Committee

Designation: Committee Member
Qualification/Degree: MBBS, DNB Medicine

Dr. Snehal Desai is a practicing physician with over 13 years of experience in diabetes care and preventive health. She is actively associated with the Diabetic Association of India, Poona Branch, and contributes to various diabetes awareness programs, camps, and patient education initiatives.

She has been conducting Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus camps for girls for the past 10 years, helping young patients manage their condition with confidence and proper guidance. Dr. Desai also serves as a panel consultant at DMH and Joshi-Ratna Hospital. In addition, she runs her private outpatient practice at Desai Clinic on Tilak Road.

Designation:President
Qualification/Degree:MBBS, MD (Medicine), Consulting Diabetologist

Dr. Bhaskar Harshe began his career as a Consultant Physician in November 1986 and joined the Diabetic Association of India, Poona Branch as a Consultant Diabetologist in 1989. With his exceptional expertise in diabetes management, patient education, and training of healthcare professionals, he is widely recognized as one of the pioneering diabetologists in Pune.

His name was featured in the book Reference India 1994. He has actively participated in several national and international research projects as a Principal and Co-Investigator and has served as faculty at various state, national, and international diabetes forums.

Dr. Harshe has introduced innovative educational initiatives such as the 'Earn N Learn' program for diabetes healthcare providers. For the past 10 years, he has been conducting the CCEBDM national diabetes training program for doctors in India, designed by the Public Health Foundation of India, for which he has received the Scroll of Honor consecutively for a decade. He has also contributed as an author to Sadikot's International Textbook of Diabetes.

In 2022, he was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Maharashtra Research Society for Study of Diabetes in India.

Dr. Harshe has served the Diabetic Association of India, Poona Branch in several leadership roles including Managing Committee Member, Secretary - Scientific Session, Joint Secretary (General), Secretary (General), and currently President. His vision is to develop and implement an ideal model for diabetes prevention and awareness programs for the betterment of society.

Designation:Joint Secretary
Qualification/Degree:MBBS, Diploma in Diabetology

Dr. Nilesh Kulkarni is a practicing diabetologist in Pune with a special interest in comprehensive diabetes care and management. He is the Proprietor and Consultant Diabetologist at Star Diabetes Care Centre, Warje, Pune, where he provides specialized consultation for patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, with a focus on lifestyle management, patient education, and screening for diabetes-related complications.

He also serves as an Honorary Consultant Diabetologist at the Diabetic Association of India, Poona Branch, contributing to diabetes awareness, patient care, and community health initiatives.

Designation:Joint Secretary HR & Admin
Qualification/Degree:Chartered Accountant (CA)

Mr. Satish Rajpathak, a Chartered Accountant by qualification, built a long and dedicated career in the banking sector with Saraswat Bank. Even during his professional journey, he nurtured a deep passion for photography.

Over the years, his interest in photography evolved into a serious pursuit, which led him to establish a museum of vintage cameras, featuring a remarkable collection of historic photographic equipment.

After his retirement, he also contributed to several projects of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), including the Cheque Truncation System (CTS), UPI, and the BHIM payment system.

Mr. Rajpathak has been associated with the Diabetic Association of India, Poona Branch since 2012. He is the Joint Secretary – HR & Administration, where he actively contributes his experience and organizational skills to support the Association’s various activities and initiatives.

Designation:Committee Member
Qualification/Degree:MBBS, Diploma (Diabetology) UK. - Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Endocrinology

Dr. Sonal Bhojane has been associated with the Association for more than 10 years. She has been actively contributing to the services of our branch clinic, particularly in providing diabetes care to underprivileged patients. Her dedication and commitment towards serving those in need have been valuable to the Association's efforts in delivering accessible diabetes care.

Designation:Secretary
Qualification/Degree:MBBS, MD (Medicine)

Dr. Amit Walimbe is a highly experienced physician based in Pune, with over two decades of clinical practice since 1998. He completed his MBBS and MD in Medicine from B. J. Medical College, Pune. During his college years (1991–92), he served as the General Secretary of the prestigious Arts Circle and was actively involved in music as a singer and organizer of orchestras between 1988 and 1998.

He currently runs his clinical practice on Pune–Satara Road and has been associated as an Honorary Consultant Physician at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital since its inception in 2001. His areas of special interest include Diabetes Mellitus, chronic disease management, preventive healthcare, and the care of cardiac surgery patients.

Dr. Walimbe has also contributed significantly to medical education. He is a Postgraduate Teacher for DNB Medicine since 2018 and has previously served as a postgraduate teacher for DNB Family Medicine.

He has been actively associated with the Diabetic Association of India, Poona Branch since 1999. Over the years, he has played a key role in managing the Bal Madhumehi Vibhag (Type 1 Diabetes Section), initially contributing to counselling and treatment and later leading the division. He has also been involved in Type 2 diabetes OPDs at Karve Road and Sahakarnagar. His contributions extend to patient education lectures, awareness programs, camps, residential programs, annual meetings, and Continuing Medical Education (CME) initiatives for doctors. He has served the association in various leadership roles, including Managing Committee Member, Joint Secretary, and is currently serving as Secretary.

In addition, Dr. Walimbe is an active member of the Association of Physicians of India, Pune Branch. He has served as Treasurer from 2018 to 2025 and is presently the Secretary. He played an important role in organizing MAPCON 2022, the Maharashtra State-level Conference of Physicians held in Pune and has been invited as faculty for MAPCON 2022 and 2023. He remains actively involved in organizing CMEs, lectures, and conferences for physicians.

Beyond his medical profession, Dr. Walimbe has a deep passion for music. Singing remains his cherished hobby, and he has been actively participating in various musical programs over the past decade.

Designation:Treasurer
Qualification/Degree:Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering & Master’s in computer science

Mr. Pariksheet Deval is a third-generation entrepreneur from Pune who continues a strong family legacy of service to the Diabetic Association of India, Poona Branch. He follows in the footsteps of his grandfather, Late Mr. V. M. Deval, one of the founding members of the Association, and his father, Late Mr.Vishwas Deval, who devoted many years to its development.

Currently serving as Treasurer, Mr. Deval combines this legacy with a modern professional background. He holds a degree in Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering from MIT World Peace University, Pune, and a master’s in computer science from California State University.

He is also a partner at Deval Utensils Factory (established in 1939), where he upholds a tradition of quality and precision while contributing to the Association’s financial stewardship. An innovator by nature, he has developed patented products such as the Libremos herbal repellent and the"Aayuto" automatic stirring system, reflecting his passion for practical and health-focused innovations.