Mumbai, January 11, 2021: Ghanshyamdas Saraf Trust has in a span of 60 years, initiated and accomplished innumerable welfare projects such as social service, educational endeavours, women’s welfare, child development, rehabilitation of the handicap, relief for visually challenged people, healthcare, sports development, patronising art, literature and culture, etc. Most importantly, the Trust has done it without making caste, creed or religion as the criteria for his benevolence.
The Trust was founded by Mahavirprasad Saraf, 87, a well-known industrialist and philanthropist.
Reflecting on the long journey of philanthropy, Mahavirprasad Saraf said, “Taking inspiration from my father whom I always witnessed helping and feeding the poor and needy, I began my journey with the auspicious act of constructing Shree Hanumanji Mandir in Malad East, followed by the construction of Saraf Matru Mandir – a Dharamshala for the common man and later went on to install a record 21,695 benches till date to provide rest to tired citizens at public places. Efforts are still on to provide more benches, wherever they are needed.” This contribution has featured five times in the Limca Book of Records. For thirsty commuters, he has set up 97 Pyaus (Drinking Water Huts) at railway stations which have also been recorded in the Limca Book of Records.
Healthcare and Wellness: Setting up a 10,000 sq. ft. Durgadevi Saraf OPD, 9,000 sq. ft. State-of-the-art Kirandevi Saraf Imaging Centre for CT Scan & MRI and a Maternity Ward at Nanavati Hospital, Burns Ward at V N Desai Hospital, Eye OPD Ward, 23 Ambulances, and organised many eye camps.
Promoting Education: Setting up the Ghanshyamdas Saraf College, Durgadevi Saraf Junior College, Durgadevi Saraf Institute of Management Studies, Centre of Excellence, learning centre, library and reading room, two hostels for Adivasi boys and girls, computer centres, Balwadi, Bal Mandir, etc.
Women and Child Welfare: Donated sewing machines, water filters, pressure cookers, mixers, etc, opened sewing classes, held many karyashalas.
Community Service: Setting up five halls for holding community functions, six Sarvajanik Sauchalayas for convenience of the public, rooms for senior citizens at old aged homes, four rooms at Gujarati Bhavan, Jogeshwari, public library, yoga centre, gymnasiums for handicapped, tricycles, wheelchairs, PCOs, therapy centre, and Braille watches to visually-challenged people.
Art, Literature and Culture: Hundreds of writers are given help to publish books, instituted literary awards, gold medals, cash awards, Raas Garba, Geet Gaan Spardhaas, etc. Sports development has also been actively promoted by the Trust.
The Trust’s tangible work for the poor and needy in the city is endless and its contribution in the field of social service is legendary.
