Description: In this meeting Prerna members, Dr. Bhavin Mehtaliya (Nephrologist), Smt. Pragna Shah (Writer : Cancer Maro Param Sakha), Shri Krunal Shahstri, Shri Kamal Thakar (from Swar Gunjarav) and Shri Arvind Katpara from Make A Wish Foundation were present. The programme started with bhajan sung by Krunal Shastri and his companions. Thenafter Mrs. Prgna Shah, who has won over breast cancer, shared her experiences with Prerna members. She emphasised by saying , “One who is passing from any kind of incurable disease, should never get demotivated. They must find out work which one likes, and think always positively by accepting the reality”. Her book was given free of cost to all Prerna members . Dr. Bhavin Mehtaliya delivered his speech by giving information which was useful for all Prerna members. There was a session of question answers. At last all departed by taking light refreshments.

India Renal Foundation thanks Mr. Jagrut Bhagdev, Director of Backbone Enterprises Ltd for giving donation for books, Mr. Mayur Parikh, Gujarat Co-Operative Milk Marketing Federation Limited, for free distribution of butter milk and Fresenius Kabi Ltd. for co-sponsoring this programme.

Description: Shri Divyangbhai Thakor and his troupe sang devotional songs and entertained the audience. Dr. Jagdip Shah, Nephrologist, then answered the questions of Prerna members. Ms. Nalini, Director, Make a Wish Foundation was also present at the meeting. She told that her foundation will attempt to fulfill the wishes of kidney failure patients aged 3-18.

Description: We had the third Prerna meeting in Baroda. Dr M M Rajapurkar, Medical Director, Muljibhai Urological and Nephrological Hospital, and Dr Yogesh Bhargav, Nephrologist, were present as chief guest and guest of honour respectively. Shri Anil Popat, Volunteer – IRF, talked about “Various emotions that kidney failure patients go through”. He talked about how to identify these negative emotions and wipe them off using other positive emotions. Shri Suryakant Vyas from the Laughing Club had a session of various types of laughing and physical exercises for the Prerna members. Prof. Love Kumar also shared his thoughts on the process of rehabilitation through Prerna. (Photo attached)

Description: Shri Valabhai Gajjar this time entertained the Prerna members of Ahmedabad. Dr Lalit Shah, Nephrologist, spared his precious time for answering the questions of Prerna members. We are thankful to Saurashtra Dining Hall for sponsoring nasta and Amul for Amul Cool Milk. (No photo)

Description: Shri Valabhai Gajjar, humorist, entertained the audience by sharing jokes and incidents in his own unique style. Prerna members introduced themselves and shared the pain they were going through by singing songs like ‘Zindagi pyar ka geet hai ise har dil ko gana padega, zindagi gum ka sagar bhi hai, haske us par jana padega.” Everyone had tears in their eyes when this was sung by Ms. Kamini Panchal, herself a kidney failure patient who double up as a dialysis technician at her dialysis center. We are thankful to Maharaja Ranjitsinghji Gaekwad for being so helpful by permitting us to use Kirti Mandir for this noble cause. (No photo)

Description: This was for the first time that Prerna meeting was being organized outside Ahmedabad. More than 25 members and their relatives attended it. Mr Manoj Desai and group gave a musical programme for the audience. Newspaper like Divya Bhaskar and the Times of India carried the coverage of the programme. (No photo)

Description: Dr Jitendra Adhia, a well-known mind-body expert, was our guest. He addressed the Prerna members about how to control the mind and achieve unbelievable results. A record 50 patients attended the meeting with their attendants. We were fortunate enough to receive a donation from Shri Shubhangbhai Shah for giving Dr. Adhia’s book ‘Prerna nu zaranu’ to each Prerna member free-of-cost. This book will surely have its impact on the lives and thought processes of these members. (Oasis April June 05)

Description: We had invited Dr Pravina Shah, Nephrologist, to speak on the subject of Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD). Shri Hemang Kachhia from Claris Lifesciences was present to let the Prerna members know about the technical aspects of the product. After the presentation Dr Pravina Shah and Shri Hemang Kachhia answered questions from the audience. (Oasis Jan-Mar 2005)

Description: We had the privilege to have Mr. Suresh Patel with us. He is a coporate trainer by profession. He motivated the members by the way of examples and stories to live life fully even after kidney failure. (Oasis July-Dec 2004)

Description: Prerna volunteer Shri Piyush Shukla arranged a devotional and inspirational song programme. We invited Shri Ashokbhai, Shri Mayankbhai and Shri Piyushbhai Brahmbhatt. They gave a new ‘mantra’ of life to Prerna members of thinking positively and not fearing death. They shared with the audience that death is equal for a patient and a non-patient. It may happen that a non-patient goes out of the hall, something falls on him and he may die, where as the patient will live on and on. (Oasis July-Dec 2004)

Description: Prerna members went on a picnic to Shrinath Party Plot in Gandhinagar. Along with the picnic, they visited the Mother Dairy and Apollo Hospital also.

