Vardhaman Book on Jainism

Author(s): Jayshree Menon
Publisher: Bennete Coleman & Co Ltd

Page 78

Resolute that service alone is the
true path to
salvation, Mafatkaka can convince airlines to
part with their
leftovers and marriage parties to
hand over their surplus food. A true
champion of the poor, his benevolence ranges from medical
to educational aid, from organising eye
camps to polio correction centres among a host of other gracious
activities
Diwaliben was involved in acts of charity, helping those in distress with guidance and advice. After the early death of her husband, she concentrated on cultivating these traits in he children.
In 1955, Mafatkaka first came in touch with Mahasati Ujwalkumariji. Through her guidance, he plunged headlong into the task of providing succour to the poor and deprived, the physically, mentally and visually handicapped as well as orphans. His charity work brought him closer to humanitarians such as Mother Teresa, Baba Amte and Pandurang Shastri Athavale.
In grateful tribute to his mother, Mafatkaka dedicated his altruistic life to her memory. He founded the Diwaliben Mohanlal Mehta Charitable Trust in 1970 with the motto to help the needy and the deserving in all aspects and an objective to alleviate the miseries of the disadvantaged sections of the community."
Though Mafatkaka opted for Belgian citizenship for the sake of his business, his heart lay in India and its suffering masses. Four years ago, this gifted diamond merchant of Antwerp decided to focus solely on charity work back home. Generously funded by his four sons who took over the reins of his business empire, the 30-year-old Trust today enjoys the support of NGOs in Europe and the USA. It receives relief aid from them, including food grains, clothes and medicines that are distributed among the deprived sections of society - particularly in rural and backward areas - without consideration of caste, creed, religion or race. Even the Government of India has provided a special permit to the Trust for the import of hospital garments, furniture, medicines and food without levying import duties. Thus a woollen sweater is made available for as little as Rs. 10 while a hospital cot can be purchased for only Rs. 3,000. His granddaughter-in-law Rupali gives an example of Mafatkakais simple philosophy of giving:
"When I fast he will insist that I pass over that missed meal to the poor. Your fast is voluntary he'll point out. Theirs is compelled." As one of the trustees Rupali too is involved in the activities of the Trust. Alongwith her grandfather-inlaw, she looks after the day to day affairs, meeting as many help-seeking individuals and families as she can. Under the guidance of father-inlaw Ashwin Mehta, the managing trustee, Rupali represents the faith of the Trust in the younger generation and their altruism. Besides offering crores of rupees in donations to a large number of hospitals that cater to the poor, the Trust has bought the Khan Bahadur Bachooali Eye Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, instituted by Mahatma
Standing (1 to r): Mafatkaka, wife Pamuben, daughter-in-law Smita Sitting (I to r): Son Narendra, grandson Paras
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