Dr. Smita Kolhe is a doctor and an Indian activist who has dedicated over 30 years of her life to the people of the backward district of Melghat, Maharashtra. She is the wife of Dr. Ravindra Kolhe, also a doctor and an Indian activist who fights for the upliftment of tribal communities in Melghat, Maharashtra.
Wiki/Biography
Dr. Smita Kolhe was born in 1965 (55 years old in 2020) in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Dr. Smita Kolhe started practicing medicine in Nagpur where she met Dr. Ravindra Kolhe who was completing his MD course there. They decided to get married and moved to Melghat, Maharashtra to try to improve the lives of the villagers.
appearance
Height (approximate): 5′ 0″
Eye color: Black
Hair color: Gray
family
Parents and siblings
There is not much information about Dr. Smita Kolhe’s parents or siblings.
Husband and children
Dr. Smita Kolhe married Dr. Ravindra Kolhe in 1989. Dr. Ravindra Kolhe holds an MBBS degree and has also completed his MD course. They have two sons – Rohit Kolhe (a farmer) and Ram Kolhe (a doctor).
Dr. Smita Kolhe and Dr. Ravindra Kolhe
Dr. Smita Kolhe and her sons Ram Kolhe (left) and Rohit Kolhe (right)
Profession
After obtaining her MBBS, Dr. Smita Kolhe started practicing medicine in Nagpur, Maharashtra. In 1989, she met Dr. Ravindra Kolhe, a doctor who was looking for a life partner to accompany him in his mission to improve the quality of life of the tribals in Melghat, Maharashtra. He put forward some conditions for the marriage, and Dr. Smita agreed to all of them. After the marriage, both of them moved to Melghat to provide medical assistance to the villagers.
Dr. Smita Kolhe and Dr. Ravindra Kolhe working in the village
Awards and Honors
Dr. Ravindra Kolhe and Dr. Smita Kolhe received the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian award, from President Ram Nath Kovind.
Dr. Smita Kelch receives the Padma Shri from Indian President Ram Nath Kovind
Facts/Trivia
- While working for the welfare of tribal people in Melghat village, Dr. Smita Kolhe gave birth to a child. Dr. Ravindra decided to deliver the baby himself, just as he did for other villagers. Unfortunately, there were some complications when her first child was born, and Dr. Smita had the option of moving to a better hospital, but she chose to stay in the village. This helped her gain the trust and respect of the villagers.
- With the help of the doctor couple’s concerted efforts and sincere dedication, the infant mortality rate in the area has dropped from 200‰ to 40‰, and the preschool mortality rate has dropped from 400‰ to 100‰.
- The couple often conducts workshops and camps for the youth of the village and rural communities. In these camps and workshops, they talk about different farming techniques, the importance of farming and how the government has provided certain favourable schemes for agriculture. The couple’s elder son Rohit Kolhe is a farmer and their younger son Ram Kolhe is a doctor who wants to become a surgeon and help his parents in the village. The couple has been invited on many talk shows and events.
Dr. Smita and Dr. Ravindra Kolhe on the TV show Kanala Khada
- The state public works minister approached Dr. Smita Kolhe and offered to build a house for the Kolhe family. Dr. Smita did not ask him to build a house, but to improve the road connectivity of the village, and thanks to her efforts, more than 70% of the village now has good road connectivity.
- Dr. Smita and Dr. Ravindra Kolhe were invited to participate in Karamveer’s special episode on the December 4, 2020 show “Kaun Banega Crorepati”.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education