Ravindra and Smita Kolhe

Ravindra Kolhe and Smita Kolhe are Indian social activists and doctors working for tribal people in remote village areas of Bairagarh in Melghat region of Amravati district in Maharashtra. Ravindra Kolhe completed his MBBS in 1985 and MD in 1987 from Government Medical College, Nagpur. He has been actively working in Bairagarh area since 1985. He married Smita, also a doctor specializing in Ayurveda and Homeopathy, and together continued their work. They charged a nominal fee of ₹1 (1.4¢ US) for treatment and also run a Government ration shop. Apart from medicinal help, the couple also makes general awareness campaigns for the tribals. The works of Kolhe couple has resulted in reduction of infant mortality rate from 200 per 1000 to 40 and pre-school mortality rate from 400 per 1000 to 100. In 2019, the couple received Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award.[1][2][3][4]

References

1. "Maha: Dr Ravindra and Dr Smita Kolhe to be bestowed with Padma Shri". DailyHunt. 25 January 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
2. "Padma Shri for Kolhe couple". The Hitavada. 26 January 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
3. "बुलडाण्याच्या भूमिपुत्राला पद्मश्री, डॉ. रविंद्र कोल्हे व स्मिता कोल्हे यांच्या वैद्यकीय सेवेची दखल" (in Marathi). Lokmat. 27 January 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
4. Shrivastav, Snehalata (28 January 2019). "Beyond meds, Kolhes healing social and political system too". Times of India. Retrieved 5 February 2019.