MSSI Mumbai Chapter organized a Get-Together & Interaction Program for all PwMS families on 16 March 2023 at the Mumbai office.

To lighten the mood, our young-at-heart & dynamic Mrs Vandana Sawant initiated the program with her laughter exercises for all present. Everybody present showed a keen interest and did exercises with her.

PwMS Sudha Kulkarni also demonstrated a few exercises which can be performed even while doing daily chores. We were also fortunate to have Ritika Sahni, Founder-Trustee of Trinayani, an NGO which works for the cause of all disabilities. She enthralled the audience with her captivating voice, ‘Kaisi paheli hai ye zindagi’ song won the hearts of all and made them sing in chorus with her. The most awaited talk was of Dr Sarosh Katrak, Emeritus Director, Dept. of Neurology, Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre. He explained MS and the course of the disease in simple terms. It was followed by one-to-one interaction with MS families. We also had a Caregiver Session with Hon. Committee Member, Mrs. Anita Vesuvala. She gave tips on the daily management of MS to our newly registered MS Persons, especially how to cope with depression, stress, emotional outbursts etc.

Mrs Sheela Chitnis spoke about the ‘Mera Sapna’ Project, under which we fulfil the small wishes of PwMS. A total of 63 people participated in the event.

The Mumbai Chapter organised its annual picnic on Friday, 6th January 2023 at Rani Baug, Byculla. 64 participants including PwMS and their families met for the fun day out.

Rani Baug also known as Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan is a zoo and garden covering 53 acres of land situated at Byculla, in the heart of Mumbai City. It is the oldest public garden in Mumbai with varied flora and fauna.

It was a perfect day to visit the zoo. The attendees took in the sights of various animals in awe and wonder. Some animals that delighted everyone were elephants, tigers, black bears, pythons, cobras, deer, monkeys & baboons.

Next, the group took a tour of the ‘Paradise of Birds’ with beautiful birds like Malabar pied Hornbill, Alexandrine Parakeet, Golden Pheasant, Red-breasted Parakeet, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Military Macaw, African Grey Parrot, White & Grey Cockatiel, Indian Peafowl etc.

The latest and very interesting addition to the zoo was the penguin enclosure that is the home for 13 penguins brought in from Seoul, South Korea.

The Zoo aviary offered a walkthrough among the noisy aquatic birds on the campus. Everyone walked on the wooden bridge, interacted with the birds, and also clicked pictures of the flying beauties. Pelicans, flamingos and albino crows, cranes, herons and storks were among the other species in this aviary made for aquatic birds.

A sumptuous lunch was served and enjoyed by everyone. The group also celebrated Bhakti Jadhav, PwMS’ birthday with wishes of luck and good health.

Dr Dev, Curator of the Zoo personally guided the group through the place and also brought the animals closer to the visitor’s arena so that everybody could capture good selfies and photos. Dr Dev waived the entry fees also which was a big help to MSSI. The chapter is grateful to Dr Dev for his support, making the picnic successful & also thankful to Mr Kais, who provided lunch at concessional rates.

It was a great day for all the attendees with lots of laughter, pictures, and discussions which strengthened the bond between all.

The Mumbai Chapter organised an MS Awareness Program at Infiniti Mall, Malad on 19 December 2022.

About 80 people joined us including PwMS, their caregivers, friends and families. Mrs. Sheela Chitnis, Hon. Chairperson, Mumbai Chapter gave a short message about MS and MSSI. The highlight of the program was the dance performance by celebrity choreographer, Mr. Devesh Mirchandani. He rocked the Infiniti Mall with his foot-tapping Bollywood song performances.

Other beautiful performances included a Lavani dance by 74-year-old PwMS Sudha Kulkarni. Although Sudha cannot stand without a walker, it was amazing to see her perfect movements using her hands and facial expressions with the help of 2 chairs for balance. PwMS Shashi Patel danced with the help of his better half despite movement restrictions on the famous Srivalli song. PwMS Nadeem Naqui and caregiver Mrs Pandit did a solo music performance with their melodious voices and captivated the visitors of the mall. The program ended with proposing of a Vote of Thanks by Ms Archana Saxena, Hon. Jt. Treasurer of MSSI Mumbai Chapter.

Watch the highlights of the programme here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmYFkI7oEGK/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY

Kush Kale, grandson of Late PwMS Mrs. Neelima, Former National Treasurer, MSSI and  Late Mr. Sharad Kale is a 1st-year student of MBBS from Oxford University, London. During his trip to Mumbai, he had the pleasure of spending four days with Dr. Pradyumna Oak, Director & Head of Neurology, Nanavati Hospital, Mumbai. To gain a wider perspective of the Indian MS Society, he had a one-to-one interaction with a few patients who are dealing with MS. It was an informative interaction where he highlighted the work done by MS Societies in the UK. This session was organised by Mrs. Sheela Chitnis and attended by Sandeep Chitnis, Hon. National Secretary &  Surekha Nerurkar, Hon. Treasurer of Mumbai Chapter, Kush’ parents Milind & Nutan and sister Kavya along with other MSSI Staff.

The Regional Deputy Commissioner (Mumbai), The Ministry of Social Justice & University of Mumbai in association with the Cerebral Palsy Association of India organised a ‘Divyang Sanskrutik Mahotsav’ on Tuesday 13 December 2022 at the University of Mumbai, Santacruz East, Kalina.

This event was specially organised to showcase the talents of young divyang persons in various fields. All the Divyang Achievers of 21 Disabilities falling under the PWD Act, 2016 were felicitated with the Achievers Award.

Divya Sreevalsan, PwMS associated with the Mumbai Chapter was also one of the persons who was chosen to receive this prestigious award. Divya has been a strong MS warrior for 15 years. As her MS progressed, her mobility gradually deteriorated and she has been using a wheelchair for quite some years now. She is a skilled graphic designer and enthusiastically works on assignments from the comfort of her home. Lately, she has been feeling weakness in the trunk and upper limbs and started using a powered wheelchair. She was presented with an achiever’s award and a citation certificate at the ceremony.

Mrs. Sundari Raju, Hon. Secretary MSSI, Mumbai Chapter, Geeta Mirchandani & Jigna Chanpura, PwMS also attended the award function. 30 special schools from Mumbai City & Mumbai Suburban participated in the event & trustees of various organisations were present at the ceremony.

It was a very entertaining program and heart-warming to see the talents displayed by especially abled persons who have excelled in various fields.

On 7 October 2022, MSSI Mumbai Chapter organised an MS Awareness Program at MMK College, Bandra for young college students. More than 70 students attended the session. Mrs Sheela Chitnis, Co-Founder, MSSI & Hon. Chairperson, MSSI Mumbai spoke on Multiple Sclerosis & the Inception of MSSI. She also briefly highlighted the projects undertaken & services offered by MSSI. Mr Sandeep Chitnis, Hon. National Secretary, MSSI spoke on Advocacy, Rehabilitation & Need for Volunteers at MSSI. Akshata Patil, PwMS spoke about her experience with MS and how early diagnosis is important in its treatment.