When Standing Hurt and Earnings Stopped: Maruti Hatkar’s Fight to Protect His Livelihood
Pune, 9th March 2026: Maruti Hatkar, a 54-year-old grocery shop owner from Kelewadi in Kothrud, Pune, has spent decades building a life around his small neighbourhood store. Supporting a family of five — his wife, son, daughter-in-law and young grandson — his daily earnings are closely tied to his ability to stand for long hours behind the counter. For families like his, illness is never just medical; it is financial, emotional and deeply destabilising.
For over three months, Maruti struggled with a painful and persistent skin infection on his right leg. What began as irritation slowly worsened into swelling and discomfort that made standing difficult. He tried visiting private clinics and local hospitals, but relief was temporary. Each visit meant closing the shop for hours, losing income, and spending on medicines that did not fully resolve the infection. The longer the condition continued, the more anxious he became about falling behind on household expenses.
In his locality, a ‘blue & red’ branded Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) began visiting regularly equipped with a highly qualified medical team of IGF-India foundation and funded by Kotak Mahindra Prime Limited. Unlike a one-day camp, this MMU returned on weekly schedule, allowing patients to seek care without travelling far or sacrificing an entire workday.
Maruti approached the IGF-India medical team after hearing about the service from neighbours. The doctor conducted a detailed examination, identified the infection pattern, prescribed appropriate medication, and explained wound-care steps in simple language. Follow-ups were scheduled, and medicines were provided free of cost. The continuity of care proved crucial. Over the next few visits, the swelling reduced and the pain subsided gradually.
Within weeks, Maruti was able to resume full working hours at his shop. His mobility improved, and so did his confidence. He estimates that the intervention helped him avoid ₹4,500–₹5,000 in medical expenses — an amount that would have significantly strained his household monthly budget.
Sundeep Talwar, CEO of IGF-India, reflects on such cases: “When healthcare comes closer to where people live and work, it protects not just health but livelihoods. Regular presence builds trust and recovery.”
Today, Maruti stands behind his counter with renewed steadiness. What could have become a prolonged financial setback was contained because care arrived where it was needed most — on wheels, at his doorstep. Thanks to IGF-India & Kotak Mahindra.
