Ashish K. Mehta was felicitated by Rotary Club Palanpur City with the annual Banas Ratna Award for 2022-23 at a function organized in the city in mid-June. The award was in recognition of his social and philanthropic contributions to community development in Bansakantha district, and for his association with charitable activity that has served as an inspiration across Gujarat.

Speaking at the function, Ashishbhai said that he represents a generation that was born away from Palanpur, and belongs to a community that never lost its roots, and always made a conscious effort to give back to the town of Palanpur. They saw education as the best investment for the future of the town. Vidyamandir is a prime example of this spirit, where the love and affection of the community was channeled into creating a world-class educational institution in their hometown. Vidyamandir truly represents the effort of the entire community.
 

He added that “the real credit has to go to my father, who many of you may know as Kanubhai”, who along with Suryakantbhai Parikh laid the foundation for activities of the Trust. The foundation they laid was so strong that even after over 30 years of Kanubhai’s passing away the Trust has been able to grow its activities multifold on it. 
 

He also mentioned the contributions of the committed staff and the local committee over the years. 
 

After briefly outlining the impact that Vidyamandir has had on the city and district in terms of the significant increase in literacy as well as its development as a medical hub in the region, Ashishbhai also drew attention to the constant evolution of the Trust to stay relevant to changing times and new challenges. He said that looking at the future, VMT has already taken a major step by setting up a new Skill Development Centre as an independent institution.
 

Finally, thanking the Club for the Award, he stressed, “However, it is without an iota of doubt that I can say that this award is not mine; it is a recognition of the achievements of the Vidyamandir family.”