Archives

IHIF has been conducting public awareness programmes about road safety off and on.

In this endeavour imaginatively designed greeting cards have been sent from IHIF for the last two years.

Year 2009- Santa riding his horses wearing a seat belt.(Click and image opens)
Year 2008- Santa riding his horses wearing a helmet. (Click and image opens)

For twenty years, BTF has provided innovative programming and pioneered medical guidelines that have made lifesaving contributions towards the treatment of individuals suffering from brain injuries both in the United States and internationally.

The Maharaja Gajsinghji of Jodhpur recognizes the extraordinary work of BTF in developing and implementing guidelines for treating traumatic brain injury. In appreciation of BTF's efforts on his son's behalf and to support and create awareness of the benefits of BTF's outstanding work, the Maharaja agreed to join with the Foundation in creating a major fund raising Gala.

This Gala has raised much-needed funds for BTF to further its mission of preventing and treating head injury, and to bring programs and expertise to the Indian Head Injury Foundation (IHIF) which the Maharaja of Marwar-Jodhpur is establishing at Delhi, in India has a leading incidence of traumatic brain injury in the world, yet it is without any significant trauma care systems and vast rural areas lack any appropriate health care services. Through IHIF, BTF will disseminate programs by electronic technology to provide life-saving information to all of India.

Sunday EXPRESS
February 25, 2007 at 0000 hrs

Gajsingh, Richard Holkar organize NY fundraiser for Indian Head Injury Foundation

New Delhi, February 24: They have a responsibility to make a difference. And it is with brotherhood and compassion that both Gajsingh of Jodhpur and Richard Holkar of Maheshwar, the erstwhile Maharajas of the former princely states, who have come together to hold a glitzy charity ball in New York City, at the Hotel Pierre, on March 7, to raise funds for the Indian Head Injury Foundation.

The circumstances that have brought the two together is heartbreaking — Gajsingh’s son, the stylish, polo-playing Prince of Hearts, Shivraj, suffered serious head injury on the polo grounds in Jaipur in 2005, and is still making a slow and excruciating recovery. Holkar’s companion, the celebrated filmmaker Pamela Rooks, is still not out of the terrible damage caused by a serious head injury she suffered because of a motor accident in Delhi in November 2006.

Says a still disconsolate Holkar, “Pam had several hours of oxygen deprivation to the brain, before she was given essential ventilator support. We feel this lack of adequate oxygen to the brain at the crucial hour was one of the prime causes that led to a great deal brain damage and Pam’s resultant sad condition today. Had emergency services been equipped and trained better, and Pam had received critical support in the hours directly after her injury, her brain would have suffered less damage, and she would have had a better chance of recovery.’’

According to Holkar, despite the best hospital, medical and nursing care, Pam has paid the price for the lack of initial critical care. “While family support is outstanding there are no trained therapists to guide the care providers, nor any support groups where I one can share one’s hopes and fears, learn and be comforted from others’ experiences,’’ says Holkar. “We urgently and desperately need improved care for people who have suffered or are likely to endure traumatic brain injury.’’

It is a wistful Gajsingh who recounts, “The Brain Trauma Foundation in NY played such an important role in my son Shivraj’s recovery from the polo accident. Dr Jamshid Ghajar, neurosurgeon and president of the BTF, was immediately brought in to consult on my son’s treatment in India. Following BTF’s guidelines for treatment, Shivraj emerged from the coma and has made enormous progress in his recovery which continues at our home here in Jodhpur.’’

Not surprisingly, it is with a missionary zeal that Gajsingh has vowed to bring the BTF expertise and systems to India. The foundation will work with major Indian hospitals and medical professionals through this new trust. The gala is billed to be luxurious and grand, a fabulous beginning to NY’s social season, micromanaged to the last detail.

The doors will open to society ladies and men who are ready to dispense up to $50,000 for the high table, and the others can be comforted at tables as low as $1000. Says Gajsingh, “The theme of the evening is Rajasthan, with a colourful cultural agenda exotic culinary delights, a dazzling fashion show and exciting entertainment.’’

Designers who have been contacted include Jodhpur’s eminent Raghavendra Rathore, apart from the celebrated, Rohit Bal, Abu Jani, Sandeep Khosla, Tarun Tahiliani and others. The guest list, that includes friends of Holkar and Gajsingh, will send a hush down the hall, from Excellencies and Highnesses to the very glittering —Ron and Heidi Winston of the famed diamond house, Harry Winston, Prince Michel de Grece, Sonny and Gita Mehta, Frederic Hennessy, Suzanne van Liebig, Alexander Rooks, Mary McFadden, Sarah Giles, Jan and Nicole d’Ansembourg, Henri and Estelle SaintBris, et al.

“The funds will help establish a BTF model programme in three private hospitals in Delhi: Indraprastha Apollo, Fortis and Max,’’ says a hopeful Holkar. “We have to change things around.’’

St. John Ambulance Brigade Annual Review Parade – 2nd March 2008

St. John Ambulance No. III Maharashtra State Unit held its 104th Annual Review Parade at Azad Maidan, Bombay, on Sunday 2nd March, 2008. The Parade was inspected by His Highness Maharaja Gajsinghji of Jodhpur, Founder Trustee of the Indian Head Injury Foundation. There were over 200 volunteers of all ages and communities on Parade.

After a welcome address by the Commissioner, Mr. Feroze Sethna, the activity report for 2007 was read out which included reference to over 7419 removal call outs from sites of accidents. 4103 children were immunized at the Saifee Ambulance Corp Vaccine Centre – triple polio, boosters, MMR, BCG and various other vaccines were carried out during the years.

The Maharaja then presented cups and awards to various prize winners. Also present at the Parade was Capt. Victor Law, Knight of Justice of Order of St. John and Ceremonial Sword Bearer.

The Maharaja then made a stirring and insightful speech followed by the vote of thanks and took the final salute as the Parade marched past led by the pipe band, demonstrating a very high standard of drill.

The Maharaja, Officers and guest Doctors then set out for the Lady Wellington Building where a discussion took place on the initiative take by IHIF to link up St. John No. III unit together with the Brain Trauma foundation in New York and International Head Injuries Foundation in order to upgrade the level of casualty evacuation available in Bombay.

Roddy Sale
O. St. J
Captain
Patron
St. John No. III Maharashtra