INFORMATION FOR VOLUNTEERS
Miraj,
District Sangli; 416410,
Dr.
Phones: Director’s Residence: 011-91-233-2211286
(from USA) Director’s Office: 011-91-233-2222548
FAX: 011-91-233-2223413 (from
USA)
E-mail: san_whmmc@sancharnet.in
When telephoning, remember the time in India is 10-1/2
hours ahead
of
USA Eastern Standard Time(EST) and 9-1/2 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight
Time.
For example, 12:00 noon EST is 10:30 pm that night in
India.
FAX messages and e-mails can be received any time.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The
Wanless Hospital had its beginning as a small
dispensary started in 1890 in the Miraj (Meer’-udge) Bazaar by Dr. William Wanless,
pioneer Presbyterian medical missionary.
The first of the present buildings was opened in 1894. Today it has grown to meet the pressing medical
needs of the area into a large complex institution of over 300 beds, the Miraj Medical Centre (MMC). The Miraj
Medical Centre functions under a unique agreement with the State Government as
a private Christian teaching hospital attached to a government medical college.
In addition, it maintains an accredited College of Nursing, an Institute of
Pharmacy, and diploma courses for x-ray, laboratory, and medical records
technicians. It works closely with the
Richardson Leprosy Hospital.
In
addition to basic services in medicine, surgery, paediatrics,
obstetrics and gynaecology, the medical center has
developed a range of specialties including cobalt therapy for cancer,
manufacture of orthopaedic appliances and prostheses,
burn treatment and plastic surgery, cardiology and cardiac surgery, neurology
and neurosurgery, high risk obstetrical care, and treatment of kidney failure
by haemodialysis and kidney transplantation. Miraj is the only
such medical center for 15 million people within a radius of 150 miles.
In
addition to such specialized hospital care, the center has pioneered in health professional education,
in community health education, preventive and basic health services in six
surrounding villages through the very active Department of Community Health.
The
hospital is staffed by skilled Indian doctors, nurses and paramedical
workers. However, there are many
situations in which qualified, short-term specialists from abroad can be of
great assistance. Your role as a
volunteer would be primarily that of working with a counterpart on the Miraj staff, sharing new techniques or different
insights. This would help to upgrade the
capability of the particular individual or department. In turn you would learn much about the
challenges of health care in a developing country, and
2.
about the
people and culture of India. You are
encouraged to bring updating professional talks on slides, overhead
transparencies or power-point presentation for medical seminars.
LOCATION
Miraj is
located about 280 miles (twelve hours by train) south and inland from the city
of Mumbai (Bombay), on the border of the states of Maharashtra
and Karnataka. On a map you will find it
150 miles directly south of Pune (Poona) and near the
city of Kolhapur.
The population of Miraj is about 150,000 of
which about 60% are Hindus, 38% Muslims and 2% Christians. The setting is rural. Known since the days of Dr. Wanless for its medical facilities, Miraj
has become a pilgrimage town for the sick and the suffering. It is also known throughout India for the
manufacture of the sitar - a handmade stringed musical instrument.
WEATHER
The
weather in Miraj is much like that of Southern
California. The temperature is moderate
throughout the year except in the hot season months, March to May, when it is
often over 100F. However, even in the
hot season, the nights are relatively cool because of very low humidity, and
1900 ft. elevation. The monsoon rains
arrive around mid-June and continue until the end of September. The temperature drops considerably, the skies
are cloudy most of the time, but we do not actually have a lot of rain in this
area. The cool season lasts from October
through January, when a light sweater or jacket is useful. The days are sunny
and warm but it is chilly early in the morning and at night, with minimum
temperatures of 50-55F.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
You
should apply several months in advance through your travel agent for an
ordinary tourist visa. An
application can also be downloaded from the web at http://www.indianconsulate-sf.org.
This is good for four months from the day of your arrival in India with
possible extension for another two months.
For the purpose of your visit you should only state that you are going
to visit the Miraj Medical Centre and other
points of interest in India, not that you are going to work in the
hospital, etc.
TRAVEL TO MIRAJ
Flight
to Mumbai: Mumbai is our nearest international
airport. Many of the major airlines
offer special rates to tourists for a stay of up to four months in India. Be sure to have your travel agent check
several possible routes and airlines to get the best fare.
