Bharari

One-on-One with Dr. Vikas Amte

We returned back to the office site at around 7:30 AM. Dr. Amte introduced me to his “cabinet” or “close hands” comprising of Dr. Vijay Pole (Leprologist), Mr. Ambudkar, Mr. Kavishwar, Mr. Sitakant Prabhu (Chief Guest Coordinator), Mr. Pramod Bakshi (Guest Coordinator) and Mr. Ashok Mistry (responsible for Tube Wells and Check Dams). It was the synergies of this “cabinet” that has made Anandwan into what it is today. Dr. Amte said his son, Kaustubh, will have to form his own cabinet as all his members are well into their 60s.

Part of Dr. Vikas Amte’s “Cabinet” (L to R): Dr. Pole, Mr. Ambudkar, Mr. Kavishwar and Mr. Prabhu

I enjoyed meeting Dr. Amte’s cabinet members who all left to start their day after having their morning breakfast and tea. At a time when most people are well into their retirement, Dr. Amte and his cabinet members are still going strong and still working hard every day with so much zest and passion.

Swaranandwan (Orchestra) – “Anandwan Tumchya Dwari” (Anandwan at your Doorstep)

Have you ever seen a troupe of young boys and girls dancing with perfect synchronization to a Bollywood tune? I’m sure you have – we all have; But how about with the caveat that they are all blind or deaf and mute? That’s Anandwan’s Swaranandwan musical (and magical) orchestra, which Dr. Amte calls “Therapeutic Theatre” since both, dancing and music, are therapeutic for the soul. It was started by Dr. Amte as an outlet for what he called “untapped human potential”.

Swaranandwan’s practice hall

Leprosy Hospital

We met Dr. Vikas Amte’s cousin, Dr. Vijay Pole, at Anandwan’s Leprosy Hospital. Vikas Amte says, “I see God in him”, because if it wasn’t for him he wouldn’t be able to do his scientific experiments in Anandwan. Dr. Pole, a Leprologist, gave us a tour of the hospital, which has separate wards for male and female patients. He said all the staff members are leprosy-cured patients since it is difficult to find people to work in the hospital, .

Leprosy hospital’s female ward

We learned that leprosy is a mildly contagious disease but ceases to be so only after a few days of treatment with Multidrug Therapy (MDT) pills, which are to be taken for a period of 6 or 12 months depending on the number of “patches” on the skin. If there are 5 or less patches, then the patient is treated with MDT for 6 months. However, if there are more than 5 patches, then 12 months of medication is required.