Date: July 30, 2026
Venue: Aditi Hospital, Tumakuru
For Neonates Foundation of India, every healthy beginning starts long before a baby enters the world.
On July 30, 2026, the Foundation took an important step towards strengthening that beginning with the launch of its first-ever Community Antenatal Awareness Program (CAAP) at Aditi Hospital, Tumakuru, in collaboration with Aditi Hospital and Dr. B.B. Raghunath, popularly known as the Seemanthada Doctor.
The initiative brought together 23 expectant mothers in their second and third trimesters, their families, healthcare professionals, and members of the NFI team for a day centred on awareness, care, celebration, and community.
The program was designed to empower mothers with practical knowledge around antenatal care, nutrition, warning signs during pregnancy, breastfeeding, emotional well-being, and preparation for a safe delivery, while also creating a space to celebrate the journey into motherhood.
Beginning with Hope
The program commenced with a warm welcome by Dr. Likhitha K.G., Obstetrician & Gynecologist at Aditi Hospital, who introduced the dignitaries and set the context for the day’s proceedings.
The formal inauguration began with the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp by Ms. Tanya Bali, Dr. B.B. Raghunath, Dr. Mythili, and one of the participating expectant mothers—a symbolic representation of the partnership between healthcare professionals, the community, and mothers at the heart of the initiative.
Celebrating Motherhood with Dr. B.B. Raghunath
The gathering then heard from Dr. B.B. Raghunath, whose widely recognised Seemantha initiative has earned him the affectionate title of Seemanthada Doctor.
Sharing the story behind his work, Dr. Raghunath spoke about his commitment to ensuring that every expectant mother experiences dignity, support, and celebration during pregnancy, regardless of her circumstances.
He also spoke about his other social initiatives, including Notebook Abhiyana and the Catching Hearts Foundation, highlighting how meaningful change can begin when communities come together with compassion and a shared sense of responsibility.
Creating Space for Emotional Well-being
Pregnancy is a time of immense physical and emotional change. Recognising the importance of maternal mental well-being, the program included a 20-minute Music Therapy session led by Dr. Mythili.
Through calming music and guided exercises, expectant mothers were introduced to simple techniques that could help them relax, manage stress, and nurture emotional well-being during pregnancy. The mothers were encouraged to continue these practices at home as part of their everyday pregnancy journey.
Dr. Likhitha further reinforced the importance of incorporating simple, supportive practices that contribute to the overall well-being of both mother and baby.
Knowledge That Supports a Healthy Beginning
At the heart of CAAP was an interactive antenatal awareness session conducted by Dr. Likhitha K.G.
The session covered essential aspects of pregnancy care, including:
- The importance of regular antenatal check-ups
- Recognising warning signs during pregnancy
- Healthy lifestyle practices and precautions
- Nutrition during pregnancy
- Breastfeeding awareness
- Preparing for a safe delivery
The session encouraged mothers and their families to stay informed, recognise when medical attention may be required, and make timely, informed decisions throughout pregnancy.
For NFI, this represents an important part of its larger commitment to strengthening the continuum of care, from supporting mothers during pregnancy to ensuring that newborns receive the care they need after birth.
A Celebration of Motherhood
The awareness sessions were followed by a traditional Seemantha (Baby Shower) ceremony for mothers in their third trimester, conducted under the guidance of Dr. B.B. Raghunath.
The ceremony was led by Dr. Likhitha, Ms. Tanya Bali, and Dr. Mythili, creating a joyful and meaningful moment for the expectant mothers and their families.
As part of the celebration, NFI sponsored Seemantha kits containing traditional essentials such as sarees, holige, bananas, bangles, and other baby shower items.
For mothers in their second trimester, NFI provided nutrition support kits containing Iron Chocolates and Women’s Horlicks, while Aditi Hospital contributed care kits with traditional baby shower essentials, including bananas and bangles.
The initiative brought together awareness and celebration in a way that made each mother feel supported, valued, and cared for.
Extending Care Beyond Awareness
The day’s commitment to maternal health continued with complimentary ultrasound scans for all participating mothers, arranged by Aditi Hospital.
The screenings provided an opportunity for the mothers to continue their antenatal monitoring while reinforcing the importance of regular medical care throughout pregnancy.
Celebrating a Partnership for Newborns
The event also marked an important milestone in the partnership between Neonates Foundation of India and Aditi Hospital, which began in 2024.
In recognition of the partnership and the hospital’s contribution towards providing quality neonatal care, NFI felicitated Aditi Hospital for collectively supporting more than 27 newborns through the Foundation’s work.
The hospital was presented with a Partnership Recognition Plaque, Certificate of Appreciation, and an Appreciation Diary Set, which was received by the Hospital SPOC, Mr. Nizam.
NFI also expressed its gratitude to Dr. B.B. Raghunath and Dr. Mythili for their valuable contributions towards making the first CAAP launch a meaningful experience for the mothers and the wider community.
Building Healthier Beginnings, Together
The day concluded with a group photograph bringing together the dignitaries, healthcare professionals, expectant mothers, families, and the NFI team, a fitting reflection of the community that came together to support healthier beginnings.
The launch of the Community Antenatal Awareness Program marks a new chapter in Neonates Foundation of India’s efforts to strengthen maternal and newborn health.
Because protecting a newborn’s future begins before birth.
By bringing healthcare professionals, hospitals, communities, and expectant mothers together, CAAP creates a space where knowledge becomes confidence, support becomes care, and every pregnancy can begin with a stronger foundation.
For Neonates Foundation of India, it is another step towards a future where every mother is supported, every birth is given a better chance, and every tiny beginning has the opportunity to thrive.
Neonates Foundation of India fights for the right of every underprivileged, critically ill newborn to survive and thrive.
