About Sahishnu Foundation
At Sahishnu Foundation, we are many young motivated people inspired by Dr. Wasudeorao Bhandarkar’s ideals. We are striving hard to realize his vision of a sustainable, greener planet with universal access to education and healthcare.
The foundation is a not-for-profit charitable organization set up in memory of Dr. Wasudeorao Bhandarkar (1950–2020), who himself embodied these principles.
Our inspiration: Dr. Wasudeorao Bhandarkar
Dr. Bhandarkar set a brilliant example of how greatness of character can be built on a humble, modest and simple way of life.
[INSTRUCTION — delete this line after doing it: add an Image block here and upload the photo of Dr. Wasudeorao Bhandarkar. Caption: “Dr. Wasudeorao Bhandarkar (1950–2020)”.]
Dr. Wasudeorao Bhandarkar was born on 26 February 1950 in the village of Arjuni, to an agrarian family. He was the only son of Mr. Raghunath and Mrs. Gopikabai. His family could not afford his education, and as a child he walked miles to attend school. Even so, he understood the value of education early, and believed in it as the path to reform, enlightenment and social prosperity.
He completed his graduate and post-graduate studies at Nagpur University, at the Institute of Science, Nagpur. He cleared the MPSC Prelims, but could not take the later exams because of his father’s sudden illness and death.
After his post-graduation he joined as a Lecturer at Bramhapuri. During his early years as a lecturer he completed his Ph.D. in Chiropterology — the study of bats — and was one of the youngest Ph.D. holders in the area.
Dr. Bhandarkar served as Head of the Zoology Department and as Chairman of the Board of Studies in Zoology at Nagpur University. He also served as Principal of N.H. College and retired in 2010. He was among the first to start M.Sc. and Ph.D. courses at Nevajabai Hitkarini College, and he was instrumental in establishing and restructuring two senior colleges: Govindrao Warjurkar College, Nagbhid and S. S. Jaiswal College, Arjuni.
To his students and research scholars he was a true guide and a fatherly figure. Along with formal education, he taught his simple approach to life, in which he valued contentment more than material wealth. He passed away in 2020.
Our mission
Our mission is driven by the life of Late Dr. Wasudeorao Bhandarkar. We strive to help people with:
- Health care — free and low-cost clinics, camps and physiotherapy for rural patients.
- Empowering through education — scholarships for meritorious students from economically backward families, and science competitions for school students.
- Community development — outreach camps and services that reach villages around Bramhapuri.
- Environment conservation — working towards Dr. Bhandarkar’s vision of a sustainable, greener planet.
Our trustees
The foundation is guided by seven trustees. [INSTRUCTION — delete this note after doing it: for each trustee below you can add their photo with an Image block above their name.]
| Trustee | Profession |
|---|---|
| Dr. Amit Bhandarkar | Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, USA |
| Dr. Rajeshri Asariaparmpail | Pediatric Anesthesiologist, USA |
| Ms. Alokdipti Shah | Architect and Entrepreneur, Mumbai |
| Ms. Rupa Kukde | Bank Manager of Co-operative bank, Nagpur |
| Dr. Aashish Badkhal | Cardio-thoracic Surgeon |
| Dr. Nandu Meshram | Dentist, Social Worker and District Tobacco Officer |
| Dr. Yogesh Tembhekar | Neonatologist and Pediatrician |
Registration and Foundation Day
Sahishnu Foundation is registered in the Chandrapur district Charity Commissioner’s office, Maharashtra, India. The trustees laid the foundation stone of this charity organization on Dr. Bhandarkar’s 71st birthday, 26 February 2021 — celebrated every year as Foundation Day.