Krishna Palace, Haveli 1&2: The evening started at 6 p.m. with a happy mingling of members accompanied with soft drinks and snacks. Fun and games (four corners and musical chairs) which was enjoyed by the young and old followed.
At 7.30 p.m. Kavita Shanbhag started the formal program with a prayer. Our President Dr. Bhim Singhal then addressed the audience appreciating the work being done by Dr. Pravina Shah and her team.  Dr. Pravina Shah welcomed everyone and announced that national awareness this year was focused on children and women with epilepsy. A presentation by Carol D’Souza on the current work being done by our Association followed. It focused on the E-STAR program (Epilepsy Student & Teacher Awareness Reachout) being conducted at various schools in Mumbai, the Rural Camps and Support Group Meetings.
We then felicitated our supporters – Dr. Wagle, Dr. Dhruv and Hemaben for their support in conducting the Rural Camp.  Of course if it were not for Hemaben and Ashokbhai who provide us with the infrastructure, these camps at Pen would not happen.  Ruchi Saxena on behalf of UCB Pharma for their tremendous support to us these last two years and Dr. Joy Desai were then appreciated. Samman member Ashish and his newly wedded wife Bhavna and Sharvari Khot whose birthday coincides with NED were given gifts to a rousing applause.
What a woman with epilepsy and her caregiver go through was then aptly brought out by Kavita Shanbhag with her mono act. Her portrayal was so real it brought tears to our eyes. Dr. Pravina Shah then had a chat with women with epilepsy asking them questions which brought out the challenges faced by them epecially with regard to coping after onset of epilepsy, education, getting employment, finding eligible suitors and getting married. This was totally unrehearsed and the women spoke from their hearts. We ended the formal program with the Samman theme song ‘Sun, Sun, Sun’.
A sumptuous vegetarian dinner followed.
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