Shri Sanat Mehta
April 19, 1925 - August 20, 2015

A doyen on Gujarat’s socio-political scenario, Shri Mehta was a multifaceted personality. Born in Bhavnagar district, he participated in India’s freedom struggle as a student leader and later was one of the young leaders of Maha Gujarat Andolan that culminated in Gujarat’s statehood. With his sharp acumen, he was amongst the few freedom fighters who not only transitioned as a successful politician but also as an able administrator who shaped and implemented policies to answer young India’s development challenges.

Making Vadodara his home, his multi-faceted personality was at work in each of Gujarat’s pivotal political-social movements, at ease both in and out of power, being an able policy maker as well as an effective opposition leader. Be it as a minister, or a union leader or as an opposition leader, he was particular in championing social causes, and undertaking path breaking initiatives for the welfare of the under privileged, be it tribals, women, the farmers, the fishermen, the salt workers, the sanitary workers and various minority groups till his last breath.

The Sanat Mehta Charitable Trust (SMCT)

The Sanat Mehta Charitable Trust (SMCT) was established in September 2015 in memory of Gujarat’s stalwart leader, Sanat Mehta

The SMCT is dedicated to take forward Shri Mehta’s legacy by undertaking and supporting various activities for all-round development of the marginalized irrespective of their religion, caste, creed, gender and ethnicity as Sanat Mehta had envisioned.

The SMCT Vision

To aid and assist the underprivileged sections of society in India especially in the state of Gujarat irrespective of their religion, caste, creed, gender, ethnicity or any kind of affiliation and to promote the educational, cultural, economic, social and health of the underprivileged and to make them socially and economically sound and also to improve the inter-faith, inter-sectarian, inter-caste relations to achieve the goals of a just, fair and equitable, secular society as enshrined in the Constitution of India.

The SMCT Mission

  • To aid the health and educational needs of the disadvantaged in consonance with the SMCT’s vision.
  • To encourage social research, prepare, publish, distribute and share literature compatible with the SMCT’s vision.

  • To facilitate training and skill improvement programs to improve livelihood of the marginalized.

  • To collaborate with person/s, institution/s, government/s – in sync with the SMCT’s vision and involve youth to inculcate values of community development.

  • To undertake activities to strengthen the secular values as enshrined in the Constitution of India.

Activities and Achievements

1. Health Intervention through the Sanat Mehta Health Care Centre (SMHCC)

Established on November 25, 2015, the SMHCC has undertaken interventions in three broad areas to ensure that the disadvantaged have access to medicines and primary health facilities on no-profit.

2. Distribution of Generic Drugs at Manufacturing Cost

In the period April – December, 2016, 18,750 beneficiaries have availed the facility, with drugs worth ₹8,57,000/- distributed.

3. Pathological Diagnostic facilities at highly subsidized rates

In the period November 2015 – December 2016, 22,300 beneficiaries have availed the diagnostic facilities at the SMCT. The SMCT has installed infrastructure to provide pathological lab facilities at highly subsidized rates, which is lower than the fees at government-run facilities. Qualified pharmacists and pathologists provide the services at the SMCT. Additionally, the SMCT also provided 1830 beneficiaries at a free-of-cost service who were not able to afford the diagnostic facilities even at the subsidized rates.

4. Medical Camps across Gujarat in disadvantaged neighborhoods

In the period November 2015 – December 2016, medical camps were conducted at four places:

✔ At Bhekadiya, in Vadodara district’s tribal block of Pavi Jetpur in collaboration with Indo-American doctors for health assessment of tribal children in February 2016. 445 tribal children were assessed; high levels of anemia and undernourishment reported. We followed up with the doctors by referring the students on case basis and planning medical and dietary intervention under the medical expertise.

✔ At Savda, Surendranagar district in April 2016 health camp for 680 children of salt workers studying in three ashramshalas. In addition to health assessment, pathological diagnostic facilities and dental care assessment also was carried out. We are following up with the doctors by referring the students on case basis and planning medical and dietary intervention under the medical expertise.

✔ At Juhapura, Ahmedabad in May 2016 with the Dharamsinh Desai Heart Institute, Nadiad to provide cardiac health check-up facilities free of cost. 152 patients availed the facility and we are following up to ensure required treatment as per doctor’s advice free of cost to the needy patients.

✔ At construction sites and neighborhoods of sanitary workers at Makarba, and Chandola Lake, Ahmedabad in August 2016 providing free pathological diagnostic facilities and medicines free of cost for one month as per doctor’s advice. We reached out to 813 patients.

Social Interventions

Food Bank and Cloth Bank

The SMCT initiated food bank and cloth bank to reach out to the impoverished in poor neighborhoods. Tying with restaurants and eateries, the SMCT provides distribution of additional food prepared to the families of construction workers and also sanitary workers living on Ahmedabad’s Road side. Tying up with families across Ahmedabad, Surendranagar and Vadodara, the donated clothes are provided to the impoverished families of sanitary workers and construction workers.

Commissioned Agriculture Research Survey

In 2016 the SMCT commissioned study “Trends in changing cropping pattern and its impact on farmers’ income in Gujarat.” Post graduate students from Gujarat University guided by agri-experts and development economists surveyed all representative districts of Gujarat interviewing both small and marginal farmers and collecting data from the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs) and district agriculture offices. The survey collected statistically valid data for years 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16.

Marketing Committess (APMCs) and district agriculture office. The survey collected statistical data for years 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16

The survey focused on two main aspects:

✔ Factors influencing cropping pattern and crop yield
✔ Socio-economic profile of farmers and their attitude towards farming as occupation.

Details of The SMCT

Registration:

  1. Bombay Public Trust Act-1950, Section-Xi-29, Registration No: F/18570 SMC

  2. Society Registration Act-1860 Rule 21, Registration No: GUJ/19059/Ahmedabad

  3. Income Tax Act- 80G – AAQTS4350P/1178/17-18/T-1229/80G(5)

  4. Income Tax Act-1961 Section 12(A), Registration No: 12AA/1331/SMCT/2015-16

  5. Pan-Card No: AAQTS4350P

  6. Drugs License No: GJ-AD2-133067

Bankers:

Banker’s Name: HDFC
Branch: Vasna, Ahmedabad
Account No: 50100144571098
IFSC Code: HDFC0001229
MICR Code: 380240027

Chartered Accountants:

CA. NAUSHAD SHAIKH
302, Mahakant Complex, Ellisbridge,
AHMEDABAD-06, PH. 079-26585080

SMCT Health Center:

  1. 4, Sabar Complex, Opp Gandhi Hall, Juhapura-Sharkhej Highway, Juhapura

  2. 4/5, Nyrika Plaza, Chickoo Wadi, Teen Rasta Circle, Ankleshwar

  3. 9, Kalapi Complex, BRTS Bus Stop, Danilimda, Ahmedabad – 380028