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Society’s outlook towards mentally challenged people should change: Dr. Bharat Vatwani

Dr. Vatwani's selfless attitude of helping mentally challenged people has recently earned him the 'Ramon Magsaysay Award'

Society’s outlook towards mentally challenged people should change: Dr. Bharat Vatwani
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How many of us offer help or at least cast a second glance to mentally challenged people? Few people offer money but seldom take them to doctors or provide help. One such Mumbaikar not only communicates with them but also treats them at his hospital.

60-year-old Dr. Bharat Vatwani has been helping mentally challenged people by giving them proper treatment. His act has earned him this year’s Ramon Magsaysay Award for his work for mentally-ill people living on the streets. So far, he has helped over 7,000 mentally challenged people.



While speaking to Mumbai Live, Dr. Vatwani said he was very happy when the award was announced on Guru Purnima. He added that he dedicates the award to his idol Dr. Baba Amte, and to the mentally challenged people who live on the streets. 


Mentally challenged people do not come on streets to beg but the situation makes them do so. In such situations, their family, who should support them, abandon them. Once I saw a man drinking water from a gutter. I took him to my nursing home and treated him for schizophrenia. As he recovered, I learned that he was a B.Sc. Graduate. Then I decided to dedicate my life in treating mentally challenged people,” said Dr. Vatwani.

While treating mentally challenged people, Dr. Vatwani and his wife Smitha, started the Shraddha Rehabilitation Foundation in 1989. Since then, their organisation has reunited more than 2,000 people with their families.



When I got to know about the award, I called Dr Prakash Amte and he laughed out loud and said, “Bharat, you deserve it”. These four words coming from him meant more to me than winning the Ramon Magsaysay Award."



He said that people’s mentality should change towards mentally challenged people and the family that abandons the person should change their perspective as well. He added that his aim is to build a rehabilitation centre in Karjat so that he could treat more such people under one roof. 

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