Dilip Guha ★ New Delhi : The Chaitra Mela is a folk fair that marks the final days of the Bengali calendar month of Chaitra. This significant festival is a treasure trove of authentic Bengal delights, featuring an array of fruits, sweets, toys, handlooms, and handicrafts crafted from bamboo, cane, plastic, clay, and more.
In the heart of C R Park, affectionately known as “Mini Kolkata” in NCR Delhi, the Help and Heal Foundation Trust is proudly organizing its third Chaitra Mela. The two-day event, which began on March 29 and ran through March 30, 2025, at premises of Purbosree Mahila Samiti, C R Park, New Delhi happened to be a resounding success.
While the mela and cultural programs were integral to the celebration, the primary objective of the “Chaitra Mela” is to host a multi-specialty medical camp.
This altruistic initiative aimed to provide complimentary consultations and health checks to distressed and senior residents. Renowned doctors from esteemed Delhi hospitals are graciously attending the health camp, offering expert advice and consultations to those in need.
The two-day medical camp emerged as a beacon of hope and care for the community. The event featured an array of impactful activities aimed at promoting health awareness and support.
The principal objectives of the trust are to: Provide access to necessary healthcare services to all, especially distressed and elderly citizens; Provide affordable legal assistance to the needy, including elderly citizens; and assist in providing quality education to the underprivileged.
The camp received strong support from residents, especially senior citizens and individuals in distress, who greatly benefited from the comprehensive health check-ups offered during the event.
In addition to providing free consultations with specialist doctors from reputable hospitals such as PSRI, Max, and Artemis, the camp also offered legal assistance and free medical tests, including Health ATM by Yolo Health, mammography, bone mineral density (BMD) assessments, and pulmonary function tests (PFT). This year, besides Max hospital, PSRI hospital, the medical fraternity from Apollo, Fortis Escorts offered their specialised services.
Help and Heal Foundation Trust’s annual Chaitra Mela also plays host to numerous socio-cultural events, and also includes stalls providing delectable food and soft beverages, financial/ banking advice, merchandise etc. In the year 2024, more than 350 people availed free medical consultations or tests at the Chaitra Mela, including about 50 people who took the free mammography test.
Celebration of Talent and Culture at Chaitra Mela
Alongside the medical initiatives, the Chaitra Mela served as a vibrant platform for showcasing talent and celebrating the spirit of community. Specially Abled Children, senior citizens, and budding local artists have the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities alongside performances by well-known artists from Bengal.
The mela featured stalls offering exquisite handicrafts, handloom items, a special attraction was Sonajhuri handicrafts of Shantiniketan, and a variety of culinary delights, creating a lively atmosphere for attendees.
Gratitude and Vision
Expressing heartfelt gratitude, Air Commodore Swapan Samaddar VSM (Retd), President of the Help and Heal Foundation Trust, stated, “Within two years, the Trust had organized six Free Multiple Speciality Medical and Legal Camps, helped several elderly. needy and underprivileged, and senior citizens for admitting in hospitals for their ailments during emergencies, distributed food and warm clothes to the needy people during winter, and organized a Second Chaitra Mela apart from holding a multi-speciality medical camp including cultural events for the deprived and differently abled children coinciding with the Mela.
Our vision and mission comprise the following flagship Programs: (i) Health care and healing for all; (ii) Legal assistance för seniors and distressed persons; (iii) Education for the privileged; (iv) Women Empowerment; (v) Initiative for Green Environment. We will implement them as we proceed in our journey with our partners to build an effective institution. The activities of H & HFT are being carried out in harmony with local bodies, oversight agencies, and in partnership with several hospitals. Encouraged by our several successful Medical Camps, we have decided to engage ourselves in the Flagship programme in earnest.”
“We are deeply obliged for the support and help from Max, PSRI, Apollo, Fortis Escorts Hospitals. Last year, with Max Hospital’s cooperation, we provided a fully equipped medical van for mammography tests, screening about 50 women. This year, our mammography target may have a shortfall.”
“Hundreds of residents in and around Chittaranjan Park from all strata of society visit the Chaitra Mela each day to enrich themselves with socio-cultural events and reap the benefits of the medical assistance and legal advice to be provided. We hope to make the Chaitra Mela a one-stop solution centre for providing medical and legal assistance to those in need”.
He further elaborated, “We arranged specialized doctors for routine body check-ups, including dental, internal medicine, orthopedics, pulmonology, gynecology, and physiotherapy. Numerous residents from the area and NCR made the most of the Free Multi-Specialty Medical Camp.”
“The Foundation’s commitment extends beyond healthcare. Throughout the year, it provides educational assistance for underprivileged children, support for senior and distressed persons, and medical facilities for individuals in need. It also organizes socio-cultural activities such as book fairs, sporting events, literary programs, and melas to nurture and promote local talent,” he added.
The medical camp and cultural event stand as a testament to the transformative impact of collective efforts, inspiring hope and fostering a sense of community among all participants.
Image: Dilip Guha
