Hasmukhbhai V. Mehta

Hasmukhbhai V. Mehta, well known social worker who was closely associated with many charitable organisations in the city, and a leading member of the Rotary Club, passed away recently in Palanpur. He was known for his firmness in decision making and the gentleness of his heart, both of which were evident in ample measure in his work.
 

When, over five decades ago, the Palanpuri Jain community, which had by then mostly relocated to Mumbai, first began to take an active interest in the public life of their hometown, most of the institutions they set up were steered by senior citizens. 

About 45 years ago, soon after the various Palanpuri Jain organisations in Mumbai decided to coordinate their efforts through a common platform, Hasmukbhai Mehta, then relatively young, came on board to lead their efforts locally. He took up the responsibility of running the Upashraya set up by the Palanpuri Jain Sangh, a challenging task given the constraints of the limited funds available for administrative work.

Over the years since then, Hasmukhbhai, as he was popularly known, devoted much time and attention to this work and led many welfare projects and institutions set up in and around the city. He saw to it that institutions such as the Tapagach Upashraya, Old Age Home (Ghardaghar), Jain Kanyashala, Yatrik Bhavan, etc. flourished with new buildings being constructed that were fully equipped with modern conveniences and amenities. 

 At the monthly foodgrain distributtion project

Hasmukhbhai was also an active member of the Rotary Club Palanpur City. He joined the organisation in the 1970s and was instrumental in developing many educational and social projects for the welfare of the underprivileged through it, raising funds from various donors for the purpose.

 Hasmukhbhai with then Gujarat CM Smt Anandiben Patel
and Shri Navinbhai Mehta at inauguration of Mavjat Hosiptal 

He also spearheaded the fund raising for construction of new departments and new buildings at the Kunwarba Institute, for the construction of the Lions Hospital, and other projects.

Many of these projects were made possible thanks to his efforts in bringing in funds from philanthropists in Mumbai

One of the key projects that Hasmukhbhai was involved in in recent years was the establishment of "Mavjat" Multi Specialty Hospital run by Chunilal Mangalji Choksi Trust. For the past five years, he was also closely associated with its functioning, transforming it into one of the premier hospitals in North Gujarat.

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