NEWS & EVENTS

On 3rd April 2025, the APAL State Committee in Haryana, in collaboration with the Red Cross Society, organized a successful eye check-up camp at the Rohtak Kusht Ashram. Mr. Sanjay Miglani, Chairman of the Red Cross Society, Chandigarh, led the initiative. The primary goal of the camp was to provide essential eye care services to residents of the Kusht Ashram, most of whom are persons affected by leprosy, as well as to extend the service to the general public in the surrounding area.

Nearly 150 individuals actively participated in the event, availing themselves of the eye screening services. The medical team from the Civil Hospital, including Dr. Dinesh Kumar and Dr. K.S. Sharma, played a crucial role in conducting the eye examinations and offering expert advice to the attendees. Their contribution ensured that participants received timely and professional healthcare services.

Key members from the Red Cross Society also extended their support to make the event a success. Among them were Mr. Shyam Sunder, Secretary of the Red Cross Society in Rohtak; Mr. Ashish from the Accounts Department; Mr. Vishal and Mr. Dhaniya from the Red Cross Rohtak team. Their dedication and coordination were instrumental in the smooth execution of the camp.

Mr. P. Govindswamy, Board Member of APAL, warmly welcomed all the guests and expressed sincere gratitude on behalf of the community. He thanked the Red Cross Society and all the officials involved for their commitment to improving the health and well-being of persons affected by leprosy. The event stood as a fine example of community collaboration and support for a marginalized section of society.

On 2^nd April 2025, APAL’s President, Maya Ranavare, participated in the Global Disability Summit 2025 in Berlin, representing persons affected by leprosy on the global stage. Her participation was sponsored and supported by GLRA India.

The Global Disability Summit serves as a crucial platform to accelerate global efforts toward disability inclusion. It brings together diverse high-level stakeholders, including governments, multilateral agencies, the private sector, academia, civil society organizations, organizations of persons with disabilities, and foundations. The summit fosters dialogue and collaboration to drive meaningful progress in disability inclusion worldwide.

Through her presence, Maya Ranavare highlighted the challenges faced by persons affected by leprosy and advocated for their rights, inclusion, and access to opportunities. Her engagement reinforced the importance of addressing leprosy-related stigma and ensuring that disability inclusion efforts encompass the needs of all marginalized groups.

On 31^st March 2025, APAL’s State Committee in Maharashtra recently visited the Sanjay Nagar colony in Borivali, Mumbai, to engage with the residents and understand their living conditions. This visit aimed to assess the challenges faced by the leprosy-affected community and discuss potential solutions to improve their quality of life.

During the visit, APAL representatives, along with the colony leaders and community members, engaged in meaningful discussions regarding housing, healthcare, social inclusion, and access to government welfare schemes. Maya Ranavare, a key leader and advocate for the rights of leprosy-affected individuals, actively participated in the meeting, lending her voice to the concerns of the residents. The discussions revolved around improving sanitation, securing financial aid, and ensuring better healthcare services for the community.

The visit by APAL’s State Committee in Maharashtra underscored the organization’s commitment to empowering people affected by leprosy and advocating for their rights. The interaction not only highlighted the pressing issues faced by the Sanjay Nagar residents but also served as a platform for finding practical solutions in collaboration with local leaders. The committee assured the residents of their continued support and efforts to push for policy changes that would lead to better living conditions for the leprosy-affected community in Maharashtra.

On 29^th March 2025, The APAL (Association of People Affected by Leprosy) State Committee in Madhya Pradesh recently held its annual meeting in Indore, bringing together key representatives and advocates dedicated to the welfare of individuals affected by leprosy. The meeting served as an essential platform to assess the current living conditions in the leprosy community and identify critical services still required for their well-being and social upliftment.

Among the prominent attendees were Mr. Sarang Gayadhane, Secretary of APAL, and Mr. Satish Chowdary, State Coordinator of GLRA (German Leprosy and TB Relief Association) in Madhya Pradesh. From the APAL State Committee, active participation was seen from Mr. Raju, Ms. Hira, Mr. Gopal, Ms. Rekha, Ms. Sarita, Mr. Rajaram, and Ms. Meera. The discussions focused on addressing key challenges faced by the leprosy-affected community, including access to healthcare, social inclusion, livelihood opportunities, and essential support services.

The meeting reinforced APAL’s commitment to advocating for the rights and needs of those affected by leprosy, ensuring they receive adequate support and integration into mainstream society. The collective efforts of the participants highlighted the importance of continued collaboration with government bodies, NGOs, and welfare organizations to bridge service gaps and improve the quality of life for the leprosy-affected community in Madhya Pradesh.

Report: APAL Vice President Shri Jawahar Ram Paswan Attended Udayan’s Foundation Day

Date: 25/03/2025Venue: Udayan Campus, West Bengal

The 55th Foundation Day of Udayan Sanstha was a significant occasion marked by the presence of distinguished guests, including Shri Jawahar Ram Paswan, Vice President of the Association of People Affected by Leprosy (APAL). The event saw the participation of all Udayan family officials, including the Director, Deputy Director, Superintendent, Sapan Da, and other esteemed dignitaries.

During his address, Shri Jawahar Ram Paswan acknowledged and commended the exceptional contributions of Udayan Sanstha towards the welfare of children from families affected by leprosy. He emphasized that the organization has been a beacon of hope for many, providing education, self-reliance, and social rehabilitation opportunities. He lauded Udayan’s unwavering commitment to empowering these children and helping them integrate into mainstream society.

