Mumbai, June 2: Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar participated in a ceremony celebrating the remarkable achievement of providing free heart surgeries to approximately 850 underprivileged children under the ‘Gift of Life’ initiative. This initiative was spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Bombay Airport and took place at the Rotary Service Center located on Juhu Tara Road, while the surgeries were conducted at the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Center for Child Heart Care.
Under the guidance of Chairman PP Nitin Mehta, the ‘Gift of Life’ project has raised nearly 12 crore rupees over the past six years to support life-saving surgeries for children suffering from congenital heart diseases. The total cost of this project is 3.5 crore rupees, aiming to give new life to around 250 children through critical heart surgeries and medical assistance.
During the event, Gavaskar spent time with the children and their families, sharing touching moments with those whose lives have been transformed by timely medical intervention. The ceremony not only celebrated medical success but also highlighted the power of compassion and collective humanitarian efforts.
Gavaskar expressed his emotions, stating, “Meeting these brave children has deeply moved me. Their courage, along with the selfless work done by the hospital and the Rotary Club, is truly inspiring. These are the real heroes. It’s heartening to see how timely actions and generosity can change so many lives.”
Congenital heart diseases are among the most severe health issues affecting newborns and children. In India, over 200,000 children are born with heart-related conditions each year, with approximately 70,000 needing surgery within their first year of life. Due to financial constraints and late diagnosis, many families often struggle to provide their children with the necessary treatment.
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