‘Maharashtra Arogya Bhushan 2025’ Award to Be Conferred on Dr. Ravindra and Dr. Smita Kolhe
Pune, 4th October 2025: The city will host its first-ever Health Literature Conference as part of the Pune Health Festival on October 19, 2025, at the Bal Gandharva Rangmandir. The event is being jointly organized by the Rugna Hakka Parishad, the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, and the Charitable Hospitals Help Cell (Mumbai), along with the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal. The conference will be inaugurated at 9 am by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, informed Umesh Chavan, chairman of the reception committee.
Chavan announced that renowned pediatric and laparoscopic surgeon and writer Dr Sanjay Oak has been elected as the president of the maiden Health Literature Conference. He also declared that the prestigious ‘Maharashtra Arogya Bhushan Award 2025’ will be conferred on the well-known Melghat-based social activists and medical couple, Padma Shri Dr Smita Kolhe and Dr Ravindra Kolhe. The award carries a cash prize of ₹1 lakh and a citation.
The day-long conference will feature a wide range of programmes, including literary reviews on health, panel discussions, symposia, poetry sessions, music events, lectures, book releases, and a souvenir launch. The CM will also inaugurate a mobile health clinic initiative.
Prominent medical professionals such as Dr Jagannath Dixit, Dr Pramod Jog, Dr Pradeep Awate, PMC health chief Dr Neena Borade, and deputy director of health Dr Bhagwan Pawar are among the participants. Around 25,000 citizens are expected to benefit from free medical consultations, medicines, treatment, and surgery camps to be conducted by reputed doctors during the festival.
Expressing his gratitude, Dr Sanjay Oak said, “It is a matter of great honour to be chosen as president of this unique Health Literature Conference. This role brings with it added responsibility as we bring together health, literature, and social services on one platform.”
About Dr Sanjay Oak
Born on November 24, 1959, in Mumbai, Dr Oak is recognised as a pioneer in pediatric surgery and laparoscopy. A graduate of Government Medical College, Miraj, he has served as the dean of Seth G.S. Medical College and KEM Hospital. Currently, he is the Chancellor of Padma Shri Dr D.Y. Patil University, Mumbai. Alongside his medical career, he has contributed significantly to literature in Marathi.
Call for participation
Chief Minister’s Relief Fund officer Rameshwar Naik, reception committee chairman Umesh Chavan, Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal president Meghrajraje Bhosale, former IMA Maharashtra president Dr Avinash Bhondwe, former ACP Bhanupratap Barge, Milind Gaikwad, and Pune district coordinator of the CM Relief Fund Rajendra Kadam have jointly appealed to citizens, doctors, artists, journalists, and students to attend the event.