Shri Paswan took a moment to highlight the success stories of several individuals who have benefitted from Udayan’s initiatives and have now carved a respectable place for themselves in society. Among them were:

Mahesh Gorai – Advocate

Dhan Singh – Successful Businessman

Umesh Gorai – Physiotherapist

Vishal Karmakar – Businessman

Yudhistir Dutta – Businessman

These inspiring individuals stand as a testament to the transformative impact of Udayan’s efforts in nurturing talent and fostering self-sufficiency among children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Furthermore, Shri Paswan made a heartfelt appeal to Udayan Sanstha to extend its hostel facilities to accommodate children from other leprosy-affected families in Jharkhand and Bengal. He expressed his confidence that such an initiative would enable more children to receive quality education and uplift their lives. On behalf of APAL India, he assured full support and collaboration in advancing this noble cause.

The event concluded on a positive note with Udayan Sanstha expressing its sincere gratitude to Shri Jawahar Ram Paswan for his presence and unwavering support. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to continuing its social service endeavors, ensuring a brighter future for children affected by leprosy.

On 22^nd March 2025, Mr. Jawahar Paswan, Vice President of APAL, and Mr. Ramavarai Sah, Joint Secretary, have actively represented APAL at key national events. Their participation in the National Disability Network (NDN) and NCEPEDPE highlights their commitment to advocating for disability rights and inclusion in policy discussions.

They also attended the prestigious Purple Festival at the President of India’s residence, celebrating inclusivity and the achievements of persons with disabilities. Their presence at these significant events reinforces APAL’s dedication to strengthening advocacy efforts and promoting a more inclusive society.

On 19th March 2025, APAL’s State Committee in Jharkhand, led by State Leader Mohammad Zainuddin and APAL Vice President Jawahar Ram Paswan, participated in a crucial meeting organized by the SABAL Center, Tata Steel Foundation. Senior officials and the CSR Head of Tata Steel were present, expressing their commitment to addressing the issues of families of persons affected by leprosy.

Key Discussions are, Importance of Leprosy Colonies – Due to social ostracization and eviction from ancestral properties, colonies became safe spaces where affected persons could live with dignity.

Major Challenges – Social discrimination, lack of electoral rights, economic insecurity, limited education, difficulty accessing government schemes, and inadequate health services.

Proposed Solutions – Increasing social awareness, restoring electoral rights, providing self-employment opportunities, improving access to government schemes, and strengthening healthcare services.

Key Outcomes are that Tata Steel Foundation officials committed to visiting leprosy colonies on 21 March 2025 to understand the ground reality and implement necessary improvements.

APAL, thanks SABAL Center and Tata Steel Foundation for their continued support in empowering leprosy-affected families.

On 15^th March 2025, APAL’S Telangana State Committee,(SLAP-TS) in collaboration with Reliable Trust, organized a significant service initiative at the Hindu Yuvajana Sangham premises in Peddamberpet, Hyderabad. As part of this program, essential supplies, including food grains, shirts, sarees, and blankets, were distributed to 550 families of individuals affected by leprosy. The event was graced by the presence of Mr. T. Ravi, Director of Reliable Trust, and Mr. Maniyada Ramesh, APAL’S State Coordinator in Telangana. Distinguished guests, including Leprosy Medical Officer (SLO) & JD Director John Babu, Pedda Amberpet Municipal Commissioner Ravinder Reddy, and former Councillor Vidya Vijender Reddy, participated in distributing these essential items to the beneficiaries, ensuring that the aid reached those in need.

A total of 550 individuals from 13 different leprosy colonies across Telangana attended the event along with their families. The program was successfully conducted with the support of Hindu Mitra Yuvajana Sangham President Puli Raju, along with members Pasula Raghu, Prashanth Reddy, Itikala Mahender Reddy, and senior members from Nagireddy Colony, who played an instrumental role in the organization. The leaders of the leprosy colonies, along with Ramesh Maniyada, extended their heartfelt gratitude to Shri T. Ravi and Reliable Trust for their generous support. This initiative not only provided essential resources to the beneficiaries but also highlighted the importance of social responsibility and compassion in uplifting marginalized communities.

On 12^th March 2025, APAL (Association of People Affected by Leprosy), along with the Maharashtra Kusht Pidit Sanghatana, visited the Jeevan Jyothi Society and Vile Parle colony. During this visit, the representatives interacted with the residents, addressing their concerns and discussing various issues faced by individuals affected by leprosy. The visit aimed to understand the challenges encountered by the community and explore possible solutions to improve their living conditions and access to essential services.

As part of the visit, the delegation also met with officials from the Municipal Corporation of Mumbai. A memorandum was submitted to highlight the urgent needs and demands of the leprosy-affected community. The memorandum emphasized the necessity for better healthcare facilities, financial support, and rehabilitation programs to ensure a dignified life for those impacted by the disease.

Prominent figures present during this visit included Maya Ranavare, the President of APAL, along with Mr. Jitedran and other key members of both organizations. Their participation underscored the collective effort to advocate for the rights and well-being of leprosy-affected individuals, ensuring that their voices were heard and addressed by the authorities.

On 10th March 2025, the APAL’s State Committee in Telangana, in collaboration with the Children of Deccan Foundation, organized a significant initiative aimed at supporting education in rural areas. Through the Vidhyadhan Project, study materials were distributed to the students of ZP High School in Pasumamula Village.

The event was graced by the presence of Mr. Vijayender Reddy, Counselor of Peddamberpet, who emphasized the importance of education in shaping young minds and the role of community support in fostering academic growth. The Head Master of ZP High School also participated in the program, acknowledging the collaborative effort of APAL’s State Committee and the Children of Deccan Foundation in uplifting the students. Additionally, Mr. Maniyada Ramesh, APAL’s State Coordinator for Telangana, Pooja, Sameera and Sravan have participated.