ANANDOTSAV 2024
As the word itself suggests, it was an Utsav of Anand (Joy). A joyful occasion for all those Victors who have reversed their diabetes. This celebration is held by Diabetes Free Forever, once a year to celebrate the victory of patients over diabetes. Held at Harshall Hall, Kothrud, Pune on 10th March, 2024, the function was attended by over 500 people from all across the state and country. The welcome to the hall was made by wonderful staff of DFF.
The Victors numbering 219 were categorised into different groups like DFF Victors A, B and C, DFF Diamonds and Fighters, DFF Insulin Defeaters, DFF Inspirers and fighters, DFF Legends A and B, and TFF Titans with a medal, citation and gift.
As per the tradition of DFF, these victors were treated like celebrities and marched to the stage with aplomb.
Ms. Sneha was the Programme coordinator at the function. Giving an introduction at the commencement, Dr. Bhagyesh Kulkarni, the founder of Diabetes Free Forever gave a brief account of the history of the institution and how starting with 10 people in 2013, this institution has reached a milestone of crossing 5000 reversals, touching the lives of over 65,000 people across the state and country.
There were 8 chief guests for the function. Each honouring some of the victors. The 1st Guest was Dr. Kantilal Lodha, owner of Deham Nature Care Resort and a seasoned medical practitioner of Pune. He honoured 26 DFF Victors in the Group A, who have just reversed their diabetes.
Among the group was Mr. Tej Singh Gehlot from Jodhpur, Rajasthan who is the participant of the first Hindi batch of September 2023. He could reverse his 23 year old diabetes within a span of 6 months.
The second Chief Guest was Shri Sharad Ponkshe, a prominent cine artist of Marathi cinema and television. He honoured 52 victors from DFF Victors Group B and C. Shri Ponkshe, in his address, impressed upon the audience the importance of following the Indian tradition in daily life style.
The third Chief Guest was Dr. Jagdish Hiremat, a renowned Cardiologist of Pune.
He honoured the group of 24 DFF Diamonds and Fighters in Groups of A. Among the participants was a youngster Shri Hrushikesh Bhandari who shared his inspiring story of losing 34 Kg weight after his mother joined DFF in February 2023 and he was inspired by Dr. Bhagyesh Kulkarni.
Dr. Hiremat gave a brief meaningful presentation on preventive cardiology practices and how disorders like Diabetes affect the heart and heart attacks and what can be done to prevent it.
Next a group of 16 Insulin Defeaters and Little Champs were honoured by a prominent Orthopaedist, Dr. Jitendra Agarwal and Dr. Meena Agarwal together with Shri Jayant Hudar, a Business Guru.
Each participant narrated their story of number of insulin units each was taking and the number of years they were diabetic and their experience of becoming insulin free within a period of 6 months from the time they started their treatment.
Lunch was served at 2.00 p.m.
Post lunch, the panel doctors of Diabetes Free Forever were introduced to the audience. Each of the doctors gave a tagline to the participants to follow in sustaining their diabetes reversal journey.
The Doctors launched the DFF Recipe book during the function.
Next 14 TFF (Thyroid Free Forever) Titans were honoured by Dr.Balachandra Kulkarni and Dr (Smt) Bhagyashree Kulkarni, parents of Dr.Bhagyesh Kulkarni and Dr.Chandrashree Kulkarni
Next 23 DFF Diamonds and Fighters of Group B were honoured by Mr.Mahendra Palesha, a businessman and Diabetes Educator.
Next a group of 24 DFF Inspirers and Fighters were honoured by Shri Sudhir Khot, a businessman and financial fitness guru.
Next a group of 20 DFF Legends in Group A were honoured by Dada Pralhad Wamanrao Pai, Philanthropist and Benefactor.
Next a Group of 20 DFF Legends Group B were honoured by Dr. Kalyani Kulkarni.
We were also among the 20 legends in Group B.
Lastly Shri Pralhad Waramrao Pai of Jeevan Vidya foundation, gave brief discourse on various aspects of the life style.
There was energy, joy and full participation by the organisers and attendees. The programme lasted 8 hours starting from 10am and ending at 6 pm.
Hats of to Dr. Bhagyesh Kulkarni, DFF and their entire team for arranging such a grand function to celebrate the victory by participants who went through the grind to reverse this disorder called diabetes.