Journey of progress – Prominent Milestones
Initial Period
2000 – Mr. Sharadchandra Patwardhan distributed pamphlets about Parkinson’s disease in the blood donation camp held in his Society.
9th October 2000 – Mr. Avinash Thombre of Times of India saw the pamphlet, contacted him and wrote an article and an appeal in the Times.
22nd October 2000 – A meeting of people enquiring after reading the article was held at Mr. Sharadchandra Patwardhan’s house. This was the establishment of Parkinson’s Patient Mitramandal. For next few months meetings were held at the same venue.
2000 – There were discussions organized by Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital on Parkinson’s disease at the hospital. Mr. Madhusudan Shende proposed that a group similar to American Support Group should be formed. Mr. Patwardhan and his friend Mr. Shende started working together. They held 9/10 such meetings at homes, gardens and schools.
31st January 2003 to 25th May 2004 – Monthly meetings held at Deenanath Hospital.
12th February 2004 – Meeting was held at Wadeshwar Hotel with Dr. Rahul Kulkarni and Dr. Chitre.
September / October 2006 – Distributed pamphlets to senior citizen groups stating establishment of Parkinson’s Support Group. A few people from this volunteered to help.
2007 – Mr. Patwardhan and Nr. Shende participated in a group of multiple support groups “सेतू”. Parkinson Support Group became member of “सेतू ”
10th April 2008 – A get together was arranged with cooperation of Deenanath Hospital where about 300 people attended. Neurologist Dr. Rahul Kulkarni, nutritionist Dr. Malavika Karkare, physiotherapist Dr. Archana Phansalkar, speech therapist Dr. Lehnaz Umrigar spoke.
June 2008 – From those who attended the meeting at Deenanath Hospital, group wise meeting was held at Poona Hospital. Many volunteers joined us and this improved our scope of working. Area wise groups – Pune City, Sahakar Nagar, Deccan, Aundh, Sinhgad Road, Kothrud, A & B groups were formed. Their group leaders and volunteers were decided. Taking into consideration the number of attendees, Sahakar Nagar, Kothrud and City continued to exist.
Work started as “Parkinson’s Mitramandal”
July 2008 – Plans made, keeping in mind the goals, accordingly meetings and other activities started under the name “Parkinson’s Mitramandal”. Various activities like lectures, sharing of experiences by members, workshops were held. With experience it was realized that central location would be more suitable for all, so meetings were held at Ashwini Lodge, Navi Peth.
2008 – Dance therapy sessions for patients and care givers started on every Friday under the aegis of “Nrityaprerana” headed by famous Bharatnatyam dance guru Ms Suchitra Date.
11th April 2009 – Get together was held at Kesriwada on the occasion of World Parkinson’s Day. The famous actor Ms Lalan Sarang was the chief guest. Lecture of neurologist Mr. Pradeep Diwte, psychiatrist Dr. Ulhas Luktuke spoke on this occasion.
2009 – Participated in a health exhibition organized by Sakal in collaboration with ‘Setu”. Mr. Sharadchandra Patwardhan wrote an article in the Sakal supplement’s “Family Doctor’. As members of participating group Shubharthi (Patient) Mr. Anil Kulkarni and Dr. Kothari were interviewed by Ms Vinaya Mehandale on Doordarshan.
2009 – On occasion of silver jubilee year, Poona Hospital offered their well equipped auditorium once a month for one year.
11th July 2009 – Data collection of information of members was undertaken.
30th Sept. 2009 – An exploratory trip of office bearers was organized to Panshet and Varasgaon to assess the capacity of the members to undertake it.
8th November 2009 – The 1st half day trip was taken to Mr. Anil Kulkarni’s farm house on Sus Baner Road.
11th April 2010 – On the occasion of World Parkinson’s Day a get together was held at Lokmanya Sabhagruh, Kesriwada. Dr. Anil Avachat was the chief guest. First magazine was published. A display of the art activities done by Shubharthis was held.
2010 – Zubeen Balsara and Kavita Nair experimented with art based therapy twice a week. It started with drum therapy. The experiment lasted for 4 months.
July 2010 – A visit was arranged to Khadiwale Vaidya Medicine manufacturing factory.
10th August 2010 – Hrishikesh Pawar started dance therapy in collaboration with Sancheti Hospital.
October 2010 – Meetings at Lokmanya Hospital, Chinchwad started. 3 consecutive meetings were held for 3 months. On the occasion of Senior Citizens Day, a special meeting was held with Mr. Pier Wallis. He explained about Parkinson related services available in England. Due to low attendance Chinchwad sub group was discontinued.
