Social Work

Arun Sarnaik's Social Work

Arun Shankarrao Sarnaik (4 October 1935–21 June 1984) was not only a celebrated Marathi actor, playback singer, and accomplished tabla and harmonium player—he was also widely recognized for his commitment to social welfare, especially through his association with Anandgram, an NGO based in Maharashtra.

Sarnaik was closely associated with the Anandgram charitable institution, where he actively supported and assisted underprivileged individuals, including working alongside nursing and patient care efforts.

While his primary work and fame lay in acting, he never shied away from using his influence and personal time to contribute to philanthropic causes. He was generous with both his time and resources, preferring to give to the people in need. He donated savings and volunteered time beyond his film/stage
commitments.

Arun Sarnaik’s way of combining artistic talent with heartfelt social service made him a respected figure beyond entertainment. He exemplified how public personalities can engage in meaningful philanthropic work, grounded in humility and direct involvement.

Although Arun Sarnaik tragically passed away in 1984, his legacy and ethos have been carried forward through the dedicated social work of his daughter, Savita Sarnaik-Naiknavare, his only surviving child, established Sneh Dham, an initiative serving senior citizens in Pune.

Social work with Baba Amte.

Who was Baba Amte

Born on December 26, 1914, Hinganghat, Wardha district, Maharashtra, British India—died February 9, 2008, Anandwan, Maharashtra, India) was an Indian lawyer and social activist who devoted his life to India’s poorest and least powerful and especially to the care of those individuals who suffered from leprosy. His work earned him numerous international awards, notably, the 1988 UN Human Rights Prize, a share of the 1990 Templeton Prize, and the 1999 Gandhi Peace Prize.

Amte was born into an affluent Brahman family and grew up in a life of privilege. After earning a law degree in 1936, he set up a legal practice. In 1942 he acted as a defense lawyer for those imprisoned for participating in Mahatma Gandhi’s Quit India campaign against the British occupation of India. Influenced by Gandhi’s nonviolent fight for justice, Amte abandoned his legal career in the 1940s and settled in Gandhi’s ashram in Sevagram, Maharashtra, India, working among the downtrodden.

After an encounter with a man suffering from advanced leprosy, Amte’s attention turned to that disease. He studied leprosy, worked at a leprosy clinic, and took a course on the disease at the Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine. In 1949 Amte founded Anandwan, an ashram dedicated to the treatment, rehabilitation, and empowerment of leprosy patients. The center came to encompass programs in health care, agriculture, small-scale industry, and conservation and to serve people with disabilities.

Social Work by Dr. Savita Sarnaik- Naiknavare

Snehdham: Bringing Joy & Care to Senior Citizens

Snehdham Pune was started by Dr. Savita Ranjit Naiknavare and Dr. Anuradha Pramod Naralkar at Apte Road in April 2019. It is a recreation center for senior citizens, dedicated to promoting their well-being and alleviating loneliness. It provides opportunities for social engagement, physical activity, and mental stimulation, ensuring a fulfilling lifestyle for its members.

At present Snehdham is located at Paud Road—Bharati Vidyapeeth English Medium School.

This Social work includes—

Daily recreational programming, from music, storytelling, and poetry recitals to dance and laughter therapy.

Key Activities at Snehdham

Include daily evening sessions fostering social bonds and discussions. Quarterly full-body checkups, dental and ophthalmic care, elderly vaccinations, dementia diagnosis, and holistic body evaluations.

Chair yoga, physiotherapy, dance therapy, meditation, pranayam, stone painting workshops, nostalgic bioscope sessions, vocal karaoke lessons, Kahoot and memory games, festival celebrations, celebrity visits, lectures on medical and legal topics, photography sessions, international movies, carrom, cards, library, monthly one-day trips, birthday celebrations, and other festive occasions.

In their address, Dr. Naralkar and Dr. Naiknavare said that these events at the three branches of Snehdham are a testament to the impact Snehdham has had over the past 6 years, offering solace and support to many seniors. Snehdham’s fourth branch is soon to be operational at the Sancheti education hub at Thube Park. They have also announced the opening of their 5th branch in Balewadi at Tapas Elder Care, Sai Chowk, Balewadi, Pune.

Operating from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, 6 days a week, all the centers have become a hub for senior citizens to engage in meaningful activities and foster social connections. Snehdham has become a beacon of care and companionship for seniors, enriching their lives with meaningful activities in a vibrant community.

Renowned persons who have visited and shared their experiences and thoughts with Snehdham members include, Actor Nitish Bharadwaj, Archana Nevrekar, Smita Jaykar, Deepak Shikarpur, Prataprao Pawar, Nirmala Samant, Smita Thakare, Gayatridevi Patwardhan, Dr. Sancheti, Dr. Vinod Shah, Pratibha Modak, Medha Purav Samant of Annapurna Parivar.

Eminent personalities and foundations which are supporting Snehdham movement are NG Naralkar foundation, Innoven Capital India Pvt Ltd, Vascon Moorthy foundation, Kadam family of Bharati Vidyapeeth, Bhagyashree patil DY patil Vidyapeeth, Sancheti hospital and Sancheti healthcare academy, Kolte Patil, Prajakta Wadhavkar, Tapas Elder care Pune, Vascon Engineers and Naiknavare developers pvt Ltd.

MED FOR ALL, from Mumbai, distributed essential medication, including meds for hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disorders, B12 deficiency, calcium supplements, and multivitamins to over 45 senior citizens. Meds For All is an initiative of 16-year-old Vedant Prabhat Agrawal to help the elderly and needy have access to much-needed medicines. Bridging the gap with technology, Vedant brings together the manufacturers and those in need.

The Snehdham initiative is a significant step towards ensuring the health and wellness of Snehdham’s members. The 1st anniversary celebration of the Vascon Moorthy, Snehdham branch at Kalyani Nagar on 22nd January was graced by the professional singer Rajashree Tamhankar, who, accompanied by her talented associates, created an atmosphere of warmth and togetherness, leaving the audience spellbound.

Snehdham plans to take an 80-year-old member to take part in the Ageless Wonders Walk and Jog Marathon with 50 more senior members on the 23rd of February.

Branches of Snehdham

1) Paud road- Bharati Vidyapeeth English Medium School, Pune

Shrikant Kulkarni +91 98817 36058

2) Apte Road—next to Kohinoor Executive Hotel out gate, Pune.

Varsha Date—+91 78756 08900

3) Kalyani Nagar—Golden Nest

Yogesh Kamble – +91 98225 1569

At the Apte road Snehdham branch, operational for 6 years.