Bel-Air’s centenary

The Bel-Air Hospital in Panchgani, run by the Indian Red Cross Society, Maharashtra State Branch, will soon complete 100 years. The milestone will be celebrated from December 1, 2012 until December 1, 2013. To run this large complex which houses TB and HIV/AIDS patients, substantial funds are required, which we lack. A souvenir will be brought out at the inaugural function from which we hope to raise substantial funds.

Founded by Dr Rustom B. Billimo­ria in 1912 as a TB sanatorium, Bel-Air stands on the sprawling 44-acre grounds known as Dalkeith which were gifted to Billimoria by Sir Dorab Tata. The 250-bed Hospital, set in 58 heritage bungalows, was handed over to the Red Cross in 1964 and is being managed with administrative help from the Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. Apart from pioneering treatment and care of HIV/AIDS in India, it has on its campus a college of nursing in collaboration with the University of Illinois, Chicago. A nursing program of midwives sponsored by Johnson and Johnson is being conducted there for young women from rural Maharashtra.

Bel-Air Hospital in Panch­gani

Apart from advertisements for the souvenir, we require donations and sponsorship of beds. Donations, exempt from income tax under Section 80 (G) of the Indian Income Tax Act 1961, may be sent by cheques in favor of "Dr R. B. Billimoria Bel-Air Sanatorium” to Homai Modi at Indian Red Cross Society, Maharashtra State Branch, Indian Red Cross Society Chowk, 141 Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Bombay 400001, or to Fr Tomy at Bel-Air Hospital, Dalkeith, Panchgani, Dist. Satara. HOMAI N. MODI

Honorary Secretary, Indian Red Cross Society, Maharashtra State Branch

Fr TOMY K.

Director, Bel-Air Hospital, Panchgani