April 2011 – Psychiatrist Dr. Ulhas Luktuke, the chief guest, addressed the gathering on the occasion of World Parkinson’s Day at Lokmanya auditorium, Kesariwada. Publication of magazine was done.
8th May 2011 – Meetings began to be held on last Sunday of every month at Nanda Deep Hospital, this being the 1st meeting.
June 2011 – Hrishikesh Pawar’s dance therapy classes began to be held at Shubharthi Mr. Arun Jog’s house.
June 2011 – Free eye check-up camp was organized at eye surgeon Dr. Tekawade’s clinic.
11th Sept. 2011 – National level neurological conference was held at B. J. Medical College. Evening session was open to all. Members of the Mandal participated in this session.
2011 – American Parkinson’s Disease Association (APDA) gave permission to translate books on Parkinson’s to be translated into Marathi.
2011 – A trip was taken to Dr. Vivek Limaye’s farm house.
April 2012 – On the occasion of World Parkinson’s Day a get together was held at Lokmanya Sabhagruh, Kesriwada with Dr. H. V. Desai as chief guest. Magazine was published. From the donation given by US based Ms Sudha Kulkarni, book titled “आहार कोणता व किती” translated by Mr. Ramchandra Karmarkar was published.
19th May 2012 – Cipla Centre organized a workshop for caregivers.
30th August 2012 – Physiotherapy doctors of D. Y. Patil College organized a camp. Group wise exercises were taught on last Thursday of every month.
2nd January to 9th January 2013 – Trip organized to Anandvan, Hemalkasa, Somnath and Tadoba.
19th January 2013 – Presentation of Origami by Dr. Anil Avachat.
4th February 2013 – A trip to Bagul Garden, Pune.
April 2013 – American Parkinson’s disease Association presented certificate of appreciation to Mr. & Mrs. Shende for their efforts regarding Parkinson’s disease related work.
April 2013 – On the occasion of World Parkinson’s Day a get together was held at Lokmanya Sabhagruh, Kesriwada where a talk was delivered by psychiatrist Dr. Sanjay Watve. Dance by Shubharthis and publication of magazine.
14th April 2013 – A skit “Snehbandha” written by Dr. Shobhana Tirthali based on work done by Parkinson’s Mitramandal was broadcast on Akashwani, Pune.
May 2013 – Publication of book “पार्किन्सनशी मैत्रीपूर्ण लढत” written by Mr. Shekhar Barve was published by Dr. Pradeep Divate, neurologist. Dr. Maya Tulpule was the chief guest.
17th November 2013 – Once again a half day trip to Dr. Anil Kulkarni’s farm house on Sus Baner Road was organized.
9th February 2014 – “डॉक्टर अनिता अवचट स्मृती संघर्ष पुरस्कार” was awarded to Parkinson’s Mitramandal by Muktangan De-addiction Centre. Creating awareness through social media started.
March 2014 – Mr. Atul Thakur created web site for Parkinson’s Mitramandal.
April 2014 – On the occasion of World Parkinson’s Day a get together was held at Lokmanya Sabhagruh, Kesriwada where a talk was delivered by neurosurgeon Dr. Sunil Pandya. Dance by Shubharthis and publication of magazine.
July 2014 – First issue of bulletin “Sanchar” was published, which comes out in July, October and January.
August 2014 – Parkinson’s Mitramandal community started on Face Book.
12, 13, 14, September 2014 – Participated in an exhibition “देणे समाजाचे” organized by Artistry Association.
14th September 2014 – “Dance for Parkinson’s”, a film by Mr. Hrishikesh Pawar was unveiled by Dr. Kantilal Sancheti. Participating Shubharthis shared their experiences.
11th December 2014 – A trip to Sun World, Khanapur was organized.
April 2015 – On the occasion of World Parkinson’s Day a get together was held at Lokmanya Sabhagruh, Kesriwada where a talk was delivered by Dr. Arvind Phadke. Dance and display of art activities by Shubharthis and publication of magazine.
12th July 2015 – A lecture by neurologist Dr. Rahul Kulkarni who shared latest information about Parkinson’s disease. A tribute was paid to the founder member of Parkinson Mitramandal, Mr. Madhusudan Shende.
10th September 2015 – “मित्रा पार्किन्सना”, an e book written and compiled by Dr. Shobhana Tirthali, published by e Pratishthan was launched by Mr. Sharadchandra Patwardhan.
