Swapnil Arun Gawande:
Managing Trustee of DEESHA Group,
Chairperson (WZ) of Eye Bank Association of India
Swapnil Arun Gawande is a true visionary and the founder of the Deesha Group. From a young age, Swapnil was driven by a profound purpose to bring positive change to the lives of others. Swapnil embarks on a transformative journey to revolutionize healthcare in India.
With a solid educational background, Swapnil holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering and pursued an MBA & PGPDM from the esteemed SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) Mumbai. He further honed his expertise by completing the EPGDHA program in Hospital Administration at the renowned Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) Mumbai.
But Swapnil's journey is not just one of academic achievements; his passion also marks for music. As a trained classical violinist and a dedicated Padma Bhushan Dr N Rajam student, Swapnil completed Sangeet Visharad, showcasing his artistic talents and creative spirit.
As the Managing Trustee of Deesha Group, Swapnil took the initiative to establish D.E.F's Deesha International Eye Banks, creating a network of eye banks across various cities. His relentless efforts have facilitated over 12,908 eye donations.
Swapnil's commitment to making eye care accessible to all led him to establish Mobile Eye Care Units under the Deesha Education Foundation. These fully equipped units reached underserved areas, benefitting over 24,200 individuals till March 2023, and addressed eye care issues among school-going children, reducing school dropouts and improving academic performance.
His dedication to collaboration and strengthening the nonprofit sector led to the initiation of Management Development Programs, empowering leaders and changemakers within the industry.
Swapnil's relentless pursuit of purpose over lucrative career opportunities earned him respect and recognition. UPSC shortlisted him for a position in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
His remarkable contributions and achievements earned him the prestigious distinction of being the youngest Chairperson (WZ) of the Eye Bank Association of India, Hyderabad. He spearheaded impactful initiatives like the Cornea Distribution System, centralized cloud-based helpline number, and the Digitization of the Eye Bank, ensuring transparency and efficiency in distributing donated tissues and eye and organ donation processes.
During the challenging COVID-19 pandemic, Swapnil rose to the occasion, playing a vital role in establishing COVID-19 testing labs through a public-private partnership model. His efforts provided free testing to people across various districts of Maharashtra and beyond, making a significant difference in the fight against the virus.
At just 29 years old, Swapnil's unwavering dedication has sensitized over 14 lakh people, conducted awareness programs in over 900 institutes, and convinced more than 6 lakh individuals to pledge eye donations.
His exemplary work has earned him accolades, including the Global Nagpur Award 2021, SPJIMR Alumni Award 2021, Amazing Indian 2022, and Forbes Foundation Fellowship 2023.
Discover the extraordinary journey of Swapnil Arun Gawande, a multifaceted individual committed to transforming lives and shaping a brighter future for healthcare in India.