Udupi: Rotary Club of Shankerpura organizes 100th Monthly Free Psychiatric Camp

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Shankerpura, 01 Jul 2012: Rotary Club and Rotary Trust of Shankerpura  created a record by organizing the 100th Monthly Free Psychiatric Camp at Rotary Bhavan on Sunday, July 1, 2012. The occasion was marked by a solemn inaugural function  at 9.45 am that was attended by distinguished guests, Rotarians and the people who had benefitted from the monthly free camps and those availing counseling at the camp.

 

Rtn. Dr. Edward Lobo, Secretary of the Rotary Trust in his introductory address traced the origin and progress of the Monthly Free Psychiatric Camp at Shankerpura. He said that the camps were started a t a time when Rotary International was celebrating its centenary  in 2004 and Rotary Club, Shankerpura of Zone III, RI District 3180, embarked on a pilot project of conducting free psychiatric camp. Dr. P.V. Bhandary who was then the head of the department of psychiatry, the government district hospital in Udupi was in the forefront of these camps. Dr. Bhandary wanted to start the camp in rural area and Rotary Bhavan, Shankerpura was selected as an ideal location for this purpose.

 

The first camp that started in the month of April 2004 attracted 20 patients. More patients began to come for counseling and treatment as the popularity of the camps began to spread in other areas. As the demand increased there was need for additional hands and other doctors-Dr. Srinivas Bhat, Dr. Rohan Mendonca and Dr. Vasudev rendered their service at different times in the camps. Counselling and free medicines for a moth are given to the patients. Initially the Rotarians sponsored the camps but later sponsors came forward from UAE, USA and other places to support these camps.

 

After brief  introduction of Rev. Fr. Dr. Leslie D’Souza, Parish Priest of St. John the Evangelist Church, Shankerpura and the Chief Guest, Rtn. Dr. K. Ravi Appaji, Madikeri, Former District Governor by Rtn. Mark Vaz, Dr. K. Ravi Appaji  formally inaugurated the 100th Monthly Free Psychiatric Camp by lighting the lamp.

 

 

In his Ashirvachana, Rev. Dr. Leslie D’Souza, quoting the definition of health by the World Health Organization (WHO) said that Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. He lauded the good work that is being done by the Rotarians of Shankerpura and prayed for God’s blessings on all the people who have been associated with this noble work.

 

In his address, the Chief Guest  Rtn. Dr. K. Ravi Appaji  expressed happiness for being  present at the landmark 100th Monthly Free Psychiatric Camp and congratulated all the Rotarians for achieving this great milestone.  He greatly appreciated the sustained work done by the doctors, especially Dr. P.V. Bhandary who has been associated with this camp since its inception.

 

Mrs. Florine Rodrigues, Manorama Kodugudde and Elias Mendonca of Bantakal who had benefitted greatly from these camps expressed their feelings on this occasion. Elias Mendonca narrating his alcoholic background said that it was Dr. Bahandary who helped him to kick the habit. In emotion-filled voice, Elias Mendonca said that he has not see God, but for him Dr. Bhandary has been a ‘visible god’ who had come to his rescue and helped him to be a normal human being.

 

Dr. P.V. Bhandary, the Medical Director of A.V. Baliga Memorial Hospital, Udupi tracing his association with the monthly free psychiatric camp at Shankerpura said that while he was associated with such camp at Brahmavara, it was B. Anantram Bhat and Dr. H. Ashok who was the Health Officer at the Primary health Centre at Shankerpura persuaded him to associate himself with the camp organized by the Rotarians of Shankerpura. He made an appeal to the patients to take medicine regularly and follow the advice of the doctors.  He thanked all his associate doctors including Dr. Srinivas Bhat of Innanje and sisters who have been assisting in conducting the monthly camps.

 

Zonal Representative Rtn. Vincent V. Saldanha and Rotary District Deputy Governor Rtn. P. Manohar Rao, Kaup also speaking at this occasion congratulated the Rotarians of Shankerpura for their great achievement in conducting the monthly free  psychiatric camps and reaching the magic figure of 100.

 

Rtn. B. Anantaram Bhat, who has been responsible for the starting of the Monthly Free Psychiatric Camp at Shankerpura was honoured by the Chief Guest Rtn Dr. K. Ravi Appaji by garlanding him and presenting him memento.

 

The donors of the Monthly Free Psychiatric Camps and Rotarians were felicitated by presenting them mementos by  the Chief Guest-Dr. K. Ravi Appaji,  Rev. Dr. Leslie D’Souzaand Dr. P.V. Bhandary as Rtn. Edward Mendonca read out the names.

 

The entire programme was compeered by Rtn. B, Anantarama Bhat and Rtn. John Lobo. Prayer was recited by Rtn. Anantram Bhat, Rtn. Henry Castelino, the present President of the Rotary Club and Rotary Trust  welcomed the guests and Rotary Secretary Rtn. Antony D’Sa proposed the vote of thanks.