History

PRASAD began its philanthropic journey in the 1960s in the remote Tansa Valley, in Maharashtra, India, by rebuilding the dilapidated homes of nearly 1,000 under-privileged families. It continued building houses for those in need well into the 1970s.

In the 1970s, PRASAD volunteers began health care programs through a mobile health clinic. Till then, the nearly 200,000-strong population living in the Tansa Valley, about two-hours drive from Mumbai, had no access to basic medical care.

Today, PRASAD runs a full-fledged hospital, an eye care clinic, AIDS programs and community health programs. Over the years, PRASAD has gone beyond providing basic health care and has sought to bring about a more holistic transformation in the region. PRASAD's current initiatives include programs in the areas of sustainable community development and education, and nutrition among children.

Milestones

1960s: Housing for Villagers in Tansa
PRASAD rebuilt the dilapidated homes of nearly 1,000 poor families, and provided them with food, clothing and blankets. We continued building homes for under-privileged families into the 1970s.

1978: Muktananda Mobile Hospital - India
This clinic-on-wheels began delivering medical care and treatment to villagers in the Tansa Valley, who had no access to such facilities earlier. The clinic currently attends to more than 45,000 patients a year.

1980s: Community Development - India
PRASAD began its community development work when it helped 200 families in Usgaon, Maharashtra, resurface the road, plant trees, rebuild a school, and restock a pond with fish. PRASAD also educated families about how they can take responsibility to improve their own lives.

1984: Milk for Children Project - India
PRASAD started a program to supply enriched milk to children in the Tansa Valley to help them get a healthy start in life. For many children, this milk is their main source of protein and nutrition, and an incentive to attend school.

1984: Tuberculosis Program - India
PRASAD opened a tuberculosis clinic in response to an alarming rise in the number of people affected by the disease in the Tansa Valley. Unchecked and untreated, TB can destroy entire families. PRASAD’s TB program has helped many people – including sole bread-winners and primary care-givers – rebuild their lives.

1990s: Eye Camps - India
PRASAD began conducting eye-camps throughout the Tansa valley to restore the sight of villagers suffering from cataracts.

1991: Scholarship Program - India
The Scholarship and Academic Awards Program provided – and continues to provide -- academic and vocational scholarships for promising elementary and secondary school students in the Tansa Valley.

1991 Mobile Dental Clinic - India
Since most families in the Tansa Valley had inadequate access to dental care, PRASAD launched a mobile dental clinic. The clinic treats approximately 2,000 patients a year.

1992: The PRASAD Project - United States
The PRASAD Project was incorporated in the United States as an international not-for-profit organization to make PRASAD's work available to communities around the world.

1993: Disaster Relief - India
In September 1993, the worst earthquake to have hit the Indian subcontinent in 50 years struck Latur District in Maharashtra. Thousands lost their lives and many more their homes. PRASAD volunteers provided meals to 1,500 people daily and set up temporary housing for 360 families.

1994: Disaster Relief - India
In 1994, PRASAD Chikitsa, in partnership with the local government, distributed 11,700 kg of rice to 2,327 families suffering from monsoon-related diseases and malnutrition.

1994: PRASAD Chikitsa Charitable Trust - India
PRASAD formally established the PRASAD Chikitsa Charitable Trust to expand and continue its health care and community initiatives in the Tansa Valley.

1996: PRASAD Bhojan Meals Program - India
PRASAD Chikitsa began the Bhojan Meals Program in response to the widespread malnutrition among patients attended to by doctors of the mobile hospital. PRASAD volunteers currently serve more than 85,000 meals every year.

1996: PRASAD de México
PRASAD de México was founded to provide humanitarian assistance to the poor people of Mexico, and give them opportunities to become self-sufficient.

1996: PRASAD France
PRASAD France was incorporated to enable Europeans to support and participate in PRASAD's programs through out the world.

1996: Children's Dental Health Program - US
The Children's Dental Health Program was launched in Sullivan County, New York. It provides on-the-spot treatment for children through a mobile dental clinic and education and prevention programs in schools.

1997: Rehabilitation Program - India
PRASAD, in partnership with an Indian government agency, launched a rehabilitation program for the physically disabled. Besides providing them treatment, PRASAD also provided aids such as wheelchairs and crutches to increase their self-reliance.