As
soon as your travel plans are complete, preferably at least a month before your
expected arrival in Mumbai, inform the Director, Miraj
Medical Centre by e-mail, fax, or post (allow 2-3 weeks for an air-mail
letter.) about :
1. Airline, flight number, date and time of arrival in
Mumbai.
2. Whether you wish to be met at the airport by a
representative of the UCBWM (United Church Board of World Ministries) for a
small fee.
3. What reservations you want us to make for your stay in
Mumbai.
3.
4. What reservations you need for travel Mumbai to Miraj to Mumbai.
Name, age and sex of each person are required for reservations. This must be done several weeks in advance.
5. Be sure to include your complete contact information,
including telephone number, e-mail address, and fax number if available.
The Director’s Office will
make the reservations through the UCBWM in Mumbai and will confirm to you. Except for air tickets, you can pay after
arrival in India.
AT SAHAR
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, MUMBAI
Changing Money: As you go through Immigration and Customs you
will see official counters for changing money.
Change $50-$100 in travelers checks or US
dollars into Indian rupees. The current
rate (Y2K) is about Rs. 45 per dollar. The use of US dollars or getting them
exchanged by unauthorized persons is illegal.
Be sure to get enough small bills (5 and 10 rupees) to use for taxis,
tips, etc. Remember that the purchasing
power of the rupee in India is far more than the 2 cents it is worth against
the dollar.
Getting
a Taxi: After finishing with Immigration and Customs,
as you approach the exit, a mob of people will be waiting outside. You will pass
a Taxi Reservation Booth. Stop
here. Give the name of your hotel and
pay the taxi fare which they indicate (using your new rupees!) They will give you a paper with the number of
your prepaid taxi. When you get outside,
sit in that taxi. If the person from the
UCBWM is meeting you, he will be out here holding up a sign with your
name. He can help you find your taxi and
fight off the people who want to carry your bags. He will accompany you to your hotel.
STAY IN MUMBAI
Most
international flights arrive in Mumbai between 1:00AM and 4:00 AM. It takes 1-2 hours to complete the airport
formalities. If you plan to go on to Miraj by the day train, we recommend you will need to stay
in Mumbai at least until the next day, because of early morning departure.
·
Ambassador
Hotel: This is a good medium priced hotel
conveniently located in downtown Mumbai. Also, the Diplomat Hotel and West End
Hotel.
Or
·
YMCA
International House: Another good
place to stay, located at Mumbai Central (Railroad Station) run by the YMCAs.
Lodging & Boarding at very reasonable rates. Tel: 23070601/02/03
Or
·
Methodist Home: Simple but
clean. Less than half the cost of
Ambassador Hotel,
located near Mumbai Central, across the street from YMCA. Breakfast served. Tel: 23098570.
Or
·
Church Mission
(CM) House: Low-priced dorm.,Breakfast served. Tel: 23871782.
4
The stay in the hotel costs
around $50-$200 depending upon the place you are choosing. YMCA is about $25 per person per night,
including buffet breakfast & supper with private bath and AC.
UCBWM:
This
office in Mumbai is maintained by missions and churches working in India. You will need to pick up your train or plane
tickets from them, or they can deliver the tickets to your hotel/YMCA. They can
help in cashing travelers’ checks or other business matters. They are open from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM on
weekdays. If you are to be in Mumbai only on a weekend, you must ask Dr. Deepak
Kamle, Director,
MMC to arrange
for delivery of tickets to you at the airport or your hotel.
Manager: Mr. S.K. Solomon; Mr. Mohan Luke is usually
making reservations, etc.
Address: UCBM, Lawrence & Mayo House, 3rd Floor,
276, Dr. D.N. Road,
Flora
Fountain, Mumbai 400 001. Mailing address: PO Box 92,
Mumbai-1.
