BCAS Foundation is a registered Public Charitable Trust whose principal activities are to undertake various public charitable purposes such as relief of the poor, education and other objects of general public utility.
Last month, the HRD Committee of BCAS, under the aegis of the BCAS Foundation, undertook Tree Plantations and Eye Donation Camps at Pindval and Vansda, respectively. It is heartening to note that such noble activities started in 2011 and have completed 11 years. BCAS Foundation has been instrumental in planting more than 1,00,000 trees in and around Dharampur and conducting more than 1,000 cataract operations for tribals in and around Vansda, Gujarat. Thanks to coordinators CA Meena Shah, CA Utsav Shah, CA Darshan Nathwani and the young brigade of Articled Students and CAs who participated over these years.
This year, being India’s 76th Independence Day, the project visit was specifically planned for 13th and 14th August 2022 to commemorate and celebrate ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ with noble causes of contributing toward Greener India and giving a better vision to the underprivileged tribals of people in and around Vansda. We thank our esteemed BCAS Donors with whose support we could contribute a sum of Rs. 4,80,000 for these noble causes. A Group of 23 enthusiastic volunteers representing BCAS and donors planted trees and witnessed Cataract Eye Camp at the Sant Ranchoddas Eye Hospital in Vansda. The Group visited three different NGOs engaged in many noble activities.
SARVODAYA PARIVAR TRUST (SPT): The Group reached Pindval, Dharampur, to visit the SPT centre. SPT runs two Ashram Schools in Pindval and Khadaki. The trust is an initiative of founders who carried on the vision of Archarya Vinoba Bhave of unconditional service to tribals. SPT works in the areas of Environment, Education, and Water Conservation and follows a holistic approach to poverty alleviation based on Gandhian principles. The Group, and a team of local farmers planted saplings of mango and bamboo trees. The Team had the privilege of Flag hoisting with Farmers and Tribal Children on the field. BCAS contributed to the plantation of about 10,000 trees (@ Rs. 30 per tree, amounting to Rs. 3,00,000). SPT has a nursery wherein they prepare saplings of various fruits and non-fruits bearing trees throughout the year and distribute them to farmers during the monsoon season. The captive plantation ensures a higher survival rate of more than 60%.
Trustee, Shri CA Virendra Shah led the project and briefed about the outcome of the activities that have positively impacted the lives of several people in the hilly region.
DHANVANTRI TRUST (DT): Late Dr. Kanubhai Vaidya founded Sant Ranchoddas Eye Hospital, Vansda, which provides free cataract operations and other eye care facilities for needy people. Trustee, Shri Ghanshyambhai briefed about the facilities and Eye Treatment provided at the 100-bed Hospital. With the kind support of doctors and volunteers, till now they have conducted over 85,000 cataract surgeries. The Group got an idea about how ignorance and extreme poverty result in blindness amongst the poor. This year BCAS donated Rs. 1,85,000 sponsoring 185 cataract operations @ Rs. 1,000 per operation.
SHRIMAD RAJCHANDRA ASHRAM, DHARAMPUR (SRMD): SRMD is a spiritual mission for inner transformation through wisdom, meditation, and selfless service. Founded by Pujya Gurudev Shri Rakeshji, the organisation works through 196 centres in five continents. The Group visited the Ashram, the temple of Bhagwan Mahavir Swami and got an idea about various humanitarian activities undertaken by the Mission in the form of Schools, Colleges, Animal hospitals, etc. It was an enriching and enlightening experience witnessing devotion and selfless services by the Mission to upliftt tribals and poor people.
The visit ended with fond memories of the noble organisations and comradeship amongst team members. The visit not only contributes to the environment but also empowers and sensitised youngsters to undertake noble activities in life.