1997: Eye Camps - Mexico
PRASAD de México conducted its first eye camps to perform operations for cataracts and to treat strabismus (cross eyes).

1998: Disaster Relief - India
When the Tansa Valley was hit by the worst flooding in 50 years, PRASAD Chikitsa volunteers supplied food, clean drinking water, household items and other supplies to hundreds of displaced people.

1998: Cultural Arts Program - India
The Kalakendra Arts and Crafts Program was introduced to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Tansa Valley, while also providing opportunities for self-expression and increasing employment options.

1999: Eye Camp for Children - Mexico
PRASAD de México held a camp for children suffering from strabismus (cross eyes). More than 100 children and young adults were operated upon, and got their vision corrected.

1999: School for Girls - India
To educate girls from economically disadvantaged families, PRASAD Chikitsa expanded the School for Girls in Vajreshwari (Maharashtra) by building additional classrooms and offices.

2000: Second Children's Dental Health Program - US
The second Children's Dental Health Program was launched in the Alum Rock School District in San Jose, California.

2000: Netraprakash Eye Clinic - India
The Netraprakash Eye Clinic was opened in the village of Akloli, in Maharashtra. In 2001, the clinic began sponsoring small-scale eye camps several times a year. Approximately 100 patients are treated at each camp.

2001: Disaster Relief - India
PRASAD Chikitsa organized disaster relief support for those hit by the devastating earthquake in Gujarat. It provided medical assistance and also helped build a new medical center in Anjar.

2001: Diagnostic Center - India
PRASAD Chikitsa opened a new diagnostic center in Akloli, offering X-rays and lab tests to those living in the Tansa Valley.

2001: PRASAD Italia
PRASAD Italia was incorporated to help fund PRASAD programs in India.

2001: Community Development - India
PRASAD Chikitsa's Community Development Program was expanded to include micro-banking, agricultural training, and networking support. These initiatives increase self-reliance and foster greater community involvement in implementing sustainable solutions.

2002: PRASAD Australia
PRASAD Australia was incorporated to raise funds for PRASAD programs in India.

2002: Maternal Child Health Program - India
The main goal of this program was to ensure safe delivery and post-partum recovery for mothers and their babies. PRASAD conducts prenatal, postpartum and neonatal clinics for villagers in the Tansa Valley.

2002: Midwife Training Program - India
PRASAD Chikitsa conducted its first training program for midwives -- known as `dais’ -- in the Tansa Valley.

2002: Disaster Relief - India
During the monsoon in June, the Tansa River flooded the valley. Despite damage to its own facilities, PRASAD Chikitsa provided relief in the form of medical treatment, food, potable water and other assistance to villagers affected by the floods.

2003: PRASAD España
PRASAD España was incorporated. It introduced the Educational Values Project, which promotes universal human values in educating children from any culture, race, tradition or social status. Today, PRASAD España also raises funds for PRASAD’s programs throughout the world.

2004: Gurudev Siddha Peeth Netra Chikitsa Hospital - India
The eye hospital was inaugurated in Ganeshpuri. The hospital performs over 2,000 sight-restoring operations each year and treats more than 35,000 patients.

2004: HIV Program - India
PRASAD Chikitsa began its HIV program in the Tansa Valley.

2005: HIV Program – India
PRASAD Chikitsa commenced a collaborative project with two local Public Health Centers to detect HIV among pregnant women and help save their unborn children. Free prenatal blood tests, including HB, Blood Group, VDRL and HIV, are offered to all pregnant women with informed consent.

2006: Eye Project: Cataract Eradication from Tansa Valley - India
PRASAD Chikitsa’s relentless drive against curable blindness since 1990 has completely eradicated cataract blindness from the Tansa Valley. PRASAD has now expanded the scope of the Eye Project to include the hinterland. It spreads awareness, initiates preventive measures and motivates the people to seek timely and appropriate treatment for all eye ailments.

2006 Community Development - India
PRASAD Chikitsa has helped set up more than 100 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the Tansa Valley under its Community Development Program. These SHGs have been instrumental in bringing about a dramatic social transformation through activities such as micro-banking, micro-financing, health, hygiene and nutrition programs and networking support. The SHGs have inspired local communities to become more self-reliant and involved in creating and sustaining workable development models.

Legal Disclaimers | Privacy Policy