram was the chief guest at the graduation ceremony of the 2012 graduation batch held at the Gandhi Medical College (GMC), Bhopal. Established in 1955, GMC is one of the oldest and prestigious medical schools in MP. In his speech, the doctor highlighted the relevance of an important component of the Hippocratic Oath ‘to keep the good of the patient as the highest priority’, and emphasised the importance of communication skills in medicine. He also shared the core principles that have shaped his life so far and what he would define as “success”. The budding doctors were advised to never forget their parents and teachers, and equally, to work hard, to think out-of-the-box, serve the needy and above all, to remain grounded at all times.

Look After Your Mom! April 21, Hyderabad: Dr Raghu Ram was invited to participate along with Pinkie Roshan, the mother of Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan, and other prominent people from all walks of life, in a panel discussion at the launch of the Million Moms community, to discuss what motivates moms to take care of their health and fitness. Dr Raghu Ram shared his story with the audience—the turning point in his life when his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and his decision to relocate to India to look after his mother. His poignant message: ‘Look after your mom, treasure her and value her. In turn, you will be blessed’.

A Round for Cancer Conquerors at Mrs India Telangana

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April 22, Hyderabad: Dr Raghu Ram was the chief guest at the Mrs India Telangana Pageant 2018. The winner will represent Telangana at the Mrs India National Pageant 2018 later this year. The event was organised by Mamata Trivedi (Mrs India 2017, Mrs Asia International 2018 and the regional director for Mrs India Telangana Pageant 2018). With one million new cases diagnosed every year, India accounts for the third highest number of cancer cases among women after China and the USA. Due to lack of awareness and absence of a screening programme, more than 70 per cent are diagnosed in advanced stages. As part of a strategy to increase awareness about cancer in women, Dr Raghu Ram suggested to the organisers to include a round for cancer ‘conquerors’ in the Pageant.

June 2018

Guest speaker at the National Judicial Academy

June 6, Bhopal: Dr Raghu Ram was the guest speaker at the National Judicial Academy, Bhopal. The Academy imparts training to judges from all over India. In his speech, the doctor empowered the staff on different breast health issues and spread the message about the importance of early detection.

July 2018

Celebrating 70 years of NHS July 6, Hyderabad: One third of the doctors, employed at the National Health Service in the UK, are of Indian origin. They are the backbone of the world’s largest integrated health system. The British Deputy High Commission, Hyderabad & KIMS Hospitals hosted a quintessential British evening reception to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). The NHS is the world’s largest integrated health system, which provides universal healthcare, free to all qualifying UK residents. It treats over one million patients every 36 hours and performs over six million procedures per year. In his address, Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner, Hyderabad, said: “As we celebrate the NHS’ 70th anniversary, this is a chance to reflect on the extraordinary contribution of Indian medical professionals to the NHS over seven decades and the close links that exist between our two healthcare systems. It is also an opportunity to celebrate future collaboration. The UK has developed some of the most innovative healthcare services and systems in the world. We want to work with close partners such as India in order to combine our respective expertise, jointly deal with new challenges and changing healthcare needs and embrace opportunities presented by the development of new technology.” There are many, personal examples of the close links that exist between the UK and Indian healthcare systems, including in Hyderabad itself. One example is Padma Shri awardee Dr P Raghu Ram, recipient of the Dr B C Roy national award. Having obtained higher specialist training at some of the world-renowned centres of excellence in the UK, Dr P Raghu Ram and his wife Dr Vyjayanthi, relocated to India in 2007. He has since established south Asia’s first stand-alone breast healthcare centre at KIMS Hospital. Dr Vyjayanthi heads the KIMS Fertility Centre— the largest fertility centre in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Dr P Raghu Ram, director, KIMS-USHALAKSHMI Centre for Breast Diseases, who organised the event said: “Vyjayanthi and I are very fortunate to have been able to train in the NHS, and equally, grateful to the Board of Directors at KIMS Hospitals for giving us an opportunity to incorporate and exemplify the best of British practices into our sphere of work over the past decade. On this very happy occasion, celebrating 70 glorious years of the NHS, we extend our heartfelt best wishes to the thousands of dedicated staff working in one of the most trusted and renowned public health services in the world.”

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