“I’ve been blowing the instrument since my childhood. Day by day, it is becoming difficult even to breath freely for me as this might have weakened my lungs. Many a times, thought of seeking a doctor’s advice but my (poor economic) condition prevented me. We never thought, someone would notice our issues and care for us! Can’t express enough of my gratitude toward these (NSDL- GLSAK Project) people! Will try to live a healthy life as per their suggestions.” A Brass-band Troup Player shared his experience after the camp with tearful eyes!

Over years, our project head Dr. Diwakar Kulkarni has observed that many of the Brass-Band Troup Members have grave lung diseases; mainly due to excessive stress on their lungs because of their continous blowing of the music instruments, poor lifestyle and addictions. This year, he assigned the task to find out these distressed brass-band troup workers to the project team and have a comprehensive health camp for their major issues, which would otherwise remain unaddressed forever. After Consultation, it was observed that 25 of them were living undiagnosed with serious life threatening conditions arising from their occupation. They were provided necessary treatment, special Counseling Sessions to avoid the health hazards in their occupation as well as De-addiction advasaries.

The newly wed couples Shilpa & Vishal Pagare and Neha & Nirvan Adhav were quite overwhelmed with the welcome they had at the Newly- Wed Couples’ felicitation program by Tejaswini. Family education and counseling is one of the objectives of Tejaswini. “I’m really surprised and happy that Tejaswini is felicitating us! Not only that, it is providing very vital information on family health, relationship and life skills. I’m really grateful!” shared Nirvan, a participant. Shilpa, another participant added, “There is no other parallel system, especially for the bride to learn about these things. Thanks Tejaswini!”

Antarwali Khandi is one of the village of Sweet lemon bowls of Marathwada. Since 2012, the consistent drought ruined Sweet Lemon orchards. This year Water conservation works were done in the village By SPMESM and Praj Foundation with community participation. It has increased water storage capacity of village. Till now the rainfall is 320 mm, but the Mati Nala Bandh and doh are full. The groundwater level has increased and the wells are full of water first time since last 7 years.

Mr Kakasaheb Hande, an ex army man, was just nother farmer of Antarwali Khandi village. But when Praj Jal Abhiyan started at his village, he wholeheartedly committed himself as a full time volunteer to the work! He played a pivotal role in motivating the farmers to participate in the work, raising the community contribution, resolving the disputes on field and even looking after the drivers and technicians on the work. He also monitored the work voluntarily during the night shifts. Seeing his enthusiastic participation, the villagers have chosen him as the president of the village watershed committee. “I was fighting for my motherland when in Army. The same with this work. This is also a noble service to my motherland! My only wish is to see our water structires overflowing this monsoon!” he expressed his feelings in one of the project meetings.

Priyanka Tarate, 16, lives in Sant Rohidasnagar, Mukundwadi. She was a very silent girl when she joined KVP. The project coordinator started involving her in each activity of the project like sports, cultural activity, hobby class etc. She is a martial arts student and currently perusing black belt course. She has participated in many district and state level competitions and has been awarded at many platforms and competitions. Today, she teaches Karate to KVP girls at Mukundwadi center with free of cost. The transformation from a shy girl to a confident sports player is what KVP’s addition to her personality.

The world Cerebral Palsy Organization is a major global platform for Awareness on C P. Its Poster every year is widely circulated throughout the globe for various awareness activities on CP. For this year’s poster, the organization has selected Vihanga Director Aditi Shardul and her special son Harsh as the ideal parent and Special Kid pair. A proud moment for Vihanga as its work goes global through the poster! The local media highlighted this news as Pride of Aurangabad!

Rupali Barve, a handicapped girl from a poor family from Ramnagar was under stress and had lost all her hopes about her future! With the training courses at Basic and Advanced tailoring at Pragati Tailoring Training, Mukundwadi, she is on her own  now; earning for her family. Rupali is full of confidence and her story was published in a leading daily on Women’s Day.

Ms Minakshi Bhorge joined Pragati Food Processing and Catering Training for slum women at Milindnagar. The quality training was offered to her at a token fee. She completed the training but wanted to start her own entrepreneurship. SPMESM and BYST provided the vital hand-holding. She got a loan under Mudra Scheme by the Government and could set her business. A proud owner of a Floor Mill and a local brand of Chilly Powder, Minakshi now earning Rs. 10,000 per month and is very particular in repaying the loan. Today, she appears on the Government's advertisement for the scheme all over Maharashtra!

Neelam Kedare, lives in rented house in MIDC Chikalthana. Her family faced financial constraints when they migrated to the city, couple of years ago.  She was searching for an opportunity which would enable her earning something. Neelam, through a friend, walked in the Pragati Beautician Training Course by SPMESM at Mukundwadi. She completed an extensive, quality training with practically no fees at the center. Neelam also got a placement as an Intern at a reputed Beauty parlor of the town. Neelam was completely transformed in to a young entrepreneur after the training and started her own Beauty Parlor in a posh locality of Aurangabad; with which she is now earning 20000 Rs a month.

Thank you Ujjwal Bharat -School campus is free from junk food rappers now -- Ujjwal Bharat Team had sessions on Healthy Habits in Dongargaon Kawad School. One of them was about the Hazards of Junk Food. After one month, when the team visited the same school, the Headmaster looked very happy. He shared the students are no longer consuming junk food as the effect of the session! He observed the school campus is now free of various wrappers of junk food which used to be there all over!

Lata, Sanjeevani’s Arogya Mitra of Waghola is an active Health Volunteer in Sanjeevani Project. Her work on Pregnancy Care is so popular in the village, that even the school kids know she would be of help in someone in trouble. Recently, a ‘full- term’ pregnant lady from a neighboring village was traveling to the primary health center with her husband on his motorbike via Waghola. She started having labor pains and asked the husband to stop by the road. Waghola school kids passing by the road saw her condition and promptly called their ‘Lata Aunty’ who rushed to the couple; called the ambulance and assisted the lady with first aid while accompanying the lady to PHC.  Within 5 minutes of reaching the PHC; the lady gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Lata’s extraordinary coordination saved the life of the lady and her child. She was felicitated in a special program in the village where Hon. Haribhau Bagde, the Speaker of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.