Our Beloved Parijnanashram Swamiji had a long cherished dream of starting a hospital for the poor and downtrodden population of Karla and its many surrounding villages. Parijnan Parivar sevaks (volunteers) had made a beginning in 1995, by starting a Medical center (Clinic) in one room at the Arogyadham in the premises of Karla Math under the auspices of Shree Trust.  

We found an able and willing ally in Dr. Jain. In-spite of his busy schedule and number of social commitments he used to attend the clinic thrice weekly, and specialty clinics were run every Wednesday by the Talegoan general hospital. Poor villagers were given free check-up and medicines. The clinic got a very good response. It brought smiles and cheer to all the villagers and that was our ‘income’. 

Under unfortunate circumstances in 2005/6, the Parivar’s dedicated sevaks, who had toiled to make the clinic successful along with many other good things at Karla Math, were asked to leave. From then on, the clinic got neglected for want of volunteers and also Dr. Jain’s inability to devote much time to the clinic due to his more demanding other social activities. Though Dr. Jain was doing his best, it was not enough to keep the clinic going as before. No other group of volunteers from the entire bhanap community found time to carry on this noble activity.  

Dr. Uday Andar, who had played a major role in setting up the clinic, used to feel sorry on seeing the dilapidated condition of the clinic whenever he visited Karla, over the last FOUR years. His conscience started pricking him for not doing anything to revive the clinic which was started in the name of our beloved Swamiji.  Dr. Uday ignored the inner call due to the ‘not so healthy’ developments at Karla. Parivar was happy carrying on all its activities at Gurushakti, Dahivali or elsewhere. It did not discontinue any of its activities for the want of either space or manpower or for that matter ‘finance’. We always believed in Swamiji’s vachan “Satya Sankalpachaa Daata Narayan”. 

Finally after FOUR long years when no other doctors or volunteer group showed any interest, Dr. Uday gave in to his inner voice and resolved to take the initiative to revive the clinic at Karla. He consulted other Parivaris and got wholehearted support from all the Parivaris since his resolve was ‘Satya Sankalp’. At the same time, donors came forward with spontaneous donations for the improvement of the clinic. Dr. Uday made it very clear that we should have nothing to do with the politics which is rampant in Karla at present. We have to only see that Swamiji’s clinic does well to cater to the medical needs of poor villagers in and around Karla. Dr. Uday will personally visit the clinic on Saturday and Sunday. Dr. Jain is visiting on Tuesdays and Fridays. Dr. Uday will rope in some more doctors from our community and outside to man the clinic on other days and even on weekends. He is also planning to have the tie up with some hospital like we had with Talegaon General Hospital earlier. We are sure that Swamiji will as usual shower His blessings on us to make this revival a grand success.

 

-Shashi Balse