Saraf- A committed philanthropist

At 79 age hasnrsquot diminished his desire to continue with his impressive efforts towards various causes Saraf has worked in several areas of community welfare as well as for upliftment of the handicapped women empowerment and child developmentu00a0He channelises his charitable works through his five Trusts ndash Ghanshyamdas Saraf Trust Durgadevi Saraf Trust Mahavirprasad Saraf Trust Kirandevi Saraf Trust Supertex Foundation Over the years Mahavirprasad has identified areas for his benevolence MG Saraf Recordbreaking efforts He has installed 19110 benches at the cityrsquos public places and still continuing and built 97 water huts pyaus at railway stations across Mumbai Sarafrsquos efforts earned him repeated entry in the Limca Book of Records for the highest donation of benches and pyaus by any individual He also set up Saraf Matru Mandir a dharamshala for the common man as well as community halls public toilets sauchalays rooms for senior citizens yoga centre for public water coolers rooms for senior citizens in a old age home borewells gymnasiums etc A chowk at Poddar Park Malad East has been named as Ghanshyamdas Saraf Chowk by the BMC after Mahavirprasadrsