PRESSBOOK 2011

1. PRESSBOOK 2011 FRANCE INDIA KARNATAKA The will, the mind and the heart of a man FIK French non-profit organization under the 1901 Act www.donnonslavie.org

2. FRANCE INDIA KARNATAKAThe will, the mind and the heart of a man “Can we see without eyes? Can we hear without ears? Can we smell without a nose? Can we speak without a tongue? Can we walk without legs? Can we heal the suffering of others without giving of oneself?” Shri MAHESH GHATRADYAL, founder

3. FRANCE INDIA KARNATAKAThe will, the mind and the heart of a man SUMMARY Introduction p.4 HALLIGUDI HOSPITAL : A community clinic p. 5 REALIZATIONS IN 2010 : The will p.6 CONTINUING THE ACTIONS: The ambition p. 7 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT : Construction of a maternity clinic and a school p. 10 DOCTEUR SHRI MAHESH GHATRADYAL : The founder p. 12 FRANCE INDIA KARNATAKA : “Love is my law and truth is my struggle”p. 13 DONATIONS : Precious resources for the organization p. 17 Acknowledgements

4. FRANCE INDIA KARNATAKAThe will, the mind and the heart of a man INTRODUCTION Shri MAHESH GHATRADYAL was the standard-bearer of the Indian culture in France. A precursor in the development of Yoga in this country, he founded the French Federation of Hatha Yoga and the International School of Traditional Yoga. He created the French Indian Cultural Relations Centre (CRCFI), with the support of André MALRAUX. He also encouraged the development of cultural ties between France and India In 1994, he founded FRANCE INDIA KARNATAKA (FIK) non-profit organization registered under the 1901 Charities act and, a year later, he built the first local rural hospital in Halligudi, an underprivileged village in the state of Karnataka (South India). It’s been 15 years since FIK and the hospital cater to the medical and health care needs of the rural population. The hospital facilities provide free medical treatment for the villagers of Halligudi and its surroundings. The hospital has treated more than 30 000 patients. Being a vulnerable group, women and children are more often prone to illnesses but thanks to the regular care offered by Halligudi hospital, their state of health is markedly better. After the passing of the founder in August 2007 and the departure of the president Xavier EMMANUELLI, the two key figures who pioneered the way and spread the word through their charisma and multiple activities, the objective of FIK today is to enter in a new phase. Up until now the organization was a personal cause and now it should become everyone’s cause. In order to do so, the new president Sushila GHATRADYAL would like to rally the general public to support this cause. FRANCE INDE KARNATAKA would like to appeal to the generosity of all, as the continuity of its actions and the survival of Halligudi Hospital depend on it.

5. FRANCE INDIA KARNATAKAThe will, the mind and the heart of a man HALLIGUDI HOSPITAL : A local rural hospital Free access to health care is a priority in Halligudi, therefore, the first action of FIK and its founder was to establish the first local hospital in this rural area in 1995. This farming village situated north of Bangalore has more than 3 000 inhabitants whose health is endangered by the lack of education and precarious living conditions: many infections have turned into common chronic ailments. Doctor Shri MAHESH GHATRADYAL concentrated all his efforts on helping these villagers. Today, the hospital dispenses almost free medical care to all, in and around Halligudi (more than 15 000 people). Currently the hospital is able to examine between 40 to 80 patients per day. Infectious diseases make up more than 40% of the cases treated (respiratory infections, tuberculosis, diarrhoea, dysentery, gastro-enteritis and typhoid). Other illnesses like skin diseases, malaria, dengue fever, hepatitis or sexually transmitted diseases (syphilis, herpes) are also treated.

6. FRANCE INDIA KARNATAKAThe will, the mind and the heart of a man REALIZATIONS SINCE 2010 : the will • The roof of the hospital was permeable. It has been renovated thanks to a subvention from the regional Council of Paris. • Electricians without Borders conducted an audit in order to bring the system into compliance with standards. Works are going to be done in 2011. • For the first time, a volunteer administrative director has been recruited for one year. Fatiha improves the hospital working practices and is a privileged link for the French team. • Volunteers bring us their support for long or short term. Priscilla, the head nurse, came for 6 months and is back since January 2011. Agathe is in Halligudi for 5 months and other nurses are going to follow. • Thanks to them, various camps have appeared such as dental camps (4 in 2010), dermatologist, ophtalmologist and cardiologist camps taking care of hundreds of patients in one day. • Immunization day has been created: after check-ups for children, ayurvedical medicines and health records are given to them and allow a better subsequent care.

