By Sudarshan Dahatonde Health is the fundamental requirement for the social, mental, and physical development of individuals. A healthy society fosters better growth and a clear vision for the nation. To achieve good health, cleanliness is essential, which is the primary objective of the “Health & Cleanliness Awareness Drive.”
The Swachhandi team visits various villages and towns to educate people about cleanliness and health-related matters. The aim is to help people maintain complete cleanliness for themselves, their families, and their surroundings. Additionally, the drive emphasizes the importance of proper diet, vaccination, and awareness of various communicable and non-communicable diseases, such as Typhoid, Tuberculosis, Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, and Swine Flu.
The awareness drive employs multiple engaging methods to effectively communicate these vital messages:
Drama
Documentary
Street Plays
Skits
Face-to-Face Interactions
Lectures
Distribution of Brochures, Leaflets, and Pamphlets
To achieve complete awareness, the drive also focuses on eradicating addictions such as alcohol, tobacco chewing, and smoking. Proper knowledge about drugs and their rational use is provided to patients through interactions with pharmacists.
With the help of The Social Medicine Department, free check-ups and medicines are provided to people based on their needs and requirements, irrespective of the disease.
By addressing these critical health and cleanliness issues, SYF aims to build a healthier, more informed society, paving the way for a brighter future.
By Sudarshan Dahatonde Despite the increase in literacy rates, the mentality towards a girl child as a burden for parents still persists. To change this mindset, Swachhandi Youth Foundation (SYF) has initiated several activities aimed at raising awareness and promoting gender equality.
Street Plays:
SYF presents street plays in rural and urban communities as well as higher educational hubs. These plays convey powerful messages about the value of a girl child, challenging societal norms and prejudices.
Interaction Sessions:
As part of the awareness program, interaction sessions are arranged where people have the opportunity to clear their mindsets and doubts. These sessions involve counseling with experts like gynecologists and successful women who have thrived despite adverse conditions.
Awareness Rallies:
Female infanticide awareness rallies are organized, which have a significant impact on the public. These rallies highlight the importance of valuing and protecting girl children, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.
By engaging with communities through these initiatives, SYF is working to transform attitudes and ensure that the girl child is seen as a blessing rather than a burden.
By Sudarshan Dahatonde Over the past few decades, while science and technology have advanced in treating health issues like heart, kidney, and liver failure through organ transplants, a fully proven solution for cancer remains elusive.
In recent years, cancer has affected millions of people, from tribal areas to highly developed metropolitan cities, regardless of age, sex, caste, or religion. Factors like alcoholism, tobacco chewing, smoking, and irrational drug use contribute to various forms of cancer, including blood cancer, chest cancer, bone cancer, oral cancer, and lung cancer. Unfortunately, recovery for cancer patients remains challenging.
For the past five years, Swachhandi Youth Foundation (SYF) has been dedicated to raising awareness about cancer among rural and urban populations through their “Cancer Awareness Drive.” This initiative has reached more than 2000 - 2500 people, educating them about the disease and its prevention.
SYF employs a variety of engaging methods to ensure people understand cancer comprehensively and easily, such as:
Stage Shows
Street Plays
Face-to-Face Interactions
PowerPoint Presentations
Lectures
Leaflets and Informative Books from Government Authorities
By utilizing these diverse approaches, SYF effectively communicates crucial information about cancer prevention and awareness, aiming to reduce the incidence and impact of the disease.
Through these efforts, Swachhandi strives to make a significant impact on public health and safety, embodying their commitment to a healthier and more informed society.
By Sudarshan Dahatonde In the 21st century, where technology and science work hand in hand to transform impossibilities into opportunities, some challenges remain unresolved, such as AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).
Over the last few decades, AIDS has affected millions of people from tribal areas to highly developed metropolitan cities, regardless of age, sex, caste, creed, or religion. It is often caused by simple human ignorance, such as unprotected sex, multiple uses of syringes, infected blood transfusions, and transmission from pregnant women to their children.
For the past six years, Swachhandi Youth Foundation (SYF) has been dedicated to raising awareness about AIDS among rural and urban populations through their “kNOw AIDS Drive.” This initiative has reached more than 13,500 - 14,000 people, educating them about the disease.
SYF employs various engaging methods to ensure people understand AIDS comprehensively and easily, such as:
Stage Shows
Street Plays
Face-to-Face Interactions
PowerPoint Presentations
Lectures
Leaflets and Informative Books from Government Authorities
By utilizing these diverse approaches, SYF effectively communicates crucial information about AIDS prevention and awareness, aiming to reduce the stigma and spread of the disease.
Through these efforts, Swachhandi strives to make a significant impact on public health and safety, embodying their commitment to a healthier and more informed society.
By Sudarshan Dahatonde "The eye is the window to the world; at the same time, it is the window of the soul." - William Shakespeare
On 14th February 2006, 25 members of Swachhandi Youth Foundation (SYF) celebrated Valentine’s Day in a unique and impactful way by pledging their eyes for donation through the “Eyes for Nation” program. Under the leadership and guidance of Mr. Sudarshan Dahatonde (Member of Student Council), they showed their love and gratitude towards society at the institutional premises of Padmashri Dr. Vithalrao Vikhe Patil College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Loni (Pravaranagar).
The event culminated with the submission of their fully completed forms to the Ophthalmology Department of Pravara Rural Medical Trust, Loni, in the presence of Hon’ble Shri. Rajendra Patil Vikhe - Trustee & Secretary of Pravara Rural Medical Trust, Loni.
Since then, Swachhandi has consistently organized Eyes for Nation camps on Valentine’s Day. To date, Swachhandi has registered over 2500 eye donors from 18 different states across India and various districts of Maharashtra, with donors ranging in age from 9 to 99 years. These 2500 eye donors have the potential to light up the lives of 5000 blind individuals. Volunteers of the Eyes for Nation program are known as Swachhandi Drishti Mitras.
Aim: To spread the importance and awareness of eye donation in society.
Objective: To create awareness and coordination between society and eye banks.
Mission: To provide high-quality eye care to the affected population.
Scope: To enhance the participation of the Indian population in the eye donation program.
Eye Banking Coordination: Collaborating with NGOs.
Village Blind Register: Preparing registers of visually impaired individuals in villages.
Eye Screening Programs: Conducting eye screening programs in schools and villages.
"Be A Drishti Mitra, Become Swachhandi…!"
This initiative not only honors the memories of those who have pledged their eyes but also brings light and hope to those in need, embodying the true spirit of love and compassion.