Bringing smiles to patients with chikkis

At three big hospitals in Mumbai, for 15 years now, Shanu Pugalia (52) has been spreading love among children by distributing thousands of chikki bars. It is about nutritious food as much as love, media-shy Shanu tells dna. "It gives love, iron and calories to the children. That is what they need for speedy recovery," she smiles. The chikkis are distributed to children at Tata hospital, Sion hospital and Wadia hospital's paediatric wards.

Every month around 4,790 chikki bars reach these three hospitals without any obstacle.

"I had seen doctors offering chocolates to kids during consultation. I discussed it with the doctors and came up with the idea to provide chikki bars, which are very nutritious. Now, doctors are happy with this initiative. These bars are better than chocolates," said Shanu.

She added that her family and two of her friends have joined her to keep this momentum going for a longer time. "Since nine standard, I am used to Tata hospital. Then I used to serve Khichdi to patients and their relatives who stayed on the roads," she said.

"Patients who come for regular follow-up know that after their consultation in the OPD they will getting chikki bars. There has not been a single day when we missed on giving out chikkis. Shanu also takes part in our activities to help patients," said Dr Shripad Banavali, head, medical and paediatric oncology department, Tata Memorial hospital.