In 1994, Revered Shri Sardeshmukh Maharaj initiated Cancer Research Project, with the help of Dr. Arvind Kulkarni, who was the head of Radio-oncology, at Bombay Hospital and Dr. S. P. Sardeshmukh. At present, the project is conducted at three centres Pune, Mumbai and Solapur. Dr. Kumthekar, well-known Cancer surgeon, placed at Solapur, is also the co-ordinator of the project. About 2800 patients have been taking treatment in this project.
In the year 2004, the project completed a decade. On this occasion, two events were organised in Mumbai & Pune. “Cancer Research Project - Decade Programme” was held in Mumbai on the 4th & 5th December 2004 at Shishuvihar Vidyalaya, Dadar (E) and on the 11th & 12th December 2004 at Police Recreation Hall, Shivaji Nagar, Pune. On this occasion, trust had organised ‘Cancer Awareness & Prevention’ exhibition, Patients counseling and Interactive session which included query solving of patients and relatives by a panel of experts and lectures on various aspects of Cancer.
“Cancer Research Project - Decade program” an event arranged at Mumbai, was inaugurated by Hon. Dr. Ravindra Bapat, vice chancellor, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences. Well-known Surgeon Dr. V. N. Shrikhande was the chief guest on this occasion. Dr. B. V. Khare was the guest of honour. He inaugurated the special issue on Cancer of Vishvashanti Vrittant, a monthly bulletin published by the trust. Director of Bombay Chemicals, Hon. Shri. Vijay Gokhale inaugurated the exhibition on ‘Ayurved and Cancer’. In the next session, aims, objectives and future plans of Cancer Research Project were explained by Dr. Vineeta Deshmukh, incharge of the project.
Afternoon session began with ‘Dialogue with patients’. In this session patients who were benefitted by the project shared their experiences and encouraged other patients and relatives. Executive editor of Chitralekha,
Mr. Dnyanesh Maharao was the chief guest. To create awareness about Cancer among the masses, lectures on various topics were arranged. Hon. Dr. V. V. Upasani presided this function as the chief guest. Holistic aspect of Cancer, Tobacco and Cancer, Emotional aspects and Cancer, Healthy regimen for Cancer prevention were the various topics discussed. In his lecture on holistic approach
Dr. Kulkarni explained the importance of Three P’s viz. Physiology, Pathology and Psychology so also the importance of diet, yoga and pranayama in maintaining health. Dr. Shirish Kumthekar, an
onco-surgeon from Solapur and one of the co-ordinators of the project narrated the ill effects of tobacco. He expressed a strong desire to create awareness amongst the people about tobacco and also views on amendments in government policies regarding tobacco.
Ex-Minister for railway and petroleum, Hon. Mr. Ram Naik had a dialogue about his experiences and his fight against this disease. He expressed the importance of having faith in the doctors and treatment, also importance of friends and relatives to overcome the fear and ignorance related to the disease. Dr. B. V. Khare, Hon. Surgeon at G. T. Hospital, stressed the importance of a calm and cheerful mind for maintenance of health. He stated that mind can act as our best friend and also can be our greatest enemy. Dr. Shailesh Nadkarni, General Manager, Dhootpapeshwar Ltd. explained the daily regimen, seasonal regimen, various procedures described in Ayurveda for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and its role in prevention of diseases. The next day’s programme started with second session on ‘Dialogue with patients’ in which the patients expressed their views and benefits from ayurvedic treatment. After this session Dr. Vineeta Deshmukh revealed various possible causes of this disease as per the data available. The third session on ‘Dialogue with patients’ started at 11.15 a. m. where the patients stated the efficacy of ayurvedic treatment in increasing the immunity and combating the side effects of Cancer.  MNS leader, Hon. Mr. Shishir Shinde presided over this session. He inaugurated a book,
‘Gharguti Aushadhopchar’, published by the trust.
12.30 p.m to 1.00 p.m was marked by the felicitation of the doctors and staff who had lent a helping hand in this project. Hon. Shri. Ajit Parasnis, Additional Director, General Anti-corruption Bureau, Maharashtra state graced the function. ‘Ayurvediya Aaharshaili’, a book published by the trust was inaugurated by him. The next session was “Cancer Interactive Session” where a panel of experts -
Dr. Arvind Kulkarni, Dr. Shirish Kumthekar, Dr. B. V. Khare, Vd. S. P. Sardeshmukh, Vd. Vanita Rege,
Vd. Ramesh Nanal, Vd. Prashant Suru answered the questions put forth by the audience.
Ayurvedic aspect regarding Cancer, its treatment, benefits of diet, various investigations to be done to detect Cancer at an early stage were some of the questions answered by the panelists. Views were expressed about the effects of changing lifestyle, disturbed mental state, the benefits of alternative therapies etc. Hon.Vaidya Shriramji Sharma and President, Central Council of Indian Medicine presided this function as the chief guest.
The Thanks giving and Concluding session started at 5.30 p.m. in the presence of
Hon. Mr. Manohar Joshi who presided as the Chief Guest. Dr. S. P. Sardeshmukh, Director, 'Ayurved Hospital and Research Centre' in his introductory speech narrated the aim and objectives of the trust. The Staff of Cancer Research Project was felicitated on this occasion by Shri. Manohar Joshi. He also inaugurated the souvenir published by the trust to comemorate the Decade program. In his concluding speech he said, “Their is need to take away the fear and to accept the disease with courage, to fight against Cancer successfully”. He appreciated the sincere efforts of the trust in conducting the research project on Cancer. |