By Ranjit Chandel
Yavatmal : Today we find depreciation of human values everywhere. Children abandon parents, compel them to stay in old age homes. Brother is killing brother for petty issues. Graph of human values came down at its lowest. Contrary to this dismal scenario, Dr Abhijit and Dr Manisha Sonawane from Pune with their humane behaviour and dedication towards the beggars and homeless poor people have risen this graph to its amazingly high. This has given them the identity as the ‘Doctors for the Beggars.’
Beggars Doctor Born: Dr Abhijit and Manisha did their BAMS. Dr Abhijit after passing his few years of depression in profession was now working in an international company and drawing a lucrative salary. Although Dr Abhijiti was comfortably settled, the thought of the beggar Baba who boosted his morale during bad days, was chasing him relentlessly. He at once leaves for Khadakwasla to see him. However, the Baba and his wife were not there at the temple where he meets them when he was in despondency. He finds that the old man is dead. Dr Abhijit sadden by this, determines to repay his debt and vows to devote remaining life in service of beggars.
Mission Begins: Beggar Baba helped him in his bad days. Even Baba paid him money from his alms collected in his bowl. Despite this he could do nothing for him and he had to die begging. Dr Abhijit thinks that only thing left for him is to plunge into the service of beggars to correct the omission. He resigns his job for the mission.
In search of beggars: Dr Abhijit begins making rounds at temples, mosques and churches on specific day of the deity where he finds beggars waiting for help. For helping them he used to leave home every day in the morning with his bags on bike loaded with medicines. During his visit he makes inquiry of their difficulties and illnesses. Cleans their wounds, gives them medicines. If anyone of them needs surgery, he also admits him in hospital for surgery. Also gives them bath. If necessary cuts their hair and shave too. He use to carry razor etc. for this.
Beggars start believing: In the beginning they were suspecting him as police informer because they knew that begging is a crime. Now they have started believing him. Dr Abhijit’s sincerity and service matter. Gradually Dr Abhijits contacts with beggars widened. Today he is in touch with 1100 beggars around him. Day by day expenses on beggars grew. It was getting difficult to help them. He then appealed people to come forward to help. Created Soham Trust to pool help from people. In this task his wife Dr Manisha’s support was notable. She was maintaining the family and was also trying to help her husband for the cause as well, from the income she earned in profession.
Beggars to entrepreneurs: Dr Abhijit found that the root cause of beggary is dependency. Till they do not become self-reliant, problem won’t heal. Giving them jobs and enabling them to earn is essential. This will need them education and skill so he thought of a training centre. Danish Shaha, a generous business man donated a piece of land measuring 2500 sq.feet in Bibwewadi locality of Pune along with the training equipments. In the beginning the beggars were encouraged to start small businesses like tea-kiosk, selling pooja material, collecting nirmalya (offering of flowers etc. to the deity). The training centre came up and named ‘Mathya Ratricha a Surya (midnight sun)’ which started eradicating darkness in their lives providing them training and skills like drying flowers, turning them into powder and making medicinal items, perfumes etc. from it.To collect more funds, Dr Abhijit appealed to the NGOs like Rotary and Lions Clubs. This will slowly end their dependency and begging. He urges people not to give alms to them, instead give them a helping hand to make them stand.
Abijit’s Work earned for him 2500 awards till date. “However, I will be really awarded only when beggars will become self-reliant and start living a decent life”, Dr. Abhijit says.
Service is worship – Serving beggars and homeless people is worshiping Dr Abhijit believes and this anguished community is his God. Hence, he does not require to go to temples. He candidly says, “My all awards and achievements are yours who are supporting me. I am there because you all are with me.” He does not forget his wife’s support in his success and whole heartedly admits that she has lion’s share in his success.
Dr. Abhijit’s achievements at a glance:
• 285 beggars doing their own businesses.
• 52 children adopted to educate them. Some of them have now good jobs.
• 30 needy people given hearing-aids.
• 144 patients underwent major surgeries successfully.
• 2500 eye surgeries done.
• 100 beggars team formed to carry cleanliness drive in Pune who are paid remuneration from the trust.
• 2500 awards received by him. Lokmanya Tilak, Sant Gadge Baba and Mother Terresa Awards are prominent among them.
Note: Desirous persons may contact on following number for more information
Mob.9422866931.
