I started my practice at a charity clinic and continue to make charity a part of all that I do – both professionally and personally. This vision took the shape of reality with the inauguration of Dr. Batras’ Positive Health Foundation in 2001 – by former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh. With this, I set out to do whatever I could to make a difference in the lives of orphans, elderly, the underprivileged and deprived.
The Foundation supports old-age homes, widows’ homes, orphanages and homes for blind, providing them with free homeopathy consultation and treatment. In each of the cities where Dr. Batra’s has established clinics, needy patients are given consultation and treatment absolutely free of cost once a month. This activity alone extends the health benefits to more than 500 needy patients every month.
Dr. Batras’ Positive Health Foundation also sponsors the education of deserving homeopathy students. Their entire course fee (for five and a half years) is taken care of by the Foundation – with no strings attached.
The Foundation joined hands with animal activist Maneka Gandhi, Trustee, People For Animals, and provides free treatment to animals at the Sanjay Gandhi Animal Care Centre in New Delhi. To reduce animal suffering, I have turned vegetarian and actively promote vegetarianism.
My Foundation has instituted India's first health awards, Dr Batras’ Positive Health Awards, which recognises and honours people who have overcome disease and disability to lead positive, purposeful lives. This annual event has now been extended to three cities across India.
I enjoy photography and travelling and this has translated into an annual exhibition of pictures taken by me and Akshay. I am humbled by the fact that this exhibition has become a well attended fixture on the country’s calendar for the last 7 years; all proceeds from this are used for charity. Although I started taking formal lessons in singing only recently, my first public performance was appreciated by many – the response was truly heartwarming. The funds raised by this event were used by the Foundation to support the cause of an old-age home. My Foundation has kept its goal simple – to benefit maximum number of underprivileged people and to improve their lives!
