Interesting example of a Bhavnagar-based RSS swayamsevak, Janardanbhai Bhatt who donated Rs 1.02 crore for the welfare of Indian soldiers
Jaywant Pandya from Ahmedabad
Bhavnagar in Gujarat is known for social service. The city is known as ‘Ganda nun Gaam’, the city of
mental persons, because many mental patients
travelling by trains are dropped here and many local people and organisation look after them. Shishuvihar and the late Maanbhai Bhatt are also known for such works. But now three persons of the city have come forward for the cause of soldiers. They are Janardanbhai Bhatt, Rakshaben Dave and Nimeshbhai Trivedi. Among them, Janardanbhai Bhatt is the highest donor. He donated whopping Rs 1.02 crore for the welfare of soldiers. And that too when he lives on pension!
Generally, when one has such whopping amount of Rs 1.02 crore, one thinks about more luxury in life. But 85 year old Janardanbhai Bhatt donated such a big amount without hesitation. He declares with pride on phone, “When our
country is passing through severe crisis, it is our duty to do whatever we can do at our level.” Shri Bhatt retired from State Bank of Saurashtra as a clerk. In 1962, Janardanbhai formed an employees union. In 1970, the bank GM, the late BK Chatterjee suggested, “Janardanbhai! You are doing lot for the union. Why don’t you start contributing for the society also?” This suggestion made Janardanbhai think for the
society. Actually Janardanbhai is also a RSS swayamsevak. He used to go to Neelkanth Shakha held at Ruvapari Darwaja. He says, “My all social work is due to the samskar of the RSS. I learnt honesty, sincerity, integrity, devotion and
dedication in the Shakha.” He worked with Chandabhai Dave in the union, who is among the pioneer swayamsewaks.
From 1970, Janardanbhai started gifting sweets, fire crackers to orphan children. His union donated Rs 1 lakh for
electrification of a cremation ground. Janardanbhai has been doing this work because he has great support from his better half Padmaben who is Swadhyay Pariwar worker. Both got married in 1955 and their marriage life has become inspiration model for many a couple. “She never demanded to go on tour of Mahabaleshwar of Panchagini. She has always stood firmly by my decisions,” Janardanbhai says.
Janardanbhai donated Rs 6 lakh for dialysis to Bajarangdasbapa Hospital, Bhavnagar. His wife gave Rs 16 lakh to the same hospital next year in memory of her parents. Janardanbhai says, “We have no desires for worldly pleasure. We never went to have dinner or lunch at hotels. We never went on picnic. Yes, when I retired from bank service, I visited Shree Somanath temple to pray.” Janardanbhai has no siblings. He has no child even. So, there was no opposition from family for his huge donation for soldiers. Instead, family members also pledged to donate as per their capacity. He could donate such a huge amount because his friend’s father advised him to invest in stock market long ago. This investment is now giving good returns. Janardanbhai had decided to run household on just
pension income. He had prepared a will in which he decided to contribute for society and nation but sudden situation after Kashmir and Sukama attacks demanded him to implement his will partially. He has proposed to SBI for opening a bank account in which minimum Rs 5 will be cut from salary of bank employees and deposited per month. Many employees have shown their wish to contribute Rs 100, 500 or 1,000 per month! Janardanbhai was of view to donate online but friends and
colleagues suggested donating publically so that many others would get inspiration.
After his initiative, significantly two persons came forward for donation. One is Rakshaben Dave. She is also retired
professor. She has donated Rs 1 lakh! One Nimeshbhai Trivedi donated Rs 25,000.
Rakshaben says, “When the news of video of soldier
complaining about food served to them broke out, she could not take her meal. I thought what could be done for them? Then I heard news that the soldier was detained.” Rakshaben thought to do something for soldiers but didn’t know how to do. She has written more than 70 books on Hinduism. So she thought, “When there is will, she will find way also.” And then news came from Ashokbhai Pandya, a colleague of Janardanbhai Bhatt about donation. She is now thinking to donate Rs 1 lakh more on Raksha Bandhan. Vandan to such souls! n
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