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IMPRESSIONS | 149
Ms. Abhilasha Singhvi Founder and Executive Trustee, Manav Seva Sannidhi which holds camps every year for free limb replacement in Gujarat and the rest of the country.
I sat in deep reflection trying to express my thoughts on Pratap Bhogilal, whom I fondly call 'Mota Mama'. It is always difficult to write about those who have been living legends. Pratapbhai truly lives up to his name 'Pratap'in the valorous, inspiring life he has led.
A rare and exceptional human being, his zest for life and living compel us not to count the years in his life but the life in his years. His life has been a saga of enterprise and achievement, of goodness, good deeds and goodwill spread over decades.
It is not that I have had too many interactions or lengthy meetings with Pratapbhal, but that is precisely why I value and cherish the meetings I've had with him. He impacted me in the brief moments spent with him with his sense of discipline, be it in his Spartan food habits, his exercise regime or the unfailing regularity and devotion in performing his puja every day. So also his belief in the gift of life and that it should be used as a means to benefit others, and his unflinching faith in religion as an anchor in his life. What touched me most of all was his ability to fearlessly stand by his convictions and the rare courage to stand beside another and provide strength by his presence.
My father, late Dr. L.M. Singhvi and Pratapbhai shared an abiding mutually reciprocal relationship for many years, based on deep respect and common values fostered by the numerous platforms of education, religion and philanthropy they had shared.
Despite his busy schedule, Pratapbhai came to Ahmedabad to bless me at one of my Artificial Limbs and Polio Calipers camps, which I have been conducting for the last 20 years for the poorest of the poor. He sat for quite a while and watched me and my patients perform garba (a traditional Gujarati dance form), and later sent me a letter of deep appreciation for my dedicated involvement in this humanitarian venture.
Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall – Bible Pro: 16:18
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