Udupi: Ten Years of Dedicated Humanitarian Service by Rotarians of Rotary Shankerpura

By Rtn. Jerome Rodrigues
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 03 Mar 2014: The Rotary Club and the Rotary Trust of Shankerpura created history by organising 120th un-interrupted Free Monthly Psychiatric Camp on 02 March 2014 in their premises at Rotary Centenary Bhavan. It is a decade of dedicated service by the Rotarian of this club to the mankind. The occasion was marked by a solemn inaugural function at 10.30am. The chief guests on this occasion was Honourable Minister for Urban Development & Udupi District In-Charge Sri Vinay Kumar Sorake and Dr. N.B.Vijaya Ballal, Dharmadarshi Sri Janardana and Mahakali Temple, Ambalapdy, and also attended by other distinguished guest, Rotarian and people who had avail counselling and benefited from these camps.

 

 

Rtn. Dr. Edward Lobo, Secretary of the Rotary Trust, Shankerpura in his introductory address traced the origin and progress made by the Free Psychiatric camps at Rotary Shankerpura. It all started when well-known Psychiatrist of Udupi Dr. P.V.Bhandary who was then the Head of the Psychiatric Department of Government Hospital Udupi, where large number of psychiatric patients used to converge at the Hospital. Realizing the need of the under-privileged psychiatric patients of the vicinity, Rotary Club of Shankerpura embarked on a mission to conduct Free Monthly Psychiatric Camps at its premises Rotary Centenary Bhavan. Thus the first camp was put to shape in April 2004 with dedicated free voluntary service from Dr. P.V.Bhandary. 

 

 

With more than 320 recorded cases at present, around 150 patients take benefit free consultation, counselling and medicine from these camps every month which is being conducted on every 1st Sunday of the month. To cope with this daunting task Psychiatrist Dr. Srinivas Bhat joined Dr. P.V.Bhandary. The team consists of other than two Psychiatrists, a medical counsellor, three Pharmacists, number of Rotarians and Inner Wheel members render their service for this noble cause.

The camps are being conducted with the financial support from Philanthropists, well-wishers and also contributions from Rotarians.  Since the numbers of patients are on the raise every month, it is a huge financial burden on the club. Ceaseless efforts have been made by the club to generate funds and stay afloat this noble project for the benefit of marginalized people of the society.

 

 

The 120th Free Psychiatric camp was formally inaugurated by lighting the lamp by chief guest Dr. N.B.Vijaya Ballal. In his brief address Dr. Ballal traced the importance of health and said it is not merely absence of decease but also physical, mental well-being of the people. 

He lauded the good work done by the Rotarian of Shankerpura and the people associated with this noble work.

 

 

The chief guest Honourable Minister for Urban Development Sri. Vinaya Kumar Sorake expressed his happiness being present at the landmark and congratulated all the Rotarians for achieving this great milestone and gave the assurance of support. He greatly appreciated the sustained work done by two eminent Psychiatrist doctors Dr. P.V. Bandary who has been associated with camp since its inception and Dr. Srinivas Bhat.

 

 

Dr. P.V.Bhandary the Medical Director of A.V.Baliga Memorial Hospital, Udupi, appreciated the good work done by the Rotarians. He emphasized the importance of treatment to psychiatric patients and appeal not to neglect them. He instructed all patients to take medicines regularly and follow the advice of the doctors. He thanked associate doctors especially Dr. Srinivas Bhat of Innanje for his support.

 

 

Assistant Governor Rtn. Madhava Suvarna, congratulated the Rotarians for their great achievement. The 120th camp was sponsored by Pappa Amma Chaya, Subhasnagara in memory of Thomani and Appie T.Suvarna was represented by their daughter Ms. Manjula Nataraj. Speaking on this occasion Ms. Manjula appreciated the good job done by the Rotarian to alleviate the suffering of poor. Rtr. Gladson Kundar, President Rotract Club Subhasnagara was present.

 

 

The donors and all the members associated with the Free Monthly Psychiatric Camps were felicitated and mementos were presented by the chief guest Honourable Minister Sri. Vinaya Kumar Sorake.

 

 

The entire program was compeered by Run. Nandan Kumar and Rtn. John Lobo. Prayer was recited by Rtn. Anil D’Sa. Rtn. Denzil Castelino, President of the Rotary Club welcomed the guest. Secretary Rtn. Francis D’sa proposed vote of thanks.