Keekli Reporter, 22nd June, 2014, Durgapur
In continuation to their philanthropic activities and engaging actively with the society, Rotary Club Shimla Mid Town organized a medical check-up camp and distributed free medicines to the girls housed in the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Ashram, Durgapur, about 18 kilometers from Shimla City. President Ram Gopal Sood, Rotary Mid Town, said, “Under the directive of Rotary International and programmes adopted by our Club, this is one of the important contributions made by us. In this we facilitate medical advice and guidance to all the girls and also distribute free medicines. Doctors are invited to perform medical check-ups and accordingly medicines are prescribed. In case special attention is needed we, assist in that as well”. Dr Prem Gandhi, President, Ashram Durgapur, Secretary Hari Singh Verma and Superintendent Nirmala Devi too were present during the occasion. Accompanying the Rotary President in the camp were Drs Asha and Kuldeep Maria, PP Pankaj Dadwal, Secretary Sanjeev Gupta, Ashok Jain, Yogesh Arya and Avtar Singh among others.
Dr Asha Maria and Kuldeep Maria performed check-ups on 57 girls residing in the ashram between age groups 6 and 15 years. They prescribed medicines for skin rashes and patches on faces, cough and cold, vaginal rashes and they also gave de-worming and iron tables to all girls. Doctors also noted specific medicines, to be distributed later as they were unavailable at that time. The little ones spoke openly about their problems and were quite friendly with the doctors while discussing them.
Representative from the Mankind Phrama, Hem Raj Sharma too was present who provided free samples for this good cause. Medicines like povidone, iodine ointment, Nuforce, Intiwash, iron tabs, and antibiotics were provided by them.
Dr Gandhi expressed great satisfaction and happiness over the days’ events and looked forward to such active interaction with kids at various levels. She said, “It have had the privilege and an honour to be associated with this institute since 1964, when I was first deputed here as an In-charge. Since then lots of changes have taken in this place and we try our best to give these girls a normal life. Until 2004 all the girls were taught in the Ashram only, but 2005 onwards these girls are now being sent to the Government School in Durgapur”. She further added that we run the Ashram on Gandhian Principles and the girls are taught to do all their work by themselves. The staff and caretakers present here too follow the same rules and no differentiation is done at any level. It gives us immense pleasure to hear about our children doing so well in the society and working in reputable positions.
The day ended on a pleasant note, with singing and dancing with the girls, lunch time with kids and those present, which was sponsored by PP Pankaj Dadwal.
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