- This art exhibition had featured 100 sketches, paintings and photographs by Dr Shekhar Bhojraj, Dr Tarak Patel, Dr Tejasvi Agarwal, Dr Bharat Sarkar and Dr Priyank Patel
- Dr Shekhar Bhojraj, who has also published two art books – “Photo, Paint & Pen” and “The Journey of Spine Foundation” – showcasing his art, said the proceedings will go to his spine foundation
- So far, TSF has treated over 60,000 patients and performed over 1,800 surgeries across India
GOWRI MANICKAVASAGAM
AHMEDABAD, FEB 28
Aiming to step up its charity activities and celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the Foundation, Different strokes by five members of The Spine Foundation raised fund for spine care in Ahmedabad. The two-day art exhibition with a difference was organised at the Urmila Art Gallery at Kanoria Centre for Arts at the CEPT Campus in Ahmedabad. The exhibition was held from noon to 7 pm on Saturday and Sunday – the 24th and 25th of February 2024.
This art exhibition had featured 100 sketches, paintings and photographs by Dr Shekhar Bhojraj, Dr Tarak Patel, Dr Tejasvi Agarwal, Dr Bharat Sarkar and Dr Priyank Patel.
The artists here normally wield a scalpel rather than a brush, with no formal training in art. These paintings were the stress-busters for five of the top spine surgeons in the country who conduct free treatment and surgery for the poor, under the umbrella of The Spine Foundation.
The Spine Foundation, which caters to rural and urban poor who cannot afford spine treatment, was set up by Mumbai-based doctor couple Shekhar Bhojraj and Shilpa Bhojraj in 1998. A pioneer in his field, Dr. Bhojraj is the country’s first specialised dedicated spine surgeon, responsible for setting up the country’s first spine surgery speciality unit at KEM Hospital in Bombay in 1988.
Dr Shekhar Bhojraj, who has also published two art books – “Photo, Paint & Pen” and “The Journey of Spine Foundation” – showcasing his art, said the proceedings will go to his spine foundation.
Speaking with navjeevanexpress.com, Dr Shekhar Bhojraj said, “Our foundation offers two-year fellowship training to aspiring spine specialists at its Mumbai hospital. So far we have trained over 50 medicos from all over the country who offer their services in remote and inaccessible areas. During the training period, the Foundation offers salaries to the trainees.”
“The speciality of this expo is that none of the exhibits are not for sale. If a person donates Rs 5,000, he will get one of my books as gift. Those who donate Rs 25,000 can choose any one of the frame put up for display and carry with him. Through this expo, we planned to raise Rs 50 lakh for Asha Foundation. We had already conducted five expos in various cities of the nation and this is our sixth expo,” added Dr Bhojraj, son-in-law of Gujarat.
Ahmedabad-based Dr Tarak Patel said, “We have been conducting free spine check-up camps in Amreli in Gujarat every quarter and also perform free surgeries there. One of The Spine Foundation Fellows from Palanpur will cover Rajasthan.”
The Spine Foundation team comprises some of the topmost senior spine surgeons from Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur and many other cities in India. Several referral centres and multiple outreach camps were developed nationwide in collaboration with the government and charitable organisations to identify and treat patients with no access to spine care. This program includes setting up Rural Spine Care Centers (RSCC), consisting of spine operation theatres, spine clinics and spine wards, in the existing orthopaedic departments of the various government medical colleges in rural areas. The doctors and medical workers are trained and sensitised by lecture courses and workshops.
The Spine Foundation operates 13 RSCCs at Gadchiroli, Kolhapur, Nandurbar, Dehradun, Sittilingi, Akola, Ambajogai, Ratnagiri, Dhule, Aurangabad, Dharampur, Ranchi and Goa. Ten more RSCCs are on cards to spread the healthcare activities. So far, TSF has treated over 60,000 patients and performed over 1,800 surgeries across India.
Come and support the drive to eradicate spine and back problems in India.
