One in a Billion

An India-based philanthropist receives a prestigious humanitarian award for his work with ill and destitute women

octors Rajendra Dhamane and his wife Sucheta established the nonprofit organisation Mauli Seva Pratishthan in 1998 with the goal of providing food, shelter, counselling and medical care to thousands of mentally ill and homeless women in the Indian city of Ahmednagar, many of whom have been abandoned by their families or abused emotionally and physically, and to help provide care for their children. In recognition of this work, Rajendra Dhamane received this year’s The One International Humanitarian Award and US$100,000, which was presented at a star-studded Rotary gala on June 7. The three other finalists for the annual award, which was established by David Harilela in 2012 to recognise efforts to make the world a better place, each received US$50,000. “We need to draw attention to the goodness of mankind that exists in the world,” David said in bestowing the award. www.theonerotary3450.org