The First Ever Vipula Kadri Award of Excellence to Dr. Elkan Elijah Daniel

We are proud to present the First Ever Vipula Kadri Award of Excellence to Dr. Elkan Elijah Daniel, a towering figure in public health whose four-decade-long association with PRIDE India has shaped the very foundation of our healthcare programs.

A visionary who blends academic depth with grassroots insight, Dr. Daniel was instrumental in the conceptualization and establishment of the SPARSH Rural Hospital in the earthquake-affected regions of Dharashiv and Latur. He not only laid the operational groundwork but also recruited and trained the first generation of staff — setting in motion a model of rural healthcare that today stands as a benchmark in Maharashtra.

Dr. Daniel has held esteemed academic positions, including Professor and Head of Community Medicine at TN Medical College and Nair Hospital, and was associated with KEM Hospital, mentoring hundreds of young doctors in public health. After his retirement, he led impactful national projects with Pathfinder International in Bihar and SWASTI in Bangalore, and contributed to the Karnataka Government’s SDG Vision 2030 for health and wellbeing.

A quiet force with unmatched dedication, Dr. Daniel continues to guide national and international organizations as a consultant, always placing the community at the heart of his work. Today, we honour not just a professional legacy but a life of humility, integrity, and service.

Thank you, Dr. Daniel Sir, for being the guiding light of PRIDE India.

A Chronicle of Healing with Dignity

At PRIDE India’s 43rd Foundation Day celebration, we were proud to unveil “Healing with Dignity: PRIDE India’s Health Journey Since 1982” — a year-by-year chronicle of our transformative path in rural healthcare.

From humble health sessions in the 1980s to the establishment of the SPARSH Rural Hospital and Mobile Medical Units delivering multispecialty care today, this booklet captures the milestones, innovations, and partnerships that have defined our mission.

A tribute to our visionary founder, Late Mrs. Vipula Kadri, this publication stands as a testament to her dream of making Quality Healthcare accessible, dignified, and rooted in the community.