Published on: March 31, 2026

As part of the ongoing efforts of Pallium India to strengthen palliative care initiatives across the country, I recently had the opportunity to visit Nandurbar, a predominantly tribal district in Maharashtra, characterised by hilly terrains, forest cover, poor connectivity, extreme poverty, marginalization and scattered habitation. The visit aimed at understanding grassroot efforts and exploring possibilities for strengthening community-based care in underserved regions. During the visit, I interacted with the dedicated team of Karuna Evam Shanti Vahini (KeSV), an organization working to serve communities living in geographically challenging and remote areas. Discussion with their team members provided insights into the challenges and their commitment to addressing the needs of tribal populations.

A particularly meaningful part of the visit was accompanying their team on field visits to remote villages. Reaching these communities itself required effort- we had to park our vehicle and walk nearly two kilometres uphill through difficult terrain. This journey highlighted realities faced by healthcare providers and community workers striving to ensure that care reaches the most marginalised populations. During the walk to the village, I couldn’t help but reflect on how distance, terrain and limited resources often stand in between vulnerable communities and essential healthcare. Yet seeing the dedication of the KeSV team reminded me that compassion and commitment can overcome many barriers. Their quiet determination to reach people living in the remote hills of Nandurbar reflects the very essence of community centred care – where service is not defined by convenience but by the willingness to stand beside those who are often forgotten.

Witnessing the dedication of the team working in such conditions was deeply inspiring. Their work reflects the spirit of compassion and community engagement that lies at the heart of palliative care. It also reinforced the importance of local organizations that understand the social and cultural context of the communities they serve.

During my visit to the villages, I also had the opportunity to spend some time with women from the Bhil tribe. Their language was completely different, and yet we communicated through smiles, gestures and simple expressions. In those moments, I realized how human connection often goes beyond spoken language.

I was also deeply fascinated by their traditional jewelry – bold, beautiful pieces that seemed to carry stories of culture, identity and pride. That brief interaction reminded me that even in the most remote places, warmth and dignity serves as a universal language.

As a Regional Facilitator for this region, these visits are an important step in building relationships, learning from grassroot experience, and identifying opportunities to strengthen palliative care services in underserved areas. Collaborations with committed organizations like Karuna Evam Shanti Vahini hold great promise in expanding access to compassionate care in remote tribal regions.

This visit was not only a learning experience but also a reminder that meaningful healthcare outreach often requires going the extra mile- sometimes quite literally- to reach those who need it the most.

Sometimes the path to compassionate care begins where the road ends.

Hats off to the team of KeSV and to Mrs Sonalini Mirchandani madam for all the wonderful work they do for this district.

I also had the opportunity to visit the Chinchpada Christian Hospital, one of the oldest hospitals of Navapur block of Nandurbar district. It was a privilege meeting Dr Ashita Singh and the home care team. I visited few patients along with the home care team and witnessed firsthand how they were delivering the services by following all the principles of home-based palliative care. Meeting the Hon’ble Collector Nandurbar Dr Mittali Sethi was like a cherry on the cake. An ortho dentist herself, she showed a lot of interest in palliative care, which paves way for smooth rolling out of palliative care activities in the district.

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