Volunteers

Haribhau, after a brief stint in Indian Army as a gentleman cadet, join State Bank of India where he worked for 22 years in various assignments in India and in USA. He was with Bank of New Zealand for 7 years and for 8 years ICICI Bank as principal of their Training Institute. Presently he represents ‘University of Michigan Business School’ in India and coordinates their corporate executive education programs. He is associated with SAA since its inception and has helped SAA with funds. Haribhau, a former trustee of K.S.Wani Memorial Trust is now their representative in Pune.

Gurudatt after his retirement from Larsen and Toubro, wanted to do social work and chose to work for mentally ill through SAA after considering a few options. He had a long inning as SAA’s Vice President and was considered SAA’s think tank. With his creative thinking and writing skills, Gurudatt drafted various documents and edited SAA’s house journal and developed its website. Gurudatt opted to retire as SAA’s trustee in 2013 for health reasons. He, however, continues to provide guidance and support.

A graduate in psychology and a national level volleyball player, soft spoken Sushama Datar worked as a nursery teacher. A versatile volunteer, she has been volunteering for SAA since 2007. She handles various activities at SAA’s Rehabilitation Centre including music, craft, warli painting, stitching, embroidery and gardening.

Aanand Chabukswar has worked as an ABT (arts-based therapy) Practitioner in projects of WCCL Foundation – an organisation that has pioneered the action research and training of ABT in India since 2001. He has designed and taught Applied Theatre in Savitribai Phule Pune University for over a decade. Aanand is trained in Drama therapy (UK), Commedia Del’Arte (Italian mask and movement theatre). He has also been teaching theatre to children and young people since past 20 years. He has been associate with SAA as Art Based Therapist since 2013.

Aruna, after retiring as a senior teacher, is now a full time dedicated volunteer at SAA’s Day Care Cum Rehabilitation Centre helps in various day care activities, mainly in imparting computer skills and cooking.

Radhika is a skilful volunteer, who teaches service users with great dedication, various

Dr. Virag Kulkarni is a well-known medical practitioner and runs 2 private clinics in Pune. He volunteers his time to provide free health checkup at regular intervals to users at SAA’s Day Rehabilitation Centre.

Vaishali Patway is a caregiver and a full-time volunteer at SAA. She manages the popular catering activity. Service users learn and enjoy cooking activity under her guidance.

A graduate in Vocal Music from Lalit Kala Kendra, Pune University and Sangeet Visharad from Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyala Mandal, Miraj. Ishwar has worked with Gandharva Mahavidyalaya as music teacher and has won several prestigious awards. Currently working in the Department of Music, Shri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, he finds time to take music sessions with service users at SAA’s Rehab Centre.

Anuradha has done her Advanced Diploma in Fashion Designing. She has taught at a school for deaf and dumb. She is the Owner & Founder of Swami Boutique. She teaches stitching & embroidery at SAA’s Rehab Centre.

Sucheta Joshi, a postgraduate in Bharatnatyam from Lalit Kala Kendra, Pune, is an accomplished dancer, dance teacher and choreographer. She has produced and directed many dance dramas under her own banner and has also performed in various parts of India. A committed and popular volunteer, she conducts dance movement therapy at SAA’s Rehab Centre.