MSSI Hyderabad Chapter conducts a free MS Clinic at Apollo Hospital, Jubilee Hills, which is organised quarterly, for the MS patients registered with the Chapter. This has been a very successful imitative by the Hyderabad Chapter. We started this clinic on April 2014, when Dr. Subhashini Prabhakar, Neurologist, HOD Neurology and Dr. Namita Singh, Neuropsychologist, offered to give free consultations to the PwMS.

Only 4 patients are registered for each session, so that each one gets ample time with the doctors to discuss and clarify their queries. The PwMS members have expressed their extreme happiness and satisfaction on this initiative and showed interest to participate. If any follow up has been advised by the doctors, Hyderabad Chapter take care of that too. We have got a tremendous response from the PwMS for this innovative clinic initiative.

Testimonials by PwMS and Caregivers

Unlike the hustle-bustle we usually see at a Neuro OPD, we were welcomed, our papers were filled, we were properly guided and taken to the three consultants without much waiting. The doctors were very accommodative, showed patience, and were ready to listen to what has been said, examined us and gave useful suggestions. Though I am a patient of a different consultant, they never even for a while thought I am an outsider. Overall experience has been excellent. Once again, A BIG THANKS to MSSI Hyderabad.

Dr. Srinivas Mondrety (PwMS)

MS society of Hyderabad has been very cordial and cooperative towards me and my sister. They came in at a time when I was totally blank of how to proceed further in treatment of the disease approximately seven years back. They have tied up with Apollo Hospital and arranged for regular check-ups from prominent neuro physicians and other related doctors that keeps a check on the unpredictable developments in the patient.

Archana Arora’s brother Manish Arora (caregiver)

Thank you MSSI – Hyderabad Chapter & Apollo Clinic Neuro Team

The word free always attracts but also gives you a negative sense of the quality of your session. But that’s not the case with MS Clinic at Apollo. The Doctors are very much committed to these PwMS meetings but also treat us like any normal person giving you the utmost importance and spending a good quality of their time with us.

Maheshwar Kusuma (PwMS)

Birthday cards made by artist Indira Susheel Kumar for all MS persons…free of cost….each one personally signed by our chairperson……Mandalas bringing us closer

WHY DO I CREATE MANDALAS?

Mandala” is a Sanskrit word that means “circle”. Mandalas generally have one identifiable center point, from which emanates an array of symbols, shapes and forms. A Mandala represents wholeness. The circular designs symbolize the notion that life is never ending. Many mandalas have spiritual significance to an individual or group of individuals. Mandalas are traditionally used as meditative tools and spiritual symbols. Carl Jung introduced the modern era to Mandala drawing as a form of self-discovery.

Mandalas offer balancing visual elements, symbolizing unity and harmony. They strive for a harmony of stillness and motion which provides the viewer both rest and energy. Mandalas are not planned but an intuitive and free flowing process that relaxes and heals the mind, mind and spirit not only for the creator but also for the person looking at the creation. Personally, since I derive great peace and happiness creating mandalas, I feel that those associated with the MSSI would benefit greatly by just looking deeply into the mandalas.

INDIRA SUSHEEL KUMAR

I have always been attracted towards art and creativity and this encouraged me to enrol into the Sir J J School of Art, Mumbai to pursue a diploma course in Textile designing. On completing my studies in the creative field, I added a Degree in Economics and Political Science from the Osmania University, Hyderabad.

After my education at Sir J J School of Art, Mumbai, I had set up my own studio, where batik, tie n die, and fabric painting were done on order basis. I have conceptualized and conducted two art exhibitions, comprising of my own creations

The experience of having worked in the Art Department of advertising agencies as a Visualizer helped me in the creative process. As a freelancer in the creative field for more than three decades, designing of mandaps, store windows, animations for newsletters are some of the areas where my designing and creativity comes to the fore.

To create awareness for MS & MSSI at the First Sunday Organic Earth Mela by Goodseeds at Saptaparni, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.

Goodseeds is a platform to promote healthy, holistic, and sustainable living ideas. It was founded by Mr. Narayan Murthy in 2012. He has extended his support to the Hyderabad Chapter of MSSI by giving a free stall at every mela happening in the city. Young women entrepreneurs and the elite who visited the mela showed great interest in the activities of MSSI.

MSSI Hyderabad participated in the mela in January and March and it was observed that there were many who were still unaware of the existence of such an Institution. Many volunteered to contribute and support the MS cause.

“forms of the formless” – a book launched by MSSI Hyderabad in 2011 was sold at the mela at a discounted price, with the author Ms Amita Talwar personally signing the copies. The proceeds of the sale were generously donated by her to MSSI Hyderabad.

“MSSI added flavour to Goodseeds mela” was a pleasing remark made by Mr. Narayan Murthy. MSSI Hyderabad is grateful to him for the opportunity provided.

