India MS Day (IMSD) being held pan India in February for the last three years, as opposed to World MS Day which is observed all over the world in May , was an idea mooted by MSp Jyoti Ronghe in 2015/2016. The idea met with immediate approval in view of the fact that the weather in our country is more clement in February than in May, to enable participation by MS persons in our awareness drive.
Participants assembled outside Balgandharva, Deccan. They came from all walks of life, volunteers from BNY Mellon, University students, individual volunteers, caretakers, Rotaract volunteers, Committee members, staff of Pune Chapter and of course, MS persons in wheel chairs. We distributed T-shirts and caps to all participants and thus clad and carrying two banners, one in English and one Marathi, we started our walkathon, raising slogans of YES WE CARE. Volunteers distributed pamphlets to the curious public who approached us and asked about our cause. We walked thus for about 1 km and then returned to the starting point.
The enthusiastic participants were very happy with the response and embarked on one more walk and distributed pamphlets. Hon. Secretary, Sunita Lalwani gave vote of thanks to the participants on behalf of MSSI Pune.
We distributed wafers, wada pav, lemon lassi and water bottles to all. In toto, it was an enjoyable morning, well spent on our aim of creating awareness about MS.
Special thanks :
- Asha, Madhuri, Shahuraj for obtaining police permission
- Mini Grant for free Lemon Lassi from ABC Farms
- Jyoti for Vada Pav and water bottles.
- National Jt. Treasurer Siva Kumar for attending the program
- Icing on the cake .. HO declared Jyoti Ronghe of Pune Chapter, MS Person of the Year. We salute you Jyoti for bringing us this honour.