9,10,11 October 2015 – Participated in an exhibition “देणे समाजाचे” organized by Artistry Association.
29th October 2015 – A prize distribution function in various subjects was organized by “महाराष्ट्र ग्रंथोत्तेजक सभा”. A book written by committee member and Shubharthi Shekhar Barve “पार्किन्सनशी मैत्रीपूर्ण लढत” was given an award under health section by well known journalist Mr. Kiran Thakur.
22nd November 2015 – WhatsApp group PMMP GAPPA was formed.
10th December 2015 – For the first time a full day picnic was organized from Pune to Phulgaon, 30 kms away, to “Investment in Man” Trust and Samadhi of Sambhaji Maharaj at Tulapur.
12th January 2016 – A lecture by neurologist Dr. Mandar Jog from Canada was organized jointly by Deenanath Hospital and Parkinson’s Mitramandal.
11th February 2016 – Parkinson’s Mitramandal participated in a seminar on “End of life care” organized by Bharti Hospital and Research Centre.
3rd March 2016 – Sailani family, Mr. Arvind Kashinath Bhagwat and his associates from Sanghvi, felicitated Mitramandal for its social commitment and gave a donation of Rs 11,111/- in memory of their Guru Sailani’s birthday.
17th April 2016 – On the occasion of World Parkinson’s Day a get together was held at Lokmanya Sabhagruh, Kesriwada where a talk was delivered by psychiatrist Dr. Vidyadhar Watve. Dance performance and display of art activities by Shubharthis and publication of magazine.
June 2016 – A project was undertaken by the girl students of Cummins Engineering College, in collaboration with Mitramandal, to prepare an App to measure tremor.
1st September 2016 – A workshop was organized by neuro physiotherapist Neha Singh and her colleagues of APJ Abdul Kalam College of Physiotherapy, Pravara Medical Trust, Loni.
18th November 2016 – a full day trip to Shantivan was organized.
9th April 2017 – On the occasion of World Parkinson’s Day a get together was held at Lokmanya Sabhagruh, Kesriwada where a talk was delivered by neurologist Dr. Rajas Deshpande. Dance performance and display of art activities by Shubharthis and publication of magazine. Establishment of “Parkinson’s Mitramandal” trust.
Formation of – Parkinson’s Mitramandal Trust
16th September 2017 – Trust by the name of “Parkinson’s Mitramandal” started functioning.
12th October 2017 – WhatsApp group by the name “Parkinson;s Info and Sharing” was formed.
October 2017 – Mr. Sharadchandra Patwardhan distributed small MP3 players to bedridden Shubharthis for music therapy.
1st November 2017 – a full day trip to Abhiruchi Farm was organized.
11th Dec 2017 – Monthly meetings began to be held at Narmada Hall, Prabhat Road on 2nd Monday of every month.
9th April 2018 – On the occasion of World Parkinson’s Day a get together was held at S.M. Joshi Sabhagruh, where a talk was delivered by psychiatrist Dr. Ulhas Luktuke. Dance performance and display of art activities by Shubharthis and publication of magazine.
23rd April, 28th May & 25th June 2018 – Meetings held at Pune branch of Thane’s well known IPH Mental Health organization.
1st November 2018 – Trip to Ghadge Farm House.
13th April 2019 – On the occasion of World Parkinson’s Day a get together was held at S.M. Joshi Sabhagruh, where a talk was delivered by psychiatrist Dr. Charulata Sankhla. Dance performance and display of art activities by Shubharthis and publication of magazine.
26th November 2019 – Trip to Manali Resort and Agro Tourism Centre, Naigaon.
9th January 2020 – Donation of Rs 20,000 from Natu Trust for work done for betterment of the Society.
Corona Lockdown period
4th April 2020 – Planned World Parkinson’s Day activities could not be conducted due to lockdown on account of Corona pandemic.
8th April 2020 – Dr. Atul Thakur suggested video conferencing as an alternative since monthly meetings could not be held. Thus it was decided to hold lectures and sharing of experiences meetings on every 2nd Monday of the month. 1st trial meeting was held.
April 2020 – Mr. Hrishikesh Pawar’s online dance classes started.
13th July 2020 – Online talk and publication of magazine by Dr. Avinash Bhondve, President of IMA.
2nd November 2020 – An initiative “भेटू आनंदे”, informal meetings of Shubhankars (caregivers) and Shubharthis via video conferencing started.
12th January 2021 – Donations received by Parkinson’s Mitramandal became eligible for rebate under section 80G under Income Tax Act. 1961.