Thalassemia Awareness & Blood Testing Project – District 3131

One simple blood test can save generations. Thalassemia awareness is not just knowledge….it is protection for the future, and Rotary is carrying this message to youth.

Thalassemia Major is a serious blood disorder requiring lifelong transfusions, leading to severe weakness, growth issues, and organ damage. 

Thalassemia Minor is a silent carrier state; harmless alone, but critical when both parents are carriers, with a 25% risk of an affected child. Awareness is prevention.

It is pertinent that every individual knows whether he or she is a silent carrier 

Rotary Club of Pune Bavdhan Elite, 

with Rotary Club of Pune Hadapsar as host, conducted two impactful awareness drives:

(First Drive: 17.9.25 at MOZE College of Engineering, Baner—

250 students attended the awareness session; 150 underwent blood testing.)

(Second Drive: 27.2.2026 at Raisoni College of Engineering, Wagholi, Pune—

275 students attended the awareness session; 145 underwent blood testing.)

The individual test reports were sent to students on their mobile phones, and those who tested positive were called for counselling.

A true Rotary punya karma—spreading awareness about thalassemia, guiding youth on next steps if tested positive, and contributing to a healthier tomorrow

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WORKING IN ROTARY HEALS YOUR SOUL

On Sunday, 29 March 2026, the Rotary Club of Pune Bavdhan Elite extended support to an Gurukulam Ashram School in Chinchwad through the donation of 20 bunk beds, thereby enabling 40 children to move from sleeping on the floor to the simple dignity of a bed.

These children belong to the Pardhi Samaj (पारधी समाज) and come from very difficult living conditions, very different from what most of us see in our daily life.

During our visit, we could see their small world more closely. It was simple, but full of effort and strength. The children go to school, learn, and continue their day with a quiet courage that is deeply moving.

It was a holiday at the school, but the campus was still active. Soap and toothbrush distribution was going on, along with haircuts for the younger children. These small activities showed how even basic care makes a big difference in their lives.

The children are between 5 to 16 years of age. Speaking with the teachers made us realize the real challenges they face every day. It stayed with us long after we left.

This is a small beginning, but a very meaningful one, and a step towards doing more for them in the future.

WORKING IN ROTARY HEALS YOUR SOUL

 
NAME OF THE BENEFICIARY INSTITUTION : 

पुनरुत्थान समरसता गुरुकुलम :- Chinchwad 

Headed by  Padmashri Shri Girish Prabhune sir 

Cost of the Project : ₹1,70,000/ 

Number of Bunk Beds : 20 

Beneficiary students  : 40

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Mega eye check-up camps in the slum areas -

Cost of the project to us was zero ( Last year we had given HV Desai hospital a CSR OF 1 crore 62 Lacs ,the goodwill persists) 

The Rotary Club of Pune Bavdhan Elite, in association with HV Desai Hospital, conducted four mega eye check-up camps in the slum areas of Sinhagad Road, including two camps at Janta Vasahat, one at Dattawadi, and one on Main Sinhagad Road.

Camp Dates:
15.11.2025
30.11.2025
14.12.2025
21.12.2025

The response from the community was truly overwhelming, with more than 1,050 people attending the camps. With the active support of local leaders, our initiative could reach the deepest layers of society where such medical support is genuinely needed.

The patients were mainly identified under four categories:

Reading Glasses Patients

Myopic Patients

Cataract Patients

General Eye Problem Patients

Around 700 reading glasses were distributed free of cost to deserving beneficiaries.

Myopic patients were referred to the Warje Centre for detailed examination, as the specialised eye-testing machines could not be shifted to the camp venues. They later received spectacles at highly subsidised rates.

Around 150 cataract surgeries were successfully carried out at HV Desai Hospital, Hadapsar. The hospital generously provided complete care including surgery, medicines, food, stay, and transportation for the patients.

These camps created strong Rotary visibility and excellent branding in the slum communities of Sinhagad Road, building trust and awareness in a very meaningful way. 

RCP Bavdhan Elite takes immense pride in this effort that touched so many lives and made a real difference on the ground. 

Rtn Aparna Mahajan

President 2025-26

RCP Bavdhan Elite