NEWS & EVENTS

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.

On 10^th March 2025, APAL’s State Committee in Madhya Pradesh took a significant step in advocating for the rights of persons affected by leprosy by facilitating their access to biometric ration cards. Many individuals affected by leprosy have lost their fingers due to ulcers, making it difficult for them to provide fingerprints, a mandatory requirement for availing government social entitlements, including food security benefits. This long-standing issue has prevented several people from accessing their rightful benefits, leaving them in a vulnerable state. Recognizing this challenge, APAL intervened to ensure that these individuals from Sevada Aashram Machla, Indore, were not deprived of their essential needs due to a technical limitation.

To address this issue, APAL’s State Committee in Madhya Pradesh organized a visit to the Collector’s Office, taking affected individuals along to advocate for a viable solution. With persistent efforts and dialogue, they successfully convinced the authorities to accept an alternative biometric verification method—iris scanning—for the submission of their Know Your Customer (KYC) details. This breakthrough ensured that individuals who could not provide fingerprints due to their condition were still able to access their ration cards and other social benefits without further obstacles. This initiative not only resolved an immediate issue but also set a precedent for similar cases, strengthening the movement for equal rights and inclusion of persons affected by leprosy in government welfare programs.

On 10^th March 2025, On the occasion of International Women’s Day on March 8, APAL’s State Committee in Telangana, in collaboration with the Children of Deccan Foundation, organized a special awareness program to highlight the significance of women’s empowerment and child protection. The event brought together women from diverse fields, fostering discussions on the challenges they face and the need for collective action to promote gender equality. Through interactive sessions and insightful talks, participants shared their experiences, emphasizing the importance of education, economic independence, and legal awareness in ensuring women’s rights and safety.

Key dignitaries graced the program, including Mr. Ashok Kumar, founder of the Children of Deccan Foundation; Mr. Malkanna, Child Protection Officer; Ms. Mary, a dedicated women’s welfare activist and NGO representative and Maniyada Ramesh APAL’s State Coordinator in Telangana. They highlighted the urgent need for policies and community initiatives that support women’s growth and protect children from exploitation. The event concluded with a strong commitment to continuing efforts toward empowering women and fostering a safer, more inclusive society where every woman and child can thrive.

On 9^th March 2025, APAL, in collaboration with the Karuna Project and Stepping Stone Charitable Trust, celebrated World Women’s Day with great enthusiasm at Sanjay Nagar, Borivali, Mumbai. The event aimed to recognize and honor the strength, resilience, and contributions of women, especially those from marginalized communities. The celebration was marked by inspiring speeches, cultural performances, and interactive sessions that highlighted women’s empowerment, gender equality, and the need for continued support in their journey toward a better future.

Ms. Maya Ranavare, President of APAL, along with Dr. Farzana Mulla and the residents of the colony, actively participated in the event. Ms. Ranavare emphasized the importance of providing equal opportunities to women, particularly those affected by social stigma and health challenges. Dr. Mulla shared valuable insights on women’s health and well-being, stressing the significance of education and awareness in improving their quality of life. The residents also came forward to share their experiences and stories of resilience, making the event more engaging and impactful.

The celebration concluded with a pledge to continue working towards women’s rights, inclusion, and empowerment. APAL, the Karuna Project, and Stepping Stone Charitable Trust reaffirmed their commitment to supporting women through advocacy, healthcare, and skill-building initiatives. The event served as a reminder that collective efforts can bring meaningful change and uplift communities, ensuring a more inclusive and equitable society.

On 5^th March 2025, The Association of People Affected by Leprosy (APAL) continues its dedicated efforts to address the medical and social challenges faced by individuals affected by leprosy across India. In line with its commitment to ensuring better healthcare and support systems, APAL, along with its State Committee in Maharashtra, recently met with Dr. Ramji Adkekar, the Additional Director of Leprosy, Maharashtra State. The meeting, held at his office, focused on discussing the pressing medical issues faced by persons affected by leprosy and identifying permanent solutions to improve their healthcare access and quality of life.

Ms. Maya Ranavare, President of APAL, and Mr. Jitedran from the APAL State Committee in Maharashtra led the discussions, highlighting critical concerns such as timely diagnosis, availability of essential medicines, and improved healthcare facilities in leprosy colonies. They emphasized the need for strengthened government intervention to ensure that individuals affected by leprosy receive sustained medical care without facing discrimination or delays. The delegation also explored strategies to enhance rehabilitation programs and community-based healthcare initiatives to prevent further complications among patients.

Dr. Ramji Adkekar acknowledged the concerns raised by APAL and assured his support in addressing them effectively. He expressed his willingness to collaborate with APAL to implement systematic solutions, including improving the distribution of Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT), ensuring regular health check-ups, and providing better ulcer care management. The meeting marked a significant step toward bridging the gap between government health initiatives and the needs of leprosy-affected individuals in Maharashtra, reinforcing APAL’s commitment to advocating for sustainable healthcare solutions for the community.

On 5^th March 2025, APAL’s State Committee in Telangana, in collaboration with local donors including Marwadi Madam Brandam, recently organized a heartwarming initiative aimed at supporting the underserved. Essential household items were distributed to 32 leprosy-affected families residing in Santosh Nagar Leprosy Colony in Peddampet Pasumamula. This outreach effort not only provided much-needed daily necessities but also helped restore hope and dignity among the community members during challenging times.

APAL extends its sincere gratitude to the local donors for their generous support and active participation in this noble cause. A special thanks is due to Maniyada Ramesh, APAL’s State Coordinator in Telangana, whose leadership and dedicated involvement were crucial to the successful execution of the distribution. His commitment ensured that the assistance reached the families efficiently, making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need.

On 21 February 2025, the APAL State Committee in Jharkhand submitted a formal application to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Sub-Divisional Officer (SDM) concerning eviction notices issued to residents of both the Domgarh and BMP Leprosy Colonies. Additionally, a visit to the Dhanbad Municipal Corporation was conducted to assess applications under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) issued an eviction notice to the Domgarh Leprosy Colony, which necessitated an appeal for intervention. Similarly, the Railway Department notified the BMP Leprosy Colony, prompting discussions with administrative officials regarding potential rehabilitation solutions. A meeting was convened with the Additional District Magistrate (ADM), during which representatives urged the authorities to acknowledge the residents’ rights and to refrain from executing forced evictions in the absence of alternative housing options.

Officials at the Dhanbad Municipal Corporation reviewed the status of housing applications, discussing the requisite measures to secure benefits for the affected families. The efforts were led by APAL representatives, including Vice President Jawahar Ram Paswan and Jharkhand Leader Madhusudan Tiwari.

Authorities have been urged to undertake appropriate actions, and follow-up meetings are planned to ensure rehabilitation support and long-term housing security for displaced residents.