In a remarkable journey of compassion and dedication, Dr. Abhijit Sonawane and Dr. Manisha Sonawane, affectionately known as the “Doctors for Beggars,” have been transforming the lives of the less fortunate on the streets of Pune. Their inspiring story, from running roadside clinics to fostering social change, sheds light on the power of empathy and the potential to make a meaningful impact on society.
Dr. Abhijit Sonawane shared the early challenges he faced as a doctor, recounting how he and his wife, Dr. Manisha Sonawane, embarked on a mission to provide medical assistance to the ailing homeless population. He recalled, “With the noble intention of aiding beggars, I quit my well-paying job and embarked on a journey using my bike as a mobile medical clinic, providing essential medical check-ups, medication, etc. At first, some of the beggar patients mistook me for a fraud, threw sticks at me, or even spat on me. But that’s how I stepped into the realm of social work with a significant understanding of empathy and sensitivity.”
Recently, the Pune couple, renowned as the “Doctors for Beggars,” was interviewed in a program called ‘Saamanya Te Asaamanya,’ jointly organized by the P M Shah Foundation and Vardhaman Pratishthan at the Vardhaman Pratishthan on S B Road, Pune. Distinguished individuals like Adv. Chetan Gandhi, Director of P M Shah Foundation, Vilas Rathod, President of Vardhaman Pratishthan, Atul Shah, Director of Chandukaka Saraf Pvt. Ltd., Saraswati Mehta, and others were present at the event.
In recognition of their outstanding work, Dr. Abhijit and Dr. Manisha Sonawane were honored with a certificate of appreciation, and Vilas Rathod announced a donation of Rs 51,000 to support their commendable efforts. Subsequently, the couple was interviewed by Monika Joshi and Adv. Chetan Gandhi.
Dr. Manisha Sonawane expressed, “Today, we have a family of around 1100 people outside the four walls of our home. Through this, we have bonded with many mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, uncles, and aunts. While it may be challenging to nurture these relationships, the inner satisfaction that we get at the end of the day is truly invaluable.”
Dr. Abhijit Sonawane highlighted their efforts to empower beggars by recognizing their abilities and skills, offering employment opportunities, and striving to integrate them into society. “With the help of the society, we have successfully rehabilitated 175 beggar families, and we actively support the education of 52 children,” he shared.
The couple’s dedication extends to serving patients in nearly 60 different areas in Pune, providing essential medical services, including hospitalization, tests, and treatments for conditions such as heart diseases, diabetes, cataracts, and more.
Dr. Sonawane emphasized the need to change the perception of begging, stating, “Today, begging has turned into a business. 75% of beggars in the city are professional beggars, and only 20-25% beg because there is no alternative.” He called upon the public to refrain from giving money to beggars and instead support them in ways that promote independence rather than dependency.
Adv. Chetan Gandhi praised individuals like Dr. Abhijit and Dr. Manisha Sonawane for setting an exemplary precedent in society. The program ‘Saamanya Te Asaamanya’ aimed to shed light on their incredible journey, offering inspiration and guidance to society.
Monika Joshi moderated the program, and Adv. Chetan Gandhi provided the introduction.
