For whom it matters

Republic Day 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 22:37:00 +0530

As is the usual practice of Prayas Club, this year too , 26 January saw the eager and intrepid Prayas Members wend their way to the Differently Abled Childrens School in Wanowrie ( you all know where this is.... just next to the chowk ahead of the Int School Mess after crossing the nullah).

Prayas Members participated in the flag hoisting ceremony, and were felicitated by the various guests. Distribution of sweets and other such delectable items were well appreciated by the recipients.

Pandey of Z-2 Batch enthralled everyone with a song on his heart and a smile on his lips.

Shortly after the flag hoisting ceremonies were over, Prayas Club members wandered across to their favourite Old Age Home in Wanowrie and spent some quality time with the old ladies there.

These are a bunch of real dedicated and devoted Prayas Members !

Raising the flag!

National Anti Leprosy Day

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 22:24:00 +0530

Mahatma Gandhi had on his personal agenda, the drive for Leprosy elimination and the stigma associated with this disease.

Hence it indeed is fitting that the day of the Mahatma's Martyrdom is commemorated as National Anti Leprosy Day in end January every year.

Prayas Club had a visit to the Kondhwa Leprosy Hospital organized where the students performed a street play to generate awareness about measures required to be taken by society , amongst the inmates of the Hospital. They were also taken on a round of the rehabilitation facilities.

A rapt audience of inmates were shown how society in general needs to be more aware of the needs of patients affected by leprosy.

Explaining the backdrop to a rapt audience

Society stands with the patients

Tell us more!

Pulse Polio 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 22:14:00 +0530

To the average Natha Singh on the street, the national Pulse Polio program might have assumed a routine avatar, but not for our Keen Kumars and Kumaris from Prayas!

On two Sundays of January and February of 2014, when others were basking in the mellow sunshine, our Prayas members toiled the day away for a noble cause.... to help accelerate the drive to eliminate polio from our horizons....
For information on Pulse Polio please click on the links below...

http://www.globalvaccines.org/content/polio+vaccine+program/19613

http://nrhm.gov.in/nrhm-components/rmnch-a/child-health-immunization/pulse-polio-programme.html

Prayas Member making his mark

Do Boond Zindagi Ke....

I shall contribute to eliminating polio... Z-2 Batch member of Prayas

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 23:47:00 +0530

To all our well wishers: Greetings and Best wishes for a Happy and Prosperous 2014 !

May this year too and the years to come, bring you all that you and your loved ones desire, in terms of health and happiness!

Prayas Club members are looking forward to having a calendar of activities involving reaching out to the community as hithertofore, with renewed gusto once they get down to the tasks at hand. As you would know, most Members of Prayas are on well deserved holidays after a gruelling session of exams. Hence we have been quiet for a while.

Z2 batch has to step in large numbers now to fill in the voids left by batches that have left the portals of AFMC. Come on ! Rise to the occasion Z2! They would need to be handheld through the process of initiation to the world of Prayas by their seniors and then will undoubtedly match and maybe even outshine the contributions of their predecessors.
Do remember that Prayas is a way of life, and not just a Student Club.
You can join anytime , but you will never leave.....!

It would be interesting for our benefactors to note that one of our student Members is proceeding to the Indian Public Health Association Conference at Tirupati (21 Jan to 24 Jan) to make a poster presentation showcasing the activities of Prayas Club over the decade(s). We shall keep you updated on developments on this front.

Once again, a very Happy New Year to you all.
Prayas Club looks forward to your sustained support and encouragement.
Past Prayas Club Members, please do note, that you are still a part of the Club even though you may be far away . Your suggestions and ideas are always welcome.

Thank you for being with us.

Diwali at the Kondhwa Leprosy Hospital

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 00:41:00 +0530

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

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 20:36:00 +0530

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!

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 15:03:00 +0530

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

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Fri, 1 Nov 2013 17:18:00 +0530

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!

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 14:58:00 +0530

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

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Sun, 15 Sep 2013 15:52:00 +0530

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

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 20:19:00 +0530

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

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 20:06:00 +0530

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

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 18:20:00 +0530

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Mon, 5 Aug 2013 10:47:00 +0530

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 19:35:00 +0530

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 19:20:00 +0530

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 19:01:00 +0530

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 15:00:00 +0530

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 14:41:00 +0530

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 20:57:00 +0530

WHEEL CHAIR FOR PATIENTS

PRAYAS with the help of LION's club pune has donated wheel chairs to the DEPT. of orthopeadics,

A F M C for the care of patients.

