Rotary Baner inaugurates the Rotary World’s first ever Global Grant Project for Epilepsy
The Rotary Club of Pune Baner inaugurated the Rotary world’s first ever Epilepsy Surgeries Global Grant Project, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Muar, Malaysia, (Rotary Dist. Singapore), on December 12, 2025, at the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital and Research Centre, Pune. This valuable project was inaugurated at the hands of Rtn. Santosh Marathe, District Governor, Rotary District 3131. The project aims to carry out 40 free surgeries for the patients of drug resistant epilepsy.
Sharing information about the project, Rtn. Priiya Karia, President, RCP Baner said, “Our Rotary club has been awarded a Global Grant for the first time and we have worked hard towards achieving this. We are thankful to DG Rtn. Santosh Marathe and Dist. Director, Global Grants, Dr. Tanuja Marathe, who were instrumental in guiding us to get this grant. We also thank, our international partner club, Rotary Club of Muar, Malaysia, for joining us in this special Global Grant, which is to the tune of US $ 58,000. We have received CSR donations from local partners too for this cause. Our club will utilize these funds for carrying out 40 surgeries of epilepsy, which will be free for the needy. The surgeries will be done by Dr. Nilesh Kurwale, founder and clinical coordinator for high volume epilepsy surgery program at Bajaj Allianz Center for Epilepsy, at the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital ”.
Further speaking about the GG project, Rtn. Priiya said, “Rotary Club of Pune Baner, is the first among thousands of clubs in 200 countries to support the cause of epilepsy surgeries. It is for the first time in the world that a dedicated grant for this is now live.”
Speaking about the mission of Rotary, Rtn. Santosh Marathe, DG, said, “The work of Rotary is spread across seven Focus areas. Out of this, Disease Prevention and Treatment is a core area of work. This project will now bring a new lease of life to needy epilepsy patients”. Throwing light on the importance of Rotary Global Grants, which are given by Rotary International, Rtn. Dr. Tanuja Marathe, Dist. Dir. GG, Rotary Dist. 3131 said, “Across the globe, the Rotary Global Grants fund large and sustainable medical projects (and other focus areas) with measurable results. There are various causes that are supported in the field of medicine like dialysis, heart surgery, or mobile clinics for underserved communities, paediatric surgeries etc. However, this is the first time that a GG is being allotted for epilepsy”.
Sharing experiences about the reversing effects of an epilepsy surgery, an infant patient’s father, a 30 year old youth, who was in the audience came forward and spoke. He said, “My toddler son, who is 2 years old now, used to suffer from epileptic seizures. We got him operated by Dr. Nilesh. Now, he is free from fits, leads a normal life and the doctor has promised us that he will be normal and productive for the rest of his life. We are blessed”.
Speaking about epilepsy, Dr. Nilesh Kurwale, who has successfully conducted 1100 surgeries so far said, “Epilepsy is a dreaded condition in which a patient suffers seizures or fits, multiple times in a year, a month or sometimes, even during a week. The patients for this disorder are found amidst all age groups, starting from infants. The patients need life-long medication. Also, sometimes, these cases are drug resistant. The families of these patients often go through emotional upheaval and suffer a severe economic crunch owing to the continuous expense involved. However, this condition can get reversed with surgery, and the patients can lead productive lives in the long term after the surgery. The disease gets reversed. Medical recovery apart, the surgery brings a financial relief to the patients. The society needs to reach out to these patients, who are present in large numbers everywhere. In Pune district alone, there are 60,000 patients. The mission is vast, and we need to cover a lot of ground. Rotary is a huge social engine. It creates awareness about improving the lives of people. And I welcome the move to bring in this Global Grant. It is a good beginning in a new direction. Financial help is precious and thus the Global Grant Project holds value.”
The GG inauguration program was coordinated by Ms. Neelam of Deenanath Hospital. The event was hosted by Rtn. Surhuda Kulkarni, IT officer RCP Baner. Present on the occasion were, Club Hon. Sect. Rtn. Unmesh Risbood, PP Rtn. Dr. Jignesh Karia , PP Rtn. Sanket Saraf, PP Rtn. Shekhar Shet, and others. A vote of thanks was proposed by Ms. Yashoda, counsellor at the Deenanath Hospital.
The GG project in its inception stages: The Rotary Club of Pune Baner started its association with Dr. Nilesh Kurwale in July 2021 first, during the Presidency of PP Sanket Saraf. The club members donated funds to the cause of epilepsy surgeries from individual donations and collected CSR funds. Thereafter, the project took a great shape and funds started flowing in. The Club carried out surgeries every year. Considering the potential need for more funds for this cause, Past President. Rtn. Dr. Jignesh Karia took the project forward and made a grant application to Rotary International. His consistent efforts bore fruit. The club was granted a GG number. Another instrumental member who guided the effort was, Rtn. Unmesh Risbood. A crucial member of the project team, Rtn. Capt. Pradeep Nadkar prepared the paper work. Past President, Rtn. PP Aniruddha Joshi, too played an important role. Some members, Rtn. Rajashree Shete, Rtn. Neha Shah, helped in getting CSR funds. All this happened with the help, support and guidance from District officials like PDG Rtn. Shital Shah, Rtn. Charu Shrotri, Rtn. DG Santosh Marathe and Dr. Tanuja Marathe. The serving President, Rtn. Priiya Karia became the first president of the club to start a GG project in the club.
Two Surgeries Done: Under this GG project, the Club carried out 2 successful surgeries in the month of December 2025. The club members paid a visit to the patients and to meet them.
Also, in the month of December, the Club conducted the Nomination committee elections. An interview session with the Anns of the Club, ‘ Mann ki baat’was conducted on this occasion. Some Anns of the club spoke about their experiences in Rotary. Also, a Health food competition in which various healthy recipes were prepared and were offered as dinner at this meeting.
An Eye check-up camp was conducted at the Madhyamik Vidyapeeth High School, in SBPPU campus. This camp was conducted for the students of standard 5th to 10th in synergy with RC Central. This was a project under GG.
The year 2025 came to a grand end at RCP Baner. The Club celebrated the year end bash on December 28, at the Poona Club where all the members participated in revelry.
President Priiya Karia
Rotary Club of Pune Baner
