Matru Sewa Sangh Sutika Gruha – Arvi
The Arvi branch of Matru Sewa Sangh was established on 1 July 1938. The women of Arvi wanted a Maternity home in Arvi as they had to come to Nagpur for child birth. They expressed this wish to Kamlatai Hospet who acceded to this request and accordingly made one or two trips to Arvi to examine the situation there. The local doctors of Arvi namely, Dr. Apte, Dr. Nagarkar and Dr. Deshpande came forward to lend medical help. Unfortunately, Dr. Apte passed away.
The President of Akhil Bhartiya Charkha Sangh, Mr. Tapodhan Shrikrishan Das Jaju offered his own house for two years to open a Maternity Home and also provided Rs. 2400 from Nathmal Trust Fund. In addition, several people from Arvi also gave donations for this noble cause. The branch was inaugurated on 1 July 1938 at the hands of Shri Tatyasaheb Thatte. Mrs. Kamlatai Ranade, Mrs. Umabai Thatte and Mrs. Shantabai Apte took lot of pains to open this branch. Mrs. Apte donated medical equipments, beds etc. in the memory of her husband, Dr. Apte. Since the branch didn’t have a building of its own, Mr. Shrikrishandasji Jaju bought a land (from sohmagal) for Rs. 666 situated in the heart of the city and also promised Rs. 3500 from Tathmal Trust Fund for the construction of the building. Another equivalent piece of land adjacent to it was also bought and another Rs. 2500 was spent for constructing a building for (paricharak) attendants. The construction was completed in the year 1942 and the maternity home was shifted there. On 23 October 1942 the building was inaugurated at the hands of Madalsadevi, the daughter of the famous Gandhian industrialist Jamnalal Bajaj. The building was named as Nathmal Bhavan.
The election of the executive body is held once in three years. From 1938 Kamlabai Sathe has been looking after the branch efficiently. The branch has started OPD (OutPatient Department) from 1956. Every year the number of child birth is increasing.
Mrs. Parvatibai Joshi, Mrs. Dwarkatai Thakur, Mrs. Ramabai Ghate, Malintitai Urkande, Mrs. Shantabai Lonkar, Kumudini Thete , Kamlatai Sathe gave their valuable contribution as managers of the branch.
The branch is also known for its involvement in social cause
- It organises many medical camps for gynaecological problems and to increase overall health awareness in women.
- It runs a small nursery school for toddlers, organises blood donation camp in association with Dr. Hedgewar Blood Bank, Nagpur to help patients with Thalassemia.
- Many projects are currently run by this branch such as medial and diagnostic camps for gynaecological diseases, camps for regular health check-ups like Hemoglobin, bone density, blood sugar, Pap smear for early diagnosis of cervical cancer and many others.
- It organises painting and drawing competition for girls to encourage them in the field of arts.
- It focuses on overall improvement in social status of the weak, marginalized and uneducated women in community.
The Arvi Branch was visited by renowned social workers and activists like Jayprakash Narayan, Lakshmibail Kelkar and Vinoba Bhave.