Shaping Healthy Minds for a Heathier Society

Only a tough and healthy mind can get you through all endeavours! The basic yet powerful equipment we need to overcome whatever comes is our mind. Imagine what energy can healthy and sensitive minds create! These minds, with their social sensitivity, positivity, and unity can be mighty for our national spirit. Such is the inspiration behind the “Pujit Rupani Memorial Trust”. Former PrantSangathanMatri- ABVP and presiding Chief Minister of Gujrat Shri Vijay Rupani ji and his wife Shrimati Anjali ji established this trust in the memory of their late son Pujit. He met an unfortunate death at the age of 3. Setting the immeasurable pain aside, the couple continued to contribute their part for the society through the trust’s various projects. It has been creating enriched living for the children of sweepers and those who stay in slum areas. It also helps create promising future for intelligent kids, who only because of unprivileged conditions, fear to dream. The trust has been tirelessly working with these children for 27 years. 

Implementing Sangha sanskar deep in their living, Vijay ji and Anjali ji registered this trust on 17th December, 1994 with an emphasis on education, healthcare, and women empowerment. This trust houses about 12 different projects that ensure overall development of individuals. In total 76 slum areas from Rajkot, the trust runs 6 centers in the areas like Mayur Nagar, Loha Nagar, Morabi road, etc. The “street children and open house” project provides healthy food to the children of roadside sweepers and waste cleaners. This project along with nutritious food, offers them basic alphabetic, practical knowledge along with good dharmic teachings and art and craft. The children also take vocational courses like computer education here. Anjali ji, who finds Pujit in every child, often feels amazed by the beautiful artwork they make.The trustee and an important person in the project, Animesh Bhai proudly tells that over 430 children have benefitted from it and are now walking on a road of success. 

In the darkness of unfortunate, there are still some diamonds willing to be cut and shaped for a brighter future. Such gems are handpicked and sculpted by the trust’s “Jnana Prabodhini Project”. It was started on 15th July 2000. Trustee, Mehul Bhai says that it leaves everyone proud and happy when kids achieve greatly in 12th exams and make their dreams true. More than 290 students have made their parents and their town, Rajkot proud by succeeding well in the exams. In the present, 96 students are marching towards a brighter future. Anjali didi proudly tells the success stories of the children. Daughter of a rickshaw driver from the first batch is now a professor at Takshashila University. Ex-students of Jnana Prabodhi Project, Sanjay and Purvisha work as scientists in Zoids Research Center. Vijay, whose father once used to sell footwear for living, is a computer engineer at Infosys. A labourer’s daughter Ankita is now an ENT surgeon. 

This project carefully examines the family atmosphere and financial conditions of the prospective students. Then the students are picked for training by interviewing by seniors. They also take in-depth coaching for difficult subjects like math and science. Many of these students score great in 10th and 12th board exams, often getting ranks in the state. This allows them to choose the universities of their preference. Children from standard 8th and above are adopted by the trust for their further education. The kids are also provided with bicycles for commuting. These children pay back their tributes to the organization by offering their services here. Dentist Priya, civil engineers Purvi and Anjana, as well as Prem Joshi, a senior officer of Bank of Baroda are some of them. 

Childhood has its essence in playing. But when a child is born with unfortune, he or she has to make laboring its play and go on living. But when the toy train project of this trust reaches the kids with toys, playing poems, their colorless lives become joyous, says manager Bhavin Bhai. The “Bal Swapna Rath” takes scientific, electronic as well as entertaining toys to these children once in every 15 days. For the first round of the month, the toy train covers the area and for the next round, it entertains the kids with engaging video stories. This project is offering more than 6000 kids not just healthy food but also value education and memorable childhood. Coordinator Nirad Bhai tells that above 3500 kids are safe and secure with the help of the project’s child helpline and child helpdesk on railway station. 

In the difficult times of lockdown, when every hospital was shut down in the city, the trust’s clinic was tirelessly operational. This clinic is equipped with all the facilities, in which the basic diagnosis costs only 5 rupees. It also schedules timely cancer diagnosis camps. One of the nation’s specialists, Dr. Dushyant Mandlik also offers his services here. The project has benefitted above 55000 patients. “Sanjeevani Card” and “Chiranjeevi Yojana” have helped financially unprivileged in treating their diseases. Kids who are registered with the project receive free treatment from the clinic. 

The “Rajdeepika Project” provides a ray of hope for women in slum areas. It was started with the objective making women confident, powerful, and aatmanirbhar. More than 1500 women are now working, benefitting from this project. 

This project spreads the importance of education to reduce the gaps in the society, ultimately, leading the society towards equality and togetherness. This trust, as a role model, is sure to lead a way for the healthy society and nation.