New
Delhi, 12: The Works of Mahatma Gandhi
and Vinoba Bhave inspired me to work in the remote areas and serve the rural
people, expressed Padma Shri Awardee, Dr. Ravindra Kolhe at Maharashtra
Information Centre today.
Dr.
Ravindra and his wife Dr. Smita Kolhe were in the Capital to receive the Padma
Shri Award at the hands of the President, Shri Ramnath Kovind on Monday. This
is the second Doctor couple from Maharashtra to be awarded this prestigious
award. The first was Dr Abhay and Dr Rani Bung in the field of Medicine.
The
Deputy Director, Shri Dayanand Kamble welcomed Dr. Ravindra Kolhe with a Shawl
and a bouquet, while the Public Relations Officer, Amarjyot Kaur Arora welcomed
his wife, Dr. Smita Kolhe with a shawl and a bouquet.
An
informal discussion was held concerning the Award and their experiences serving
the Korku and Gond Adivasis located in the Bairagad Village at Melghat Taluka
in Amravati District. The duo was conferred the Padma Shri Award for their
extensive contribution in transforming the lives of the tribals of Melghat
through affordable medical health care. Not only this, this couple has
succeeded in making this region a Farmer-suicide-Free zone.
The
journey to Melghat started from Amravati and all transport ended at Harisal,
from where one had to walk 40 km to reach Bairagarh village, said Dr. Kolhe. Children
were dying in Melghat due to malnutrition, pneumonia, malaria, cholera, etc,
informed Dr. Kolhe. Since 34 years, Dr
Kolhe has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the people in Bairagarh by
providing them with affordable healthcare. Adding further he said, 'I decided to work in
this remote area as there were no proper roads leading to the village. We had
to walk around 40 kms to reach Bairagarh village itself.'
Dr.
Kolhe and his wife Dr. Smita Kolhe have transformed the lives of the tribals by
improving their health; the village has gained access to electricity, roads and
helped them in effective farming. Sharing his experiences, he said that he
started his medical consultation with Re 1 and past 30 years, he has now
increased it to Rs 2/- which is very nominal. Though, initially it was
difficult to survive, when I got married but subsequently, my wife, Dr. Smita
adjusted in these surroundings and we are happily practicing here.
Dr
Ravindra Kolhe has an MBBS degree and provides medical treatment patient; his
wife Dr Smita specialises in Ayurveda, and provides traditional medicine and
treatment to the villagers.
Speaking
about his journey, Dr. Kolhe said that his father was working with Indian
Railways. When I was pursuing MBBS from
Nagpur, everyone was keen that I finish my studies and return to Shegaon, my
village, for; I was to be the first Doctor in the family. However, little did anyone know that I would
choose a complete different path in life and would serve in the remote areas,
informed Dr. Kolhe.
Speaking further, Dr.
Ravindra Kolhe said, was highly inspired by the books of Mahatma Gandhi and
Vinoba Bhave. After finishing MBBS, he decided to use his skills not for earning
money but to help the most needy. The only question before him was: Where
should I start my journey? But, soon enough, this question too was answered by
the cover page of the book Where
There is No Doctor,
written by David Werner. The cover of the book showed four people carrying a
patient, with the words – “Hospital 30 miles away” –written below.
Dr. Kolhe decided he wanted
to offer his services at some place that was far away from any medical
facility. He chose Bairagarh, a small village in Melghat, Maharashtra. The
journey to Melghat started from Amravati and all transport ended at Harisal,
from where one had to walk 40 km to reach Bairagarh.
Dr.
Kolhe left Bairagarh to complete his MD in 1987. He prepared his thesis on
malnutrition in Melghat. His thesis attracted the attention of the world
towards this subject – BBC radio covered Melghat, thus bringing it to
everyone’s notice, informed the Doctor. He returned to Melghat again, but not
alone, this time. He wanted a true companion. He started searching for his
right match, but stated four conditions. First, the girl should be ready to
walk for 40 km (the distance to be covered to reach Bairagarh). Second, she
should be ready for a ‘Rs. 5 wedding’ (court marriages at the time cost Rs. 5).
Third, she should be willing to manage financially with Rs. 400 per month (Dr.
Kolhe charged Re. 1 per patient and had almost 400 patients every month). And
lastly, she should be ready to beg too, not for herself but if needed, for the
welfare of others. And this is how I met, Dr. Smita after rejecting 100 girls.
Melghat got a second doctor.
Dr. Smita Kolhe
A
very poised Lady, Dr. Smita started speaking in her soft tone. She narrated how
she started from Nagpur, but quickly adapted the living style in the Adivasi
area of Melghat. Sharing one of the emotional incident, she said when she was
expecting the first child, Dr. Kolhe decided to do the delivery himself in the
same simple way as he did for the villagers. But due to some complications
during the delivery, the baby was infected by meningitis, pneumonia and
septicemia. People started suggesting that the mother and baby should be moved
to a better hospital in Akola. However, I decided to stay back and have the
baby treated just like other village children would be in the same condition.
This earned them respect from villagers, she said.
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