Every year, the Samman Association comes together not just to fulfil its formal obligations as an organisation, but to pause, reflect, and celebrate — the people, the progress, and the purpose that keeps this community going. This year’s Annual General Body Meeting was no different, and if anything, it reminded us just how far we’ve come.

FY 2025–26 was a full and meaningful year for Samman. Over 30 activities and events, 6 rural medical camps, and 12 support group meetings. Our membership has grown to 495 strong, and with 18 wonderful new members joining us this year, the community continues to expand with warmth and purpose.

One of the undisputed highlights of the year was the Jiyo Samman Se Run 2026, held at the iconic Bandra Fort. With over 1,200 participants showing up in purple, running and walking for epilepsy awareness, it was a morning that felt nothing short of electric. Aditya Mehta, who has been instrumental in bringing this event to life year after year, shared what this edition meant, not just in numbers, but in the conversations it sparked and the visibility it brought to our community.

It’s been a proud year on the international front too.

Samman was featured in Hesperian’s publication “Epilepsy and Seizures: Building Care in the Community” — a globally distributed guide for community health workers and NGOs. The book was launched in April 2026 by the International Bureau of Epilepsy, and our very own Treasurer Pooja Mehta Nandi represented Samman at the launch. Seeing our community’s work acknowledged in a resource that will reach health workers across the world is something we’re deeply proud of.

Closer to home but equally significant, Samman co-organised the International Neuropsychology Training course at KEM Hospital and NH SRCC Children’s Hospital in Mumbai this March bringing together expert faculty from the UK, Canada, Australia, and the USA. In a beautiful gesture of community pride, paintings by Samman patients Nitika Poddar and Ananya Harlankar were gifted to the international delegates.

Our activities have also been recognised on the Knowledge Hub of the International Bureau of Epilepsy — a testament to the quality and consistency of what this community creates.

The meeting was also an opportunity to celebrate a moment of immense pride for our community. Dr. Pravina Shah, Founder of Samman Association, was honoured with the “Hippocrates of India” Award 2025 by the Times Now Doctors’ Day Conclave — recognising over five decades of unwavering dedication to epilepsy care and advocacy.

Every community has its quiet pillars — the people who show up, year after year, without fanfare, holding space for everyone around them. This year, Samman took a moment to recognise and felicitate some of these incredible individuals who we are lucky to call our members! Thank you for being the heart of this community.

To everyone who attended, contributed, volunteered, ran, painted, planned, or simply showed up — thank you. Samman is only as strong as its people, and this year has shown us we are very strong indeed.

Here’s to FY 2026–27. 💜