ESSAY COMPETITION FOR UNDERGRADUATES

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 20:41:00 +0530

AFMCites : CALL TO ACTION

UTTARAKHAND RELIEF AND REHABILITATION

CARING AND SHARING

“ Rescue almost over, long and Hard work of rehab lies ahead”

(Times of India, 27 Jun 2013)

1. Rain coats, blankets, milk powder, biscuits may indeed be welcome in Uttarakhand today, however they are only likely to be drops in the ocean. A more lasting and indeed beneficial role which students of AFMC can perform, is to use their training and education (apart from high IQ / and EQ) and develop a plan for rehabilitation, disaster mitigation, and perspective planning for prevention of future occurrences of this nature.

2. An Essay competition for undergraduate students is hereby announced to develop a plan to rehabilitate the affected areas, in the form of a village (to be referred to as “Village Uk”) of 5000 people approx. This plan is to be written in the form of an Essay on any of the following themes:

(a) Sustainable Development in Ecologically Fragile Zones (in the aftermath of the present disaster).

(b) Post Disaster Rehabilitation: Priorities for action (what all, how is it proposed to be implemented, by whom, in what time frame).

(c) Disaster Management Planning. Gaps in Uttarakhand and remedial measures for future planning (including involvement of the community.)

3. Prayas Club Members are already on a funds collection drive , the proceeds of which will be contributed by AFMC to the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund http://pmindia.gov.in/pmfunds.php Please support them!

4. Rules of the Competition:-

(a) Any number of teams of Two Boys and One Girl can send in Essays.

(b) Essay to be sent in PDF format to wardenafmc@gmail.com by 0830h on 01 July 2013.

(d) References / Bibliography to be cited at the end of the essay.

(e) Word limit of 3000 to 5000 words.

(f) Please mention the names and batch of the team on the first page of the Essay, and start essay from second page.

5. Winning entry (s) will be awarded attractive prizes and will also be guided in preparing an article for publication in a Medical Journal. ‘Out of the box’ ideas and plans can be mentored and translated into action at the local, regional and national level.

6. Resource materials / links can be obtained by visiting http://prayasclub.blogspot.in/

7. Plagiarism check software will be used:so don’t “copy paste”

For further details contact :- Col MP Cariappa , Resident Warden

Web Resources

(including but not limited to)

http://www.who.int/hac/en/index.html

http://ndma.gov.in/ndma/index.htm

http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/

http://www.wipro.org/community/wipro-cares/disaster-rehabilitation.html

http://dmmc.uk.gov.in/

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/1852393/report-uttarakhand-falling-woefully-short-of-disaster-management-standards

Poster-making competition

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Fri, 5 Apr 2013 23:02:00 +0530

A Poster-making competition was organized on the theme of World Tuberculosis Day on 20th of March, 2013. This year's motto of World TB Day was "Stop TB in your life". Based on this theme a total of 15 participants took initiative to show their talent & produced some wonderful pieces of art. The participants comprised of medical cadets from AFMC, nursing cadets from College of Nursing, & young students from Army Public School.

Visit to Old Age Home at Kamshed

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Fri, 5 Apr 2013 22:39:00 +0530

On 10th of March 2013, medical cadets & members of Prayas visited the old age home- "Nishtha Seva Kendra" at Kamshed run by Sevadham Trust. It was a special moment for the passing-out medical cadets to interact for the last time with the residents. This moment was equally cherished by both medical cadets and the people of old-age home as they blessed the passing-out medical cadets for all their future endeavours.

A donation of INR 8,500 was made to the old-age home on this occasion. Out of this sum, INR 3,500 was donated by a single medical cadet who preferred to remain anonymous.

Pulse polio campaign

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Wed, 6 Mar 2013 10:35:00 +0530

PULSE POLIO CAMPAIGN

D C A colony ,PUNE

ON 24th FEB 2013 ,the day which will make sure that we eradicate polio from INDIA
5 Medical cadets from PRAYAS club participated in the programme to contribute their efforts in eradicating polio from india.
Cadets were sent to 5 different places in PUNE where not only they vaccinated over 800 childrens but also educated there parents regaurding the disease and vaccination programme.

Donation to SOS childrens village

noreply@blogger.com (Prayas Club, AFMC) — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 22:42:00 +0530

Donation to SOS childrens village, Pune

"15 Feb 2013: Members of Prayas Club AFMC on behalf of Zedd presented a cheque for Rs 78000 to sponsor two children of SOS Childrens Village Pune for five years. And in addition a cheque for Rs 5000 towards a general donation to the same establishment was handed over. "