Prahlad Gopal Pawar has been living in Jai Bhavani Nagar for the past 50 years. At 70 years old, he lives with his wife and continues to work as an auto-rickshaw driver to support their daily needs. With no pension or additional source of income, the couple survives on his modest monthly earnings of ₹5,000. Despite suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes, Prahlad remained determined to stay independent.

However, his life was increasingly affected by a severe hearing problem. He struggled to hear passenger instructions and road signals, making driving stressful and unsafe. As a result, he avoided driving at night or in congested areas, which further reduced his income and confidence.

Recognising his situation, the Vrudhhamitra team guided Prahlad to undergo a proper hearing assessment and obtain the required medical certificate. With this support, we approached the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Trust, which provides hearing aids to elderly individuals in need.

Within a few days of submitting the documents, Prahlad received a hearing aid that was carefully fitted for him. The change was immediate and life-altering. Sounds that had slowly faded away returned: conversations, traffic, passengers’ voices, and the rhythm of everyday life.

Today, Prahlad drives his autorickshaw confidently and with renewed joy. The hearing aid has not only improved his safety on the road but also restored his independence and self-respect. With deep gratitude, he thanked the entire Vrudhhamitra team for helping him hear the world again.

Impact –

A small intervention brought back not just sound, but dignity, confidence, and livelihood to an elderly citizen who refused to give up.