TSF Pune received a request from Bahirwadi village for stationery. School children did not receive any help on that front since the school have been shut for more than 5 months now. But that doesn't mean learning needs to stop. Online classes is difficult here due to logistics issue. On 5th September 2020, which happens to be Teacher's Day, volunteers distributed different kinds of notebooks for different category of students. Young children volunteers also participated and enjoyed distributing candies to their village friends. 30 cotton reusable masks were also given for the teachers and Anganwadi staff. Village headman Mr. Dashrath Bapu Jankar was thankful for the support provided to them.

We are grateful to Mr. Nikhil Amrutlal Shah and Bombay Book Depot, Pune for their sponsorship.

No better way to spend Teacher's Day.

No. of people helped – 123 students

Area Covered: Bahirwadi village-Purandar Taluka, Pune

Items distributed:

1.100 page small notebooks (for Anganwadi children) - 26

2. 200 page small notebooks (for 1st-4th standard children) - 152

3. 200 page A4 size notebooks (for 5th-12th standar)d - 300

4. Pens - 250

5. Pencils-250

6. Eraser - 25

7. Sharpener - 25

TSF Pune volunteers distributed 450 cotton reusable masks to people at different locations in Kondhwa from 22nd August to 5th September, 2020

Areas Covered: Khadi Machine Chowk, Kondhwa slums, Construction site in Kondhwa Khurd

Masks were also distributed also at - Pratibha Tai School, (Kondhwa) and Pune Mahanagar Palika School, Kondhwa on Teacher's day

On 24th September, 2020, TSF volunteers served 5th round of ration supply to Manavya Gokul, a home for HIV+ children, which offers a safe shelter, educational and vocational opportunities, nutritional diet and medical treatment and assistance (ART) for all our children. Gokul is situated in Bhugaon, very close to Pune city. Currently there are 57 children from age group of 1-18 years who now constitute as one big Gokul family. Manavya (Humanity in Marathi Language) is among the few pioneering Non-Government Organizations (NGO) in India, to understand the ramifications of HIV/AIDS outburst in India and to take necessary steps to rehabilitate the innocent children and women affected by this dreaded disease. Manavya continues to be closed to outsiders, given the immunosuppressing drugs given to the children they were still maintaining isolation.

One volunteer was also accompanied by his family including four legged Brownie.

No. of people helped – 57 children and 10 staff

Items provided - Ghee 4 kg, Dates 3 kg, Dried dates powder 3 kg, Dried coconut 5 kg, Oil 30L, Wheat 60 Kg, Rice 50 kg

On 24th September, 2020, 5th round of ration supply to Aniket specialty was conducted. Aniket was started by Ms. Kalpana Varpe whose unfettered determination, hard work and selfless efforts are responsible for helping scores of individuals from the age of 4 years to 46 years in the format of a residential rehabilitation center and school.

Inmates at Aniket happily interacted with us with their masks on. They displayed candles, diyas and rangolis made by the children which us volunteers delightfully purchased. One volunteer had his family accompanying him including the four legged Brownie. Children were delighted to have Brownie amidst them

No. of people helped – 55 differently abled individuals and 10 staff

Items in the kit - Peanut 10 Kg, Oil 30 L, Besan 5 Kg, Sugar 20 kg, Tea powder 2 kg, Ghee 2 Kg, Wheat 90 kg

Ms. Rajani Bhat had raised the plight of artists through many means including local Marathi newspaper. The request reached TSF Pune through local Corporator Ms. Madhuri Sahasrabuddhe. On 19th October, 2020 provision kits were provided for theatre artists and support staff. 100+ out of the 1000 plus most needy artists were identified (no earning member in the family). 124( for 496 people) ration kits were distributed keeping in mind the festival season ahead. Hand painted terracotta diyas painted by children of Aniket, an institution that has been supported by the Satsang Foundation throughout the pandemic, were also distributed to these artists during this activity. This not only helped ‘Aniket’ financially but also brought joy to the artists.

Funds for the artists of the Akhil Bharatiya Natya Parishad had been sanctioned but have not reached these Pune artists till date. Ration given once was very substandard.

Most of them were very passionate about their work and have earned a name for themselves through their body of work. But they do not see any opportunity to work coming up before December.

One artist has even started a wada pav stall near the balgandharva theatre to meet his daily needs. The plight of these artists has been covered in newspapers too. Artists showed their gratitude through kind words and one amongst them also presented a small mimicry act. Dance artists also offered to put up free performance for terminally ill patients and/or underprivileged people including children

Local corporator, Madhuri tai Sahasrabuddhe also graced the occasion and thanked the Satsang foundation for their contribution to the cause if these artists. Ms. Rajani Bhat and other artists also appreciated TSF efforts towards the artists.

Items in the kit: Wheat Flour 5 Kg, Rice 4 Kg, Bathing Soap 2, Sugar 2 Kg, Chili Powder 100 Gm, Salt 1Kg, Turmeric Powder 100 Gm, Rai 100 gm, Tur Dal 1kg, Oil 1.5L, Maida 1 kg, Rawa 1 kg, Besan 1 kg, 2 Diwali diyas

TSF Pune received request for education support, from COEPian Foundation and education officer GOM - Kendra Pramukh, to Adivasi students of primary government schools in remote areas of Igatpuri Taluka of district Nashik.

Students targeted- 1st to 4th standard.

On 23rd November, 2020 TSF distributed 50 FM radio sets in 3 different Zilla parishad schools of Igatpuri Taluka.

1. Vaitarannagar school -15 students

Vaitarna(8), Nagosali(7)

2. Adachiwadi school - 14 students

Adachi Wadi(5), Chafyachya wadi(2), Khadad wadi(2), Koradwadi(5)

3. Valvihir school - 21 students

Valvihir(10),Marutiwadi(9),Payar wadi(1), Bairbachi wadi(1)

TSF distributed 50 basic FM radio sets which can be used to make the students hear the radio classes operated by GOI and GOM. This will help them to hear and learn their curriculum additionally guided by the teacher.

The unit will play audio lessons while the classes remain suspended. In long term and usual regular class routine this will supplement the lessons being taught by the teachers. The FM device is not a complicated one and can be maintained at the adivasi level.

An add-on to this FM radio is a Pendrive stored with the 1st to 4th class curriculum. The data is about 10GB.

Two Government Education officers Mr. Vishwas Nandurkar(Kendra Pramukh), Mr. Shivaji Ahire were also present during the distribution activity along with two persons from COEPians Foundation namely Mr. Pankaj Jadhav and Mr. Vijay Jadhav.

The TSF volunteers were warmly welcomed by all the schools. Students were initially a little shy but once we distributed candies they happily interacted with us. A disciplined lot and they have quickly adopted to new norms of using mask and social distancing in public. We also got a chance to understand the village life in these areas.

On 29th Nov. 2020 TSF Pune, had a heartwarming, satisfying experience when some of us visited Maherwat, an old age home near Dhayari Pune to distribute warm clothes for winters.

On our last visit here for Diwali celebrations while discussing with the founder member and chairman Mrs.Charuta Kadurkar, we found out that the aged inmates are in need of warm woollen clothes considering winter season ahead. TSF Pune decided to donate hooded sweatshirts/jackets to Maherwat residents. We gathered the details about the number of residents, their size and their names to order tailor-made hooded sweatshirts/jackets.

For TSF Pune, it was one of the heart touching experiences going through this process. The sweatshirts turned out beautifully to give the residents, warm and personal touch. We embossed each resident's name on the sweatshirt.

The inmates were touched by this gesture and their reactions were indeed gratifying. Overwhelmed with the emotions, one gentleman mentioned that till date no one had even offered him a single flower as a gift. It was not only the residents of Maherwat but also the TSF volunteers felt that the kind of work Maherwat is doing is exceptional.

These moments of service to spread warmth and love are the most precious ones that we will cherish forever in our hearts.

No. of people helped: 11

TSF, Pune on 12th Dec. 2020, visited Aniket, a home for children with special needs, to conduct two activities. 1. Monthly ration supply delivery 2. Friendly yoga session for the children.

We donated rations for the month and spent some time making arts and craft before expending a lot of energy in trying to keep up with the asanas.

Sanjay Ostwal, an Iyengar trained yoga teacher, conducted a super interactive session with the kids. Considering the special needs of these children he communicated with them in a very friendly manner. He taught them various postures imitating animals like monkey, donkey, and lion. The goal was to introduce these children with Pranayama and Asanas. The children enjoyed it thoroughly and the session brought a smile on the children's faces. Kids were so happy they started cheering and giggling loudly. Kids got so enthusiastic by the time session was over that they requested Mr Ostwal to visit again. Few girls danced to Tare Zameen Par song for us.

Founder of the Aniket Mrs Kalpana Changdev Varpe also showed us a few handicrafts and Diwali decorations made by the children as part of their self-sustaining training. Some of the young children are trained to manufacture, use and throw foil coated paper dishes and bowls. Aniket as an organisation wants to be financially self-sufficient and wants to make these children independent. We are looking forward to finding some way to help Aniket in this task. If anyone from our readers wants to help we are sharing details right below.

Aniket Sevabhavi Sanstha

Paud-Mulshi Road, Old Jakat Naka,

Near Surbhi Hotel, Bavdhan, Pune-411021

Contact: 99211 87127

Indeed it was a wonderful chance for the kids.

Rani their pet kitten who also wanted to be a part of the evening activity strutted around approvingly before settling down in a Satsangis lap! A young volunteer Sanavi also demonstrated some yoga asanas with exceptional skill.

We are grateful to Mrs. Vijaya Uddhav Jadge for sponsoring the food ration supplies. TSF volunteers also provided for personal hygiene and washing/cleaning provisions.

No. of people helped – 55 differently abled individuals and 10 staff members

Grocery Items: Oil 30 Liters, Sugar 30Kg, Pulses 45Kg, Peanuts 15Kg, Coconut 5Kg, Jeera 1Kg, Mohari 1Kg, Poha 10Kg, Coconut Oil 3 Liters, Detergent Powder 20Kg, Dish Washing Powder 2Kg, Bathing Soaps 15, Vim Bar-6, Rin Bar 6, Toothpaste 8, Toilet Cleaner 4.