Shantilal Suratwala

Birth Date: Feb 18, 1950
Address: Tiranga Bhavan, 257, Budhawar Peth, Pune.
Telephone No.: Res.: 020-4459222
  Blood Bank : Fax (020) 4337627, 4321600
Blood Group: B +ve
Working Hours: 18 hrs. a day since 1978.

He had organized All India " Navoditanche Sahitya Sammelan " in 1993 in Pune. He was Chairman of the Sammelan.
As a working President of Marathi Rang Bhumi Shatkottar Golden Jubilee committee, he arranged many programs. It was a rare sight to see on a common platform.

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It all started from a single request of the Army officials Blood Bank Doctors. In 1987-many wounded soldiers were admitted in army hospitals, who were in need of urgent blood transfusion. Army doctors were facing a big question mark, soon they found Mr. Shantilal Suratwala, better known as 'Kaka' to everyone.

The single request call to Kaka had dramatically changed the Voluntary Blood Donation Movement scenario in Pune city. An emergency blood donation camp was arranged in a single day. 187 voluntary donors donated their blood for the wounded Jawans.

• 18 ^th Feb, Kaka's Birthday is celebrated by arranging blood donation Camps.

• As a donor he has donated the blood in 125 occasions.

• This was all started by Kaka when he was a mayor. With a strong force of more than 400 members of Krantisena - an organization devoted solely for voluntary blood donation movement. 

• He  started a blood bank named Archaya Anandrishiji Pune Blood Bank at Poona Hospital on 20th March 1993. Archaya Anandrishiji Pune Blood Bank has so far collected near about one lakh Blood Units and issued 13,000 units to different hospitals in and around Pune City in the span of just 13 years. His whole family is devoted for this noble cause. He is the guiding force behind the book on "BLOOD" which covers everything's in blood from drop of blood to Blood Bank.

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After working as party worker for nearly 23 years Kaka was elected as a Corporator of city post ward in 1979. He was elected thrice consecutively with increasing margin of victory.

  He is responsible for the neat and organized development of the ward.

• Recovery of Minerva and Aryan Theater lands.
• Reconstruction of damaged flag post which was erected in pre-freedom era.
• Old water lines and Drainage lines were changed.
• Disposal of ash formed after cremation in a proper way.
• Distribution of coins to overcome acute shortage of coins.
• Pedal Boat recreation at Swargate Swimming pool.
• Renovation of Public toilets and water cans in the ward.
• Halogen lamp posts on every street of the ward.
• Construction of Traffic lights in key Chowks of the ward.
• Collection of funds for earthquake victims of Bihar and Maharashtra and so on....

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As a Mayor :

In 1992, Puneties got a very enthusiastic energetic dashing mayor. Mr. Shantilal Suratwala become Mayor -1st Citizen- of Pune on 7th March 1992. Here some few important task has been mentioned.

• Acquisition of land of Minerva Theatre. Within a month a modern parking complex was erected spending no additional rupee of Pune Municipal Corporation. It was erected with the employees of P.M.C. only.

• 'Holi' is a traditional festival of Hindus. The festival gives a message of further development. Incineration of garbage for clean city was started by him.

• Because of his untiring efforts, state Govt. sanctioned Rs. Five crores for the development of the city. He was the first Mayor of the city who was able to get sanction from the state Govt.

• He successfully planned and recovered outstanding water charges for the Grampanchayats.

• Clean Zopadpatti Competition was organized for the first time in the city. Importance of cleanliness and Health was stressed.

• Phugewadi Octroi Naka was started. This has increased daily collection of P.M.C. by Rs. 50,000/-

• Co-operation and understanding between Pune Municipal Corporation and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal corporation was developed by him.

• Blood donation camp was the soul of his huge work.

• A system was developed by him during his tenure as a Mayor, so that any needy patient was able to get bottle of blood at any time.

• After becoming the Mayor of the city, he stopped felicitation ceremony from 7th day. He made a point and instead of his felicitation, he attended every blood donation camp arranged during his tenure.

• Pune Municipal Corporation is the first Municipal Corporation in the Country which donates Rs. 5000/- for Patients undergoing open heart surgery This system was started by Kaka when he was Mayor of the city.

• Jobs were given to disabled and Eunuchs of P.M.C.

• Disabled and Retarded children were given free transport facilities from Pune Municipal Transport. 

• Security Guards were posted for 24 hrs along the canal to avoid water contamination. This has enabled P.M.C. to provide clean clear drinking water for the citizens.

• Public toilets and bathrooms were erected with the help of Sulabh International.

• Free Umbrella repair service was started by him during the rainy season. More than 2000 citizen took the advantage of this service in three days.

• 'Phulrani' the pride of every child of the city. A long standing demand the 3rd compartment was fulfilled by him. This ceremony will be remembered by every child.

• Raincoats were distributed to poor children.

• Greenery on "Naik Bet" is preserved.

• Pet Library was started, for the first time in Maharashtra & only second in the country, at Snake Garden, Katraj.

• He kept open all zoos and Gardens for one week continuously during wild life week.

• Coronations ceremony of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was performed at Lal Mahal. The real event place exactly 318 years ago. The event which was organized on 11th June 1994 was so real and live that everybody who witnessed the scene was very fortunate. Sugar was distributed by the elephant after the ceremony.

• August Kranti Day Golden Jubilee was celebrated for 10 days. Different functions were organized during this day.

• Lectures by freedom fighters were arranged in 160 schools.

• Essay competition for school students was organized. All schools of the city participated in the competition.

• Balgandharva Puraskar was started by him with the help of P.M.C. from 26-06-92. Shantibai Hublikar was the first recipient of the prize.

• Chitramaharshi Bhalji Penharkar was felicitated by P.M.C. Kaka personally presented "Manapatra" to him at Kolhapur.

•  Pandharpur Yatra.

• Mayor Trophy Sports Competition were organized by him after lapse of years.

• Different sports competition were arranged. 

• Gen. Arunkumar Vaidya Stadium was renovated in a month by him and this was made possible at no extra cost burden on P.M.C.

• He was the first Mayor of Pune who donated Fifty One Thousand for Chief Minister Fund from Mayor's Fund.

• Citizen contribution Rs. 13 Lakh for Mayors Fund.

• First time in history the balance Sheet of the Mayor Fund was kept open to the public for 3 days at Balgandharva Rangamandir. 

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Cricket, Acting (Dramas, Movies) Social Work.

Acting :

He is an inborn actor. His affection towards acting has compelled him to work in dramas and movies inspite of his busy and hectic schedule. To name few, he has worked in Marathi Dramas:

• Soujanyachi Aaishi Taishi
• Rajakaran Gele Chulit

He has also worked in Marathi and Hindi Movies-Mera Sindur, Mil Gayi Manzil Muze.

Poetry : He has participated in many Kavi Sammelan and recited his poems.

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• Prabodhankar Thakare Puraskar - 4th April, 1992.
• Raktadan Shiromani Puraskar     - 1993.
• Award for his renowned work in the field of Blood Donation - Govt. of Maharashtra.
• Regional Blood Bank Award - Twice.
• Man of the City Award - 1992 - Citadel Magazine.
• Shatakotar Rakta Data Puraskar with Golden coin by Govt. of Maharashtra 1999.
• Innumerable other awards & Mementos.

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