Knowing Our Members
Knowing Our Members
A Conversation with Rtn. PP Dr. Aruna Umranikar
By Rtn. Krishna Kumar
Interview with PP Dr. Aruna Umranikar, at the Lopmudra Meera Hospital, Shankarshet Road on 30h July 2025.
I met Rotarian PP Dr. Aruna Umranikar at her hospital, Lopmudra Meera Hospital, Shankarshet road for what turned out to be an hour-long conversation. Her demure & unassuming personality complemented the authoritative aura around her.
So, tell me about this hospital, which seems to be under a finishing touch of the upgrade being done to it.
This hospital, originally an obstetrics & gynaecology hospital operated out of a bungalow in this premise, was made into a public charity hospital right from the beginning, formed under a trust. We built this new hospital in 2009 under our public charity trust, named Harsha Vardhan Medical Foundation. But since the passing of my husband a few years ago, we were contemplating but finally have handed it over to someone to run this as a multi-speciality hospital. I am the managing
trustee and have an overall watch over it. Late Rotarian PP Rajendra Shah was also a trustee in the hospital. Rtn. PP Raja Kharadkar is also a trustee of my Foundation.
We have funded this entirely out of our pockets and so far, we haven’t depended on charity. However, as this hospital becomes upgraded, there is an idea to equip it with modern facilities such as CT scan, ICU etc, for which we will need CSR support. This hospital is in a prime location, spread over 26000 square feet.
What keeps you busy now?
I continue to do honorary work for KEM, for undergraduate and postgraduate students. And then there is this hospital, that requires attention.
Tell me about your family…
I have 4 children, including one daughter and 3 sons. 3 of them are doctors including their spouses, in UK. One son runs a vegan café in Pune, and his wife is a political science professor in Fergussons.
You were the 2nd woman President of Rotary Club of Pune Central. Please tell me more about that.
Yes, Rotary International allowed women to become members in 1989. My husband was a Rotarian at RCPC since it started in 1984, and he was the club President during the term of 1995-96. I thoroughly enjoyed being a Rotarian, since we did a lot of charity and community service. Besides the social work, the socialisation was a big attraction. We made so many friends here. You know, when you make friends at Rotary, they are your friends for life. I was the 2nd woman President of RCPC for the year 2003-04. Rotarian PP Late Manjula Vishwanath was the first woman President.
It was a tough act to balance our very busy life as doctors with our social work through RCPC. But I had a good team to support me as the President.
How do you compare your time as the President versus today?
Being a President today is a very challenging job. The times have changed. Digitalisation has happened, due to which there is a lot of social media exposure. Besides there is a huge demand from the President today, from all quarters, including Rotary International, District and the club itself. On top of it, the members are occupied with their personal business, job or professions, and it is not easy to pay attention to everything at the same time. It is amazing to see the Club doing so many good projects.
How do you feel about all this charitable work you have done and continue to do?
I feel very satisfied. We are now helping the third generation to deliver beautiful babies to the world. We feel happy when people meet and greet us with respect us. It makes the last 45 years of honest work worth the while. It is also very gratifying to see our children continue the work as doctors, albeit outside India.
We, as the public trust hospital have done several projects with Rotary, including international projects like HPV Vaccine for girls and Cardiac surgeries for children. And therefore, we are seen as major donors. We also have contributed to KEM hospital for upgrading their obstetrics and gynaecology departments.
Any memorable stories from your long experience?
I studied in the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC). My father was a doctor, but we had no one in the Armed Forces. I was a Poona girl and had no exposure to anything outside Pune. But at AFMC, students from all over the country came to study and I learnt so many things during those five years, that it has become an incredible and indelible memory.
One of the many episodes in my life as a practicing doctor, was about delivering the child of a doctor. It was a very stressful job, because in those days there was no ultrasound. And one had to depend on one’s ability and skill completely. The child was in a breech position. The mother went into labour and it was highly stressful for me, because of what could go wrong. But it went well, and I was hugely relieved. I have faith in God and believe in prayers, that there is something above us that takes care of us.
Is it true that doctors prefer doctors as their spouses?
It is not a rule, but it is true that couples who are both doctors are more compatible as they understand each other better. They help each other to grow, and that is the key to a successful marriage. I have been blessed to be one of those happy, successful people.
There is a myth that doctors are very serious people.
(laughs). No, no that is not true. We doctors still meet, often at Poona Club and have a good time, filled with laughs, jokes and stories, and of course good food.
What do you like to do besides being a doctor?
I was very good in the arts, such as drawing, painting, embroidery. That was before I joined medical college. I would like to pick some of it up again, including reading, when time permits.
What is your message to the new members of RCPC?
Rotary is a lovely institution, and I encourage all new members to find time from their busy schedules to spend some time with Rotary and its initiatives. Soon you will realise it’s worth and you will become part of it forever. I do understand that new members find it odd that there are so many aged members in the club. But if you look at it differently, you will realise that all these members have done a lot for Rotary and earned their rightful place in the club. Young members must take advantage of their wisdom.
It is also important for the older members to find ways to connect with the new young members and make them feel part of the club. That is healthy to do so. This effort is best done by both older and new members, and it is up to us. Assimilations and mini fellowships are good, but there are so many members that it becomes challenging to create a one-on-one bonding. Besides, involving new members in projects is a great way to bring all of us together. We need to revive the fireside get-togethers & picnics.
Rotarian Past President Dr. Aruna Umranikar had stood first in the University in her MD exams. That was despite the challenging circumstances in her life at the time. It shows her grit, conviction and determination to persevere and excel in her pursuits, academic or otherwise. Her cheer and smile rubbed off on me, as I thanked her for her time.
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