I visited Wayanad district in Kerala. It shares borders with both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. I was there as part of my Sewa Yatra. The drive is through hilly and mountainous terrain with nine hair bends. The drive is exhilarating, adventurous. Kalpetta is the district headquarters and is a hill station -- a tourist attraction. 

The people at the Vivekananda Medical Mission warmly welcomed us with a sumptuous lunch. Dr. Dhananjay Sagdeo started the mission five decades ago, which started as a humble clinic in a small hut. Dr. Sagdeo is the recipient of the Padma Shri Award (2021), given to him recognizing his work in providing medical services for the poorest as well as for identifying sickle cell anaemia among the tribals. Experiencing the impact that the  Vivekananda Medical Mission has made on the tribal community in Wayanad is heart-warming.

The team of doctors and nurses are all very energetic, and a few of them have been working for the last 35 years in the hospital as nurses. As we all know, there is now a demand for experienced nurses abroad, including in the United States. The salaries offered abroad is extremely attractive. But, these nurses have resisted the lure of the dollar and worked in the cause of helping the poor and the underserved. We have seen mobile medical vans funded by Sewa International actively engaged in conducting mobile medical camps and transporting people in need at the time of emergencies. They have been used by doctors and staff for doing a commendable job during the pandemic as well as  for conducting vaccination drives that have saved many lives.

We traveled in the medical van to one of the tribal villages. We were shocked to see the living condition in the village, and it was rather gut-wrenching. The poorest dwelled in little huts, but the children and elders were welcoming and friendly. They live close to the river, and part of nature may be the reason for their high spirits, despite the otherwise dire living conditions.

We traveled back with the deep impression made on us of the poor economic condition of the tribal villagers. This experience will keep reminding me of the social responsibility we have to serve fellow human beings.

Back at the Vivekananda Mission Hospital we had tea. We took a few pictures and headed back on the road for the four-hour drive to Kozhikode. We suggested to the mission staff that a hostel be constructed to house both tribal boys and girls so that we can empower at least the next generation.

This Sewa yatra was both informative and emotionally powerful. The impact the tribal villagers made will remain with me for years to come. Dr. Sagdeo deserves much more than the Padma Shri award, as no award can symbolize the impact he has made with his work and for the commitment to the tribes. The work that the Vivekananda Medical Mission has done in serving tribal communities is peerless.

-Vijay Mallampati