7. FRANCE INDIA KARNATAKAThe will, the mind and the heart of a man CONTINUING THE ACTIONS : ambition for 2011 Although FIK’s main activity is of a medical nature, the organization also has to deal with day-to-day management in relation to the socio-economic and climatic conditions of the region. Top priority • Renovate the buildings • Install electrical batteries for complete power autonomy • Install a water tank and acquire reverse osmosis purification systems to purify contaminated and highly fluoridated water In the future, these installations should contribute to better sanitary conditions for the inhabitants of Halligudi region and result in the reduction or even the eradication of infectious diseases. Our objective is to make the hospital autonomous 24 hours a day in order to cope with all emergencies

8. FRANCE INDIA KARNATAKAThe will, the mind and the heart of a man • Waterproofing and renovation of the hospital: 503 130 rupies The hospital has been constructed 15 years ago using poor building materials. It suffers of dilapidation and need a complete renovation in order to welcome patients in a secure and nice environment and to allow the installation of new facilities. Waterproofing work concerning the external walls is also a necessity in order to start the electrical works. • Electricity and power : 318 180 rupies Impredictable electrical cuts are penalizing the functionning of the hospital between 6 and 8 hours a day. Besides, voltage drops unable the staff to use correctly the medical facilities (refrigerator, autoclave, lab material…). The organisation Electricians Without Borders came to Halligudi in March 2010 to analyze the electrical system. Their solution is the installation of electrical batteries. However, the actual system can not stand this installation and a complete upgrade is necessary. • Access to drinking water: Doshion, a firm specialized in water in India, and a subsidiary of Veolia Environnement, came to Halligudi in 2009 in order to conduct a technical assessment on the field of water. Its report specifies that the water coming to the hospital is not drinkable because there is too much fluor in it, and that a biger reserve should be stocked. It recommands the construction of an underground citern to collect rainwater and the add of reverse osmosers to raise the filtering capacity. Thanks to subventions we have obtained in the past couple of years, we will be able to conduct the renovation of the hospital and the waterproofing works before the end of the year.

9. FRANCE INDIA KARNATAKAThe will, the mind and the heart of a man The purchase of medical equipment From the start, the hospital has been faced with the problem of insufficient hospital equipment, which is due to high costs. This makes it difficult to administer medical care especially in the following areas of specialization: • Paediatrics • Obstetrics • Dermatology • Pneumology • Cardiology • Minor surgery • Ophthalmology • Medical analysis laboratory and radiology In order to optimize the organization’s actions and their effectiveness it is essential to renew and add, as soon as possible, the indispensable medical equipment needed to provide proper medical care.

10. FRANCE INDIA KARNATAKAThe will, the mind and the heart of a man SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: a maternity hospital in 2012 Patients and inhabitants keep asking for a maternity hospital. Women will be the first to benefit from it. With children they are the hardest hit by poverty and the ensuing health problems. In India, especially in the region of Karnataka, infant and maternal mortality remains too high. The infant mortality rate of 6,9% (0,3% in France) is superior to the national average rate. The maternal mortality rate is also very high: 1,7% (0,01% in France). More than 50% of women give birth at home in unsanitary conditions. FIK intends to improve the health care provided to women by building this maternity hospital. It will provide Indian women, who are often forgotten by the Indian society, with the proper medical facilities to ensure that their pregnancies develop in the best possible conditions and thereby reduce the mother and infant mortality rate. A French-Indian women’s medical team will join the medical staff in the very near future, and is a sign of the organization’s wish to collaborate closely with the villagers and in keeping with their traditions.

11. FRANCE INDIA KARNATAKAThe will, the mind and the heart of a man Education The population concerned mainly with survival on a daily basis (malnutrition, bad harvests, droughts) does not place much importance on education. This rural area has a low level of schooling and a high level of illiteracy (more than 35%) compared to urban areas. The figures concerning the female population are even worse: 16% do not attend primary school and almost half do not attend school after the age of 12. A nursery school is set to open very soon within the hospital so that FIK can provide education to women and children and ensure that “knowledge” and “good health” can go together. The essential rules of hygiene and prevention would be taught in the hospital school.

12. FRANCE INDIA KARNATAKAThe will, the mind and the heart of a man DOCTOR SHRI MAHESH GHATRADYAL: the founder Shri MAHESH GHATRADYAL received an education that respects traditional Indian values and is open to the world. He was raised in the ashram of Shiva Yoga Menhir (Karnataka). From the age of 5 he practiced Yoga with perseverance and a strict discipline of the body and mind that he made his own. At the age of 14 he showed a special aptitude for athletics, especially running. Thanks to his sporting achievements he was selected for the World University Games in Europe (Paris, London, Helsinki)and stayed on thereafter. In 1942 he obtained a scholarship to study at the College of Physical Education in Joinville. In 1952 he went on to study medicine at the Medical Faculty in Geneva under Professor Fritz BAUMANN. When he returned to Paris he worked at the hospital in Clamart and also at the Children’s Hospital NECKER. He unfailingly worked towards bringing people and cultures closer together, fostering the values of dignity, respect and love for one’s neighbour. Together with his friend Françoise DOLTO, and encouraged by Robert SALMON the Director of France Soir (famous daily paper)and André MALRAUX, Minister of Culture he accomplished several projects concerning Indian Culture and Yoga: - The state approved French Indian Cultural Relations Centre (C.R.C.F.I.) 1959. - The French Federation of Hatha Yoga (FFHY) 1969 - The magazine « Yoga et vie » 1974 - The International School of traditional yoga (E.I.D.Y.T.) to train Yoga teachers 1981 France paid homage to his achievements by awarding him with: - The Knight of the National Order of Merit medal in 1996 - The Knight of the Legion of Honour cross in 2005

