Source: mirrorheroes | Image Courtesy: reshareit
This story is a part of the ongoing Ahmadabad Heroes initiative by Mirror Heroes.
There are only a few good men as it is said who contribute towards making of a society. At a time when inflation has hit the market so deeply that fruits and vegetables is slowly disappearing from the common man’s plates, Mohit Shah and his family provide the daily dose of nutrition for free to those who can’t afford them.
The 54-year-old, Shah distributes the green component of a healthy diet on busy roads and market places at Ahmedabad. Mohit who lives in Navranhpura, has the dealership of a leading cement company.
The idea drew shape through an incident that shook the heart of his wife. Kinnariben, 53-year-old was buying vegetables while a group of laborers were constantly looking at her as they couldn’t afford the vegetables.
She immediately gave the vegetables she bought for her family and discussed the episode with her husband. Kinnariben, shared the idea with Mohit of distributing the vegetables for free to the poor. They started off with 200 kg of vegetables which has now reached to 1,500 kg a week.
Mohit says, “By God’s grace, we can afford to give some vegetables to the poor for free.” Their children, Kushal and Aashka who are of 24 and 21 years of age are too engaged in the activity. Shah further adds that he wants the people to draw inspiration from them so that entire Ahmadabad could be covered by this philanthropic activity.
He is often seen on the Shivranjini-Helmet circle stretch distributing the vegetables. “I want to distribute the vegetables for free to the poor but if anyone on the road approaches us we can’t say no to them. When he came to know that ‘papad’ is favorite among the poor, he has distributing it along with cabbage, bottle guard, tomato, cauliflower, carrot, radish, sugarcane, sweet lime, grapes and muskmelon.
The philanthropist couple is now planning to distribute mangoes. Shah distributes on charity as much as he spends on the family annually. “We don’t seek donation from the people. Those who wish to distribute can do so in their own areas,” says Manoj who spends 10 lakh on vegetables and fruit for others while his total donation goes up to 25 lakh annually.
Not only donating vegetables, Shah even helps needy students by paying their fee and helps them in buying books. He often bears medical expenses of the poor. He says, “The almighty has blessed me by giving me an opportunity to make others’ lives better.”