The visit the Mother Dairy was inspiring. They say the whole process of milk being procured to the products being dispatched. They also saw the manufacturing of ice-cream, milk powder and milk pouches.

The reception at Apollo Hospital was very warm. After letting everyone see the facilities in the hospital, a question answer session was arranged where Dr Sanjeev Mehrotra, Urologist, answered the questions of the Prerna members. Tea/coffee and snacks were offered at the end of the session.

While returning all the members played ‘Antakshari’ and set the mood of the evening. The picnic ended with everyone coming to know everyone else. One good day had passed in their lives.

Description: When we see magic, we become excited and spell bound. When this happens we go to our childhood. The same magic spell was cast by Shri K Lal,,Jr., by his magic show. Every member remembered his childhood. They were also accompanied by their children who enjoyed the programme more than anybody else. Shri K Lal. Jr. was impressed by the strength with which the members of Prerana lived their lives inspite of the obvious threat of kidney failure.

Description: Laughter is the best medicine. This was proved beyond doubt by Shri Mahesh Vaidya through his humors and jokes. The atmosphere became light and everybody was delighted. We also played a game in which a paper with drawings of many objects was given to the members. they had to write as many things which started from ‘K’. The maximum entries in 2 minutes got a prize.

Description: It was by far the most extravagant Prerana meeting of all. Shri Dhavalbhai, Shri Darshanbhai, Ms. Niketa Ghia, all Prerana members, by their vocal performance enthralled all other members who were present. Mrs. Purvi Shah, also surprised everybody by singing her song to perfection. Almost 35 prerana members participated in the programme. Dr Lalit Shah, Dr Vishakha Shah, Dr Pankaj Shah and Dr Pravina Shah honoured the occasion with their gracious presence. The food for the programme was sponsored by Havmor Ltd. We are grateful to them for their contribution.

Description: Dr. Neebha Haribhakti, Ophthalmologist, gave a brief session about eyes. She talked about how to take care of eyes after kidney failure and particularly after kidney transplantation. She urged the members to pledge their eyes after death so that they can be useful to the society even after their demise.Shri Bipinji from Shreyas Foundation talked to the members about the benefits of yoga. He also gave a session onYog Nidra in which all members participated.

Description: It was a beautiful experience for the Prerna members when they enjoyed the picnic with their relatives at Sola Bhagwat Vidyapeeth, Ahmedabad. We could observe the real happiness on everyones face. We could witness the joy of being in a group, the joy of being away from all the routine activities and the joy of being in an entirely new world in their expressions.

Description: Shri Siraj Rangwala, a well-known humarist and social worker, was with the members. He showed a very simple way of living life through his humorous examples and illustrations. The members felt elated and vowed to change their perception of life after the programme.

Description: Smt Namrata Shodhan gave a wonderful performance by singing beautiful melodies on Lord Krishna. Every participant felt that he is with lord and got a solace to live life happily. The participants also played games like Musical Chairs and Fire on the mountain and entertained themselves.

Description: Swamiji talked to the member of Prerna on keeping a positive attitude towards life even after kidney failure. He made his point clear by illustrating it through a series of examples and stories. Then after he talked on various yogasana which will be helpful to the Prerna members to keep themselves healthy. At the end he actually taught the members Yog Nidra.

Description: Around 25 prerna members participated. Dr Lalit Shah delivered a talk on Nutrition for the members. A small play was organised by volunteer of IRF to inspire Prerna members that life can be lived and enjoyed even after such dreaded disease. Scientific Diagnostic Center (SDC) had offered special discount of 45% on all routine tests for members of Prerna. SDC also sponsored the programme expenses.

Description: It was really a great day when we organised the first meeting of Prerna. The auspicious day was 20^th October 2002. Around 20 Prerna members participated with their attendants. They were briefed about various activities of IRF. Dr Lalit Shah gave a speech to educate as well as to motivate the participants. Ms. Niketa Ghia, a role model and leader of this association shared her personal experiences to encourage other patients. The programme concluded with a prayer by Ms. Anjel Gadhvi.