There is a popular saying that if you want to change the world, you need to first change yourself. There is so much truth in this eternal piece of wisdom. Dr. Arpita Chatterjee, the founder of the NGO “World Healing Society Foundation“, is one of them who has been very determined on finding a way to empower society.
The vision of her NGO is to have a platform for people who have the vision for a better world to live and heal the pain and suffering of all the beings on this planet. She firmly believes that everyone has good potential to be their best and has the ability to bring about change for good but that change has to come from within themselves. This intention empowers her and by this, she empowers others in the process. She wants today’s youth to have a firm belief in themselves and a clear vision as only then can they surpass challenges and achieve their dreams.
Early years and Education
Her father is an ex-Airman who was earlier working as a junior warrant officer, travelling frequently with his new postings. However, when she was in class 10, her parents decided to stay in Vadodara. Her mother is a retired vocal trainer who used to run her classical sangeet school earlier from home and used to take care of her and her younger sister. Her younger sister, Pushpita Chatterjee, is the General Secretary of the World Healing Society Foundation and professionally she is an IELTS trainer.
Arpita completed her primary schooling from KV Hebbal, Bangalore, and secondary and higher secondary from KV EME, Vadodara. She then did her BHMS from Shree Mahalaxmiji Mahila Homoeopathic Medical College, Vadodara in 2009 after which she was working for 2 and a half years at Padma Maternity Hospital as a Medical officer. In 2012, she enrolled for her MD in Homoeopathy from V.H Dave Homoeopathic medical college, Anand. She has also done her PG Diploma in clinical and applied hypnosis, PG Diploma in Clinical and Community Psychology from Psychology Department of MS University Baroda, Diploma in Fitness Management from MS University Baroda, and Certificate course in mental health assessment from the Roehampton University of London.
She was inspired by Mother Teresa as a child for her selfless service towards the suffering humankind and found her as an epitome of love and compassion.
She loves to read books on spirituality, biographies, medicine, alternative medicines, scientific journals, etc as it helps her feed her mind with the knowledge. Some of her hobbies include traveling, meditation, workouts, theatres, singing and spending time with her pets, with the animals, and in nature, as it keeps her fuelled with energy.
The start of her journey
During her college days, she along with her sister would render their services to the Art of Living Foundation by going to the slums and teaching the students life skills and meditation. They would dispense medicine and learn about social activities which created a very strong impact on their young adult life.
In September 2012, she was struggling with Depression and IBS and had an urge to do selfless service to society. So she took her medical kit with homeopathic medicines and went along with her maid to the slum where she lived. When her maid spread the word in the slums that a doctor has come and would be dispensing medicine, within 2 hours more than 60 patients came. The kids in the slums helped her in preparing and dispensing the medicine. She had a wonderful experience that day and felt very peaceful.
Marching ahead – focus in place
On 16th December 2012, there was this shocking crime in New Delhi and a peace march and protests were happening for the justice of Nirbhaya. On 30th December, one of her aunts called to enquire about the details of the candle march to join it. However, as she was not aware of it, her aunt scolded how the youth were partying irresponsibly instead of fighting for the justice of Nirbhaya. This moment had a strong impact on her and she decided to do the candle march. However, none of her best friends were ready to join her in this. She then decided to join her aunt along with her cousin and her dad. She then spread the word with her neighbours and by noon, there were 80 people from her neighbourhood willing to come for the candle march. Later by evening, they had 150 plus people for this candle march for the justice of Nirbhaya and this was the day that the Healing Society was incepted. It was started as a movement on 30th Dec 2012 which gradually turned into an NGO in 2017 with the name World Healing Society Foundation with more than 200 healers around the globe.
Her family has been very supportive from the start and her friends and sister also joined as the trustee members and regional directors for the NGO.
Awards and accolades
For her contribution in social work, she was awarded the “Being Woman 2020”. In 2019, she received the Chatrapati Shivaji Heroes of Baroda Flood award and the Pride of Baroda award in 2019. In 2021, she received the Women ACHIEVER’S Award 2021 from Parul University and the Remarkable Women’s Award 2021.
She is member of Gujarat State Homeopathic Council, Executive Member of “Afghanistan Homoeopathic Medicine Association” executive member and spokesperson of the scientific committee of All India Homoeopathic students and youth’s association women award in 2021.
She was featured in March 2021 Lifestyle magazine’s empowering women edition. She has been nominated for 3 consecutive years for the environment excellence award in 2017, 18, 19. She received the “Certificate of appreciation” by “JAIN PUBLISHERS” and also “COVID 19 WARRIOR APPRECIATION CERTIFICATE” FROM Homoeopathic Chikitsha Vikas Mahasangh. She received another Covid 19 warrior appreciation certificate from the Human Rights and Anti-Crime Organization. More awards that includes International Inspirational Women Award 2021 by GISR, Woman Icon of the year award 2021, and India’s Diva Award 2021.In 2021, she also won the Global Icon Award 2021 for being a young social activist, academician, and homeopath.
Challenges on the way
Initially, she was ridiculed and not taken seriously as she was a young girl and also for being single. She faced a lot of challenges as she became successful on her own terms.
Another challenge that her organization have to face is over finances. She and other trustee members of the NGO came from middle-class families and so had to get help from different sources to complete projects. She treasures the truly dedicated volunteers who have a clear vision and selfless purpose to serve. She is working on a life skill training project called Legendary Minds for kids, adolescents, and young adults to embed in them good virtues and mindset-based training.
What’s in the future?
In the future, she wants to have a community of more healers sharing a similar vision of making this world a better place to live in and spread peace. She also wants more selfless volunteers to join their movement of being the change. They want to adopt more senior citizens who have been abandoned and are sick. She plans to have – Dignity homes- a project to keep senior citizens who are homeless or have no money to sustain themselves. She wants to make sign language a part of every educational curriculum to have an inclusive society. In addition, opening a rescue and shelter home for animals and promoting the ideas of a sustainable environment with their campaigns are in her pipeline too.