Meeting PV Sindhu

Meeting with P.V.  Sindhu at  Brahmakumaris centre, Shanti Sarovar, in Hyderabad on Mahashivratri on 13th Feb.2018. She addressed a gathering of over 1000 people form different fields IT, GHMC, defence, sports etc. I represented MSSI Hyderabad chapter.  Spoke personally to Sindhu about MSSI and  MS affecting the youth. Gifted her Amita Talwar’s book  ‘Forms of the Formless’ which was launched as our fundraiser and the sale proceeds of which go for the welfare of PwMS. The book has a writeup on MSSI . She promised to go through it and thanked whole heartedly.

MSSI Hyderabad chapter organised the MS walk on 4th February to celebrate India MS Day at the Parade Grounds in the heart of Secunderabad.

Ms. Basa Nagmani, renowned long distance runner and Asian games Gold Medalist, flagged off the walk and was felicitated by our chairperson.

Dr. Rebecca Varghese, a PwMS and an emergency physician was felicitated by our charter chairperson, for her various achievements in beauty pageants.

The participants included most of our PwMS with their friends, caregivers and children, office bearers, life members, guests, TV 1 and TV 9 team, athletes from Ms. Nagamani’s training school and the morning walkers around.

The walk drew publicity with TV channels like TV1 and TV9, newspapers like The Hindu and the local daily Telangana Today covering the programme which helped to bring focus on MS.

The highlight of the programme was two persons with MS who were on their daily morning walk registered with the society and a guest registered as a life member.

Hyderabad chapter thanks Mr. R.K. Nair, MD of Soma Block Prints, Jaipur, for sponsoring this event which was a grand success.

The Hyderabad Chapter celebrated World MS Day at City Center Mall, Banjara Hills on 31/5/2017 with the theme ‘Life with MS’. The colour for the day was Orange.

80 Members and guests joined hands to form the Human Chain for World MS Day that included PwMS, their family members, caregivers, guests and life members. The enthusiastic participation (despite the scorching summer heat) by everyone made this event a ‘SUCCESS’.

The event timing was from 5.00 PM till 7.00 PM. However, like all other events, the participants enjoyed themselves and thus it got extended till 7.30 PM (not breaking the tradition).

Memorable Moments of the Day:

Our event began with a welcome address by Mrs. Mamta Gupta – Chapter Chairperson. She welcomed all the participants and shared details about the importance of World MS Day and Hyderabad Chapter’s social responsible services to society.

1. Rebecca, PwMS began the program with her soulful rendering of the famous song “Heal the World” followed by another song “Saari umr hum” from the movie 3 Idiots. She shared her own experiences and of a few other MS persons through her verse “Life with MS” and the audience was visibly moved by her story.
2. Arti Mittal, PwMS recited a poem “Life is Beautiful” (penned by her).
3. Master Gaurav Mittal, PwMS Mrs. Arti Mittal’s son sang his own composition “Monster”.
4. Miss Akshara (whom we all call Baby Doll), daughter of PwMS Mrs. Srikanya gave a rousing dance performance to the song “Nachange Saari Raat”.
5. Niharika Bohra, daughter of PwMS Mrs. Suman Bohra sang the beautiful song “Aashayen”.
6. Ramadevi, PwMS who is currently confined to a wheelchair displayed the true spirit of ‘Life with MS’ by performing to the song “Nadavinodam” while sitting on a chair. This was the highlight of the evening.
7. P. Murali Krishna (Guinness record holder) and award winning magician entertained the audience with his magic acts.
8. The evening was full of fun and frolic. As with all good things, the event came to an end with a show of solidarity for PwMS, their family members, caregivers, guests and life members by forming a human chain.

Acknowledgements:

The MSSI Hyderabad Chapter expresses their sincere gratitude to our wonderful sponsors without whom, this event would not have been possible.

1. We gratefully acknowledge Mr. Sandeep Shah of Subway for the generosity in providing snacks and refreshments for all the event attendees.
2. We are very thankful to UCB India for their support towards this event.
3. We express our gratitude to Mr. Asim of City Center Mall, Banjara Hills in Hyderabad for graciously providing the venue to host our event.
4. Special thanks to the vendor, Mrs. Deepthi of Darsh Events for providing the backdrop, and organising the stage and sound.

Catch a glimpse of some of the activities and events held by the Hyderabad Chapter

We celebrated India MS Day along with our annual program Akanksha at Lumbini Park, Hyderabad which was attended by about 70 persons. We had a fellowship time of all the PwMS with their families followed by the Laser Show and snacks sponsored by MSSI. This event created awareness amongst the general public

Arogya – Annual Master Health Check was conducted at Zoi Hospital. 21 persons availed this facility. Breakfast was served by MSSI.

The World MS Day 2016 was celebrated at Tivoli Theatre, Secunderabad. Everyone enjoyed the movie AZHAR and the mouthwatering snacks. This was a successful awareness campaign.

The National AGM 2016 was hosted by MSSI Hyderabad Chapter at Green Park Hotel, Begumpet on 9^th September 2016. There was an excellent representation by the dignitaries from the Head Office and all the Chapters. This was followed by a Musical evening by Dr. Mahesh Joshi and dinner.