Surprise support

She was recently the guest of honour for a fund raiser organised by the Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children, but we've learnt that Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan's wife Satvasheela's association with the institution is much deeper a mere social obligation. Facing a wave of controversies ever since the children's wing was suddenly shut down nearly four years ago for renovation, Ness Wadia has since been waging an uphill battle to take the 80-year-old institution to the next level.

Unfortunately, his family's plans to erect an super speciality hospital on the prized plot in Parel has invited more suspicion than support so far because they don't even have the funds to keep the present facility running smoothly. Much of the blame for this has been passed on to the BMC (who are the joint trustees of the hospital) for not being regular with the annual grant that pays for the medicines and staff salaries.

Almost providentially, Ness has found his committed and willing believer in Satvasheela, who has weighed in on his side to fight for the cause he is espousing - "no matter how long it takes". While she was instrumental is securing much of the government support and ministerial attendance for the recent charity event, now we hear she's actively collaborating with Ness to chart out a plan of action for the future. While this advisory role isn't official, it's apparently likely to last beyond her husband's term. Nice.