SVKM’s NMIMS Shirpur campus organised the ‘Health, Environment, Education, Social Equity, Agriculture & Rural Development Awareness Campaign’ funded by The Mirae Asset Foundation – SVKM’s NMIMS ESG Research Chair. The inaugural ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Hon. Kashiram Vechan Pawara (MLA, Shirpur), Shri. Bhupeshbhai Patel (Joint President, SVKM), Mrs. Rita Patel (I/C Shirpur Campus), Shri. Rajgopalji Bhandari (Mentor, SVKM), and other esteemed SVKM leaders. The proceedings began with the traditional lamp lighting, followed by the felicitation of the chief guest and distinguished leaders. School principals and gram sarpanchs from the 20 villages were honoured for their support in the survey operation in their village, strengthening grassroots ownership of sustainability initiatives.
In the inaugural talk, Dr. Sunita Patil, Director, MPTP, Shirpur campus, delivered a welcome address and briefed about the project and the Mirae Asset Foundation. After the Inaugural Ceremony, Dr. Shyam Sunder Pancholi (Associate Dean, SPTM), Dr. Venkatadri Marriboyina (Associate Dean, MPSTME), and their dedicated team briefed on the project “Transforming Environmental Health: A Community Awareness Initiative on Health, Hygiene, Education, Social Equity, Agriculture & Rural Development in Shirpur Taluka”—funded by Mirae Asset Foundation under SVKM’s NMIMS ESG Research Chair. In their comprehensive presentation, the team delivered key insights from the ESG survey spanning 20 villages in Shirpur taluka, covering survey objectives (baseline assessment for multi-phase intervention), methodology (Survey questionnaires targeting stakeholders), focus group selection, questionnaire design (validated indicators across E-S-G parameters), and advanced analysis methods (by Power BI). The standout highlight was the interactive village dashboard unveiling, showcasing real-time analytics for all 20 villages: water scarcity crisis, sanitation deficits, social equity gaps, agricultural chemical overuse, and rural infrastructure bottlenecks. This data-driven roadmap set clear priorities for Phase 2 interventions for the ‘Health, Environment, Education, Social Equity, Agriculture & Rural Development.
Shri. Rajgopalji Bhandari (Mentor, SVKM) addressed the gathering with his visionary insights on holistic village development, placing special emphasis on water conservation, farming, education, and women’s health, particularly pregnant women’s access to timely delivery services and maternal care facilities. He underscored the project’s objective for the complete transformation of Shirpur taluka villages through integrated ESG interventions, pledging his unwavering support to bridge critical gaps in rural healthcare infrastructure and community empowerment programs. His motivational words inspired all stakeholders toward sustainable, all-encompassing village revitalization.
Dr. Ravi Wankhedkar, with around 35 years of surgical practice and leadership in IMA National Health Programs, delivered an insightful talk on “Clean Water, Clean Surroundings, Safe Environment.”. he provided actionable disease prevention tips, explaining how environmental pollution and water contamination directly impact rural health—citing rising gastrointestinal infections, skin diseases, and vector-borne illnesses from polluted sources. Dr. Wankhedkar emphasized good eating habits (balanced nutrition, avoiding contaminated produce), drinking water, sanitation techniques (boiling, chlorination, use of alum for removal of water hardness), and the toxic hazards of pesticides on environmental health, including bioaccumulation in food chains leading to neurological disorders and cancer risks in farming communities.
Shri. Tukaram Ramkrishna Dorik, Shirpur water conservation project director, presented on “Green Farming – Stable Income, Secure Future.” Highlighting Shri. Amrishbhai Patel’s ‘Shirpur Pattern’ detailed its 190+ bandharas (check dams), enabling rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and perennial irrigation, transforming barren lands into fertile farms.
The awareness Campaign successfully concluded, with enthusiastic participation from farmers, teachers, students, homemakers, sarpanchs, principals, and community leaders from Sule, Rohini, Khamble, Sangvi, Zhende-Anjan, Waghadi, Nimjhari, Budki, Vikharan, Tekwade, Bhampur, Ahilyapur, Holnanthe, Pilode, Babhalaj, Varul, Gartad, Bhorkheda, Asali, Savalde and Kharde marking a milestone in sustainable rural development. A solemn Water Conservation Pledge was administered to all participants during the concluding segment.
Vote of thanks begins with heartfelt gratitude to Chief Guest Hon. Kashiram Vechan Pawara (MLA, Shirpur), Shri. Bhupeshbhai Patel (Joint President, SVKM), Mrs. Rita Patel (I/C Shirpur Campus), and Shri. Rajgopalji Bhandari (Mentor, SVKM) for their esteemed presence, followed by special appreciation to Dr. Ravi Wankhedkar and Shri. Tukaram Ramkrishna Dorik for their invaluable expert talks. Sincere thanks to Dr. Sunita Patil (Director, MPTP, Shirpur), Dr. Shyam Sunder Pancholi (Associate Dean, SPTM), Dr. Venkatadri Marriboyina (Associate Dean, MPSTME), Dr. Mahendra Prajapati, Mr. Rajesh Verma, and Dr. Vishal Beldar (In-charge NSS, SPTM) for their flawless execution. Mirae Asset Foundation was acknowledged for generous funding and praised participants, farmers, sarpanchs, principals, teachers, and students for their enthusiastic support, concluding with a call for sustained collaboration.