Telephone: From Mumbai:
22071593 or 22070772
From USA: 011-91-22-22071593 or 011-91-22-22070772
FAX: 011-91-22-22002833
TRAVEL MUMBAI TO MIRAJ
1) TRAVEL BY AIR :-
DECCAN AVIATION (MUMBAI) :-
Bomby Branch Office :-
Postal Address :- Hanger # 8, Juhu Aerodrome, Mumbai
400049
Email - ID :-
1. daplmum@vsnl.net
Web
Site :- www.deccanair.com
Fax
& Mobile :-
1. 022-26611602
2. 98202-31665
3. 98200-02303
2) TRAVEL BY TRAIN :-
You will take one of several trains from CST
(earlier called VT i.e. Victoria Terminus):
Name of Train Departs From Departure Time Arrival in Miraj
Koyna Express, #7307
Mumbai CST 8:30AM
7:50 PM same day
Sahyadri Express,#7303 Mumbai CST
Mahalaxmi Express#1011 Mumbai CST 8:25 PM 7:05 AM next day
For
first-time visitors the day train (Koyna Express) is
suggested for seeing the country. On the
night train (Mahalaxmi Express) you can get a berth
in an air-conditioned car with pillow, clean linens & bedding
included. For either train, reservation
is essential. When traveling on the day train,
request a sandwich lunch from the hotel or guesthouse. Mineral water and soft drinks are available
for purchase on the train. You’ll be met at Miraj
Railway Station by the hospital
personnel. Return reservations to Mumbai
can also be made from Miraj. Arrival times in Bombay (same trains)
are: 9:15 pm, 12:30 pm, & 06:35 am,
respectively for Koyna (#7308), Sahyadri
(#7304) and Mahalaxmi (#1012).
LIVING ARRANGEMENTS IN MIRAJ
SIDE VIEW OF FLETCHER HALL DINNING
HALL
AC BED
ROOM SITTING
HALL
Fletcher Hall, built exclusively
for volunteers, has total six double or triple rooms (out of which Four are AC Rooms)
with attached bath and hot and cold running water. There
is a common sitting room and dining room with an excellent cook. The charge for
room and board combined is currently $14/day.
Laundry is done once or twice a week at low cost. Consumption of alcoholic beverages on the
hospital grounds (including Fletcher Hall) is prohibited. Smoking is (reluctantly) allowed, but only in your room.
(Note :- Dollar Conversion Rate considered is 1$ = Rs. 43.00,
Kindly check with the recent
conversion of Dollar into Rupees as and when required.)
* Please note entry to outsides in Fletcher Hall & Visit Volunteers is
restricted.
* Any Volunteer wishes to go outside for a Hospitality
prior information to be given to Director MMC.
5
CLOTHING
You
will need only lightweight summer wear. Dress is generally casual. For men, short-sleeved shirts and lightweight
slacks of wash and wear material. For
women, dresses, skirts and blouses. No
skirts above the knee and no shorts except in the guesthouse or for
sports. Heels and hose are not
needed. Bring a light sweater or jacket.
MISCELLANEOUS
Facilities
for cashing travelers’ checks are available at the Mumbai Airport and also at
the Sangli Bank Ltd. at Miraj
Medical Centre. The hospital prefers not
to handle US or UK currency because of government foreign currency regulations;
personal checks written to the hospital can be cashed into rupees,
however. In Miraj,
there are no places that accept credit cards, and there are no ATM machines.
Email / Internet Facilities are available at Fletcher Hall, so kindly, if possible try to bring your Laptop.
Bring
your favorite toiletries, though Indian supplies are readily available and
cheap. Kleenex tissues are available
here. Bring a small umbrella for sun or
rain, flashlight, mosquito repellent. If
you like music, bring your tape player and cassettes, since the radio, except
short-wave, picks up very few outside programs.
There is cable TV and a VCR in Fletcher Hall. Bring your favorite videos to watch (NTSC or
PAL formats). If you are a tennis
enthusiast, pack your gear and a few cans of balls. We have one good clay court. A one-quart plastic bottle will be handy for
carrying drinking water when you travel or visit villages; bottled water can be
purchased in plastic bottles en route and in Miraj. If you have a name tag, wearing it will help
people get to know you.
FURTHER QUESTIONS
?
Call ARCHIE FLETCHER, MD, former
Director of the Miraj Medical Centre, now at
1420 Santo Domingo Avenue,
Duarte, CA 91010, Phone: 626-303-4263,
FAX: 626-303-4263,
E-mail: ArchFletch@aol.com
or DICK BEDELL, MD At 2142
Jordan Place, Boulder, CO 80304
Phone:
303-443-4695, FAX: 303-443-0599,
E-mail: thebedells@earthlink.net
or JERRY
VELDMAN, MD, 4436 Copperhill Road; Okemos, MI 48864;
tel/fax: (h)517 336
7128; e-mail: veldman@pilot.msu.edu
or DR. Deepak Kamle,
DIRECTOR,
Phone: (0233) 2222548, FAX (0233)
2223413, E-mail: san_whmmc@sancharnet.in
