Yann Tavernier (Round Table International President) present at the occasion
Pune, Friday 11th May 2018: Today, it was a very emotional moment for all who were present at the Round Table India Press conference at the Poona Hospital. There were over 100 guests and well-wishers present in the afternoon to cheer 4 children who were getting a second innings in life.
Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder characterised by less oxygen-carrying protein (haemoglobin) and fewer red blood cells in the body than normal. This is now an initiative taken over by PSRT 177 by adopting four under privileged children from Pune suffering from Thalassemia to create an awareness amongst the society about this dreadful disease.
Lalit Pittie (Chairman Round Table India, PSRT 177) has initiated the Thalassemia awareness program in his regime as the Chairman of Round Table India. He has also been instrumental in roping in Bollywood Actor Jackie Shroff as the Brand Ambassador for the Round Table India. Jackie is incidentally also the ambassador for Thalassemia for the Govt Of India.
Also present at the occasion was another special Guest, Yann Tavernier (Round Table International President) who flew in specially for this program and other dignitaries and doctors at the Poona Hospital.
The program commenced with the lighting of the lamp followed by the welcome speech which was delivered by Lalit Pittie. He said “It is an honour to have the Round Table International President amongst us for this special occasion as this is yet another milestone achieved by the Round Table India by adopting four underprivileged children suffering from Thalassemia. We have been contributing in the field of education and now to be able to contribute and uplift the society in yet another aspect brings us immense joy. This of course wouldn’t be possible without our medical expert Dr.Vijay Ramanan and the motivation and support of our brand ambassador, Jackie Shroff”
The four kids who have been adopted by RTI are Shweta Talwalkar, Samarth Manjule, Parth Phalke and Megha Sejpal who have been identified by the Maharashtra Society for Thallassemia.
This program was in association with a website called as the India Vocal.com
Round Table India, formed in the year 1962, is a non political, non sectarian, non-profit NGO which comprises of young achievers in the age group of 18- 40. Driven by the aims and objects of community service, self development, fellowship and fostering international relations, this unique movement works through ‘Tables’ comprising 20-25 members each. Round Table India is an active member of the worldwide organisation of Round Table International.
Speaking at the occasion, Yann Tavernier (Round Table India, International President and Round Table India Compassionate brand ambassador) said, “This cause holds a special place in my heart as I believe that children are the future and seeing the dreadful effects of this disease, no child should have to live with the stigma of facing it all their life. Hence, we at Round Table are doing our best to make the best medical treatments available for the under privileged children”.
Jackie Shroff (Brand ambassador, Round Table India) who communicated to the audience through an audio visual presentation conveyed his support for this cause and his best wishes to the team for spreading the awareness amongst the society.
Dr. Vijay Ramanan of Ruby hospital who has been working extensively on this cause for several years is now associated with Round Table India and is contributing in a huge way for the betterment of the children suffering from the disease.
This would not have been possible without the generous support from our donors who we are extremely grateful to.
Interested donors can donate their blood stem cells at the DATRI Pune centre.