Palanpur Samaj Kendra

Established In - 1965
Address
Shanti, Kemps Corner,
151, August Kranti Marg,
Mumbai 400 036.
Tel: +91 - 22 - 2363 2288
Contact Persons - Mr. Arun R. Mehta (Chairman)

Trustees

• Mr. Bharat S. Shah - President
• Mr. Arun R. Mehta - Chairman
• Mr. Bharat P. Mehta - Honorary Secretary
• Mr. Sunil B. Jhaveri - Honorary Secretary
• Mr. Jayantilal A. Jhaveri - Honorary Treasurer
• Mrs. Saroj N. Mehta - Joint Secretary
• Mr. Kanu B. Shah - Executive Committee Member
• Mr. Kanu C. Jhaveri - Executive Committee Member
• Mr. Kavin C. Parikh - Executive Committee Member
• Dr. Pradip R. Parikh - Executive Committee Member
• Dr. Satyavati S. Jhaveri - Executive Committee Member
• Mr. Sudhir R. Mehta - Executive Committee Member
• Mr. Chandrakant D. Gandhi - Co-opted Committee Member
• Mr. Kumar A. Mehta - Co-opted Committee Member
• Mr. Navin D. Mehta - Co-opted Committee Member

The Palanpur Samaj Kendra was set up in 1965 by a few leading members of the community in Mumbai with the aim of contributing to the all-round development of Banaskantha district. The main aim of the organization was to effectively put to use time and funds donated by the members of the community for the betterment of their homeland and to ensure that the people meet and interact with each other.

The founder members of the Palanpur Samaj Kendra are Mr. Iqbal Mohammed Khan (Nawab Saheb of Palanpur), Mr. Dalchharam Nanchand Somani, Mr. Kantilal Chhotalal Mehta, Mr. Kanubhai C. Jhaveri, Mr. Pravinbhai D. Mehta, Mr. Chandrakantbhai D. Gandhi, Mr. Shashikantbhai C. Kothari, Mr. Manekbhai V. Savani and Mr. Mahendra G. Mehta.

- Relief and Rehabilitation

Soon after its inception, the Kendra became actively involved in relief work in Gujarat during the famines in the early 70s. In association with the Palanpur Rotary Club and the Deesa Rotary Club it distributed foodgrains, particularly to the widows, aged and children, and also helped the affected people find work. Later it also assisted in the construction of wells and bore wells.

Following floods in 1973 and 1976, the PSK was involved in relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction work along with government, local voluntary bodies and the Bombay Diamond Merchants Association.
- Providing Education

The PSK has been actively involved in construction of permanent school buildings in a few hundred villages in different parts of the Banaskantha district.

It also offered scholarships and financial aid to the needy students of the district. - Developing Medical Infrastructure

Working in collaboration with different government schemes, the PSK set up four clinics in different talukas in Banaskantha. Further, with donations from Friends of Mr. Kunverji Chhotalal Kothari, the PSK and the Indian Medical Association set up a Hall in his memory at the Convalescent Home in Palanpur. It also helped set up the Shri Chandubhai Mohanbhai Mehta Sanatorium.

The Palanpur Samaj Kendra has also arranged help for various panjarapoles of Vaav, Tharad and Deesa.

More recently the PSK has conducted camps in Banaskantha in association with the Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust (RNCT) to provide humanitarian aid to the physically challenged. During the 2005 camps, about 2000 persons were provided with aids like Jaipur foot, calipers, wheelchairs, tricycles etc. In 2007 it also held seven diagnostic camps in the district and identified 938 handicapped persons in need of aid, and provided assistance with the support of private bodies and companies.

In Mumbai

With a large part of its members being based in Mumbai, the PSK has also been active on various fronts within the city with an active Women’s Forum, a youth club named Melange, and by conducting regular sports competitions and social gatherings.

It has also been holding the ‘Rising Stars’ function to felicitate young achievers from within the community.

Palanpur Samaj Kendra has regularly felicitated outstanding Palanpuris for their achievements in respective fields.

On the cultural front PSK had been actively involved in producing annual events including dance ballets, funfairs and various variety entertainment programmes.

Now since the last few years they have been successfully conducting a talent show providing a stage to Palanpuris to unfurl their inherent talents.

Samvaad

Since the mid 1990s, the PSK has been regularly publishing its magazine ‘Samvaad’ which provides information on the community, the activities of the organization, and is also a platform in which members can express themselves on diverse themes.

- On the Sports Field

From the early beginnings in 1989, PSK’s activities in the field of sports has grown tremendously. Today it holds competitions for different age groups and in different disciplines like cricket, carrom, chess, tennis etc.

WOMEN'S FORUM

The Forum organizes a number of regular cultural and social activities. It provides a platform for Palanpuri women of all ages to come together and express themselves and share their views on various subjects through, lectures, workshops and field trips. The highlight is the Annual Exhibition where the members showcase a wide array of items from artefacts to food preparations.

Palanpur Samaj Kendra has also organized creative sessions for children to enhance their imagination and stimulate learning.

PALANPUR SAMAJ TRUST

Trustees

• Dr. Naresh (Nanalal) R. Shah
• Mr. Shaileshbhai R. Mehta
• Mrs. Sanyuktaben P. Mehta
• Mrs. Jayvanti (Mammuben) B. Mehta

The Trust was established in the year 2000. It has published a directory of original Palanpuri members of the Trust, and also runs a health scheme for their benefit. The Trust arranges cultural programmes for the welfare of these members.