13. FRANCE INDIA KARNATAKAThe will, the mind and the heart of a man FRANCE INDE KARNATAKA : “Love is my law and truth is my struggle” Shri MAHESH GHATRADYAL (photo on the left) obtained all the help he could to create this organization and thanks to his personal input and the close collaboration of good friends it became a reality. The president At its inception, Xavier EMMANUELLI (photo on the right) ex Minister in charge of emergency Humanitarian aid, co-founder of Doctors Without Borders, a humanitarian medical aid organization, and founder of the SAMU, a mobile emergency medical service for homeless people, was its President from 1997 to 2007. When Shri MAHESH GHATRADYAL passed away in 2007, the office was transferred to Paris. Sushila GHATRADYAL (centre photo), daughter of the founder is the President of FIK since April 2008. According to Indian tradition, the eldest child assumes the duty to remember and perpetuates the father’s work. For this interior decorator, it is not only a duty but also homage to his values, the work that went into FIK and the realization of his dream, which was to construct a maternity hospital in order to improve living conditions for the women and children of this region. The Halligudi hospital is the heart of the association and its survival is essential for the 15 000 inhabitants of the region.

14. FRANCE INDIA KARNATAKAThe will, the mind and the heart of a man How to help and participate in FIK’s aid programme? Donate any amount. Each donation helps to improve the living conditions and health of the Halligudi villagers. For every donation a tax receipt is issued enabling the donor to benefit from a tax reduction of 66% of the sum donated (limited to 20% of the taxable income) Create a partership in order to provide money, medicines, or any kind of help. Financing our projects: the association can not finance its project only with donations. These are already allocate to the medicines purchase and the staff remuneration. Technical assessment: we need experts in the field of health, energy and water to identify hospital problems and help us solving them. Operational support: we would like to be sure that local firms are able to realize the works proposed during the assessment phase. We need people who would help us to be watchful during the works.

15. FRANCE INDIA KARNATAKAThe will, the mind and the heart of a man DONATIONS: precious resources for the organization All the actions carried out by FRANCE INDE KARNATAKA cannot - and will not - be achieved without the help of our generous donors. Since its creation, all the projects carried out by FIK have been financed by more than 90% of private funds. 3 000 euros are sent from Paris on a quarterly basis for the running costs of the hospital. This sum is used mainly for paying medical staff, purchasing medicine and the upkeep of the facilities. A few foundations like Air Liquide Foundation, Sorégies Foundation, or Veolia Environment Foundation trust the organization FRANCE INDIA-KARNATAKA by giving money for its projects. This support is very important for us but should not be the only one. Also, some organizations help FIK by techincal support, as Electrician Without Borders or the firm Doshion concerning water. Our aim today is to reach out and appeal to the general public: donations are essential to pursue our actions and undertake new projects.

16. FRANCE INDIA KARNATAKAThe will, the mind and the heart of a man « Dear friends, In India there is an ancient Vedic tradition in Yoga that advocates devotion to truth and charity. The sacred words invite us to experience these noble feelings and emotions that enrich our heart. Those who develop these qualities will resist all the difficulties in life. By putting into practice this noble ideal you will make the world understand the importance of charity and compassion that opens the door to self-fulfillment. No-one can teach you this truth, it must spring from your deepest being: The hand that acts, The sound of the veena, The word OM sung in meditation, The Guru appears in this form for those who practice yogasanas: By searching and finding it in oneself, all suffering disappears. Thank you, dear friends for your generous contribution towards the Halligudi Hospital Best wishes, » Statue of Ganesh, the Elephant God, protector of the family home Shri MAHESH GHATRADYAL

17. FRANCE INDIA KARNATAKAThe will, the mind and the heart of a man Acknowledgements France Inde Karnataka would like to thank all those who helped to create this pressbook. FIK would like to thank JGDesign and Opteamum Alliance in particular for their support concerning page layout, a sharp eye for detail and sound advice for the design. FIK would also like to thank the many volunteers who worked on this press kit: production, design, copy, proofreading, cutting, corrections, cropping. FIK thanks other people, friends who shared their knowledge and experience and gave of their precious time to advise, counsel and correct. FIK thanks the many donors who ensure the daily continuity and running of this great project of solidarity. FIK thanks last but not least the Halligudi villagers who always have a warm welcome smile. Their simplicity, culture of sharing and their faith in life are an example of hope for every one of us.

18. FRANCE INDIA KARNATAKAThe will, the mind and the heart of a man FRANCE INDE KARNATAKA (FIK) ASSOCIATION LOI DE 1901 Siège Social : 50, rue Vaneau 75007 PARIS Tél/Fax : + 33 (0) 1 45 48 45 34 Courriel : franceindekarnataka@gmail.com Contact: Sushila GHATRADYAL (Présidente) www.donnonslavie.org