To help raise funds for the cause, a classical vocal recital by the Thumri queen Shobha Gurtu is planned on November 28 at the Chattushrungi temple. This is the first time that a cultural event is being organised at the temple. The event also coincides with the silver jubilee of the Hardikar Hospital. NCP chief Sharad Pawar who is an honorary trustee of the trust will release the souvenir on the occasion.

According to Dr Sharad Hardikar, chief of the hospital told mediapersons that their hospital was the only one in the country to conduct a special type of surgery for spastics. Called the Orthopedic Selective Spasticity Control surgery, this helps spastic children improve their mobility and coordinated activities. ``Spastic children are not mentally retarded but their daily activities in life are hampered because of the spasticity of muscles and difficulty in walking. The rehabilitation of spastic children requires surgical release of spastic muscles for coordinated group of activities'' he said. Over 50 such surgeries have been conducted on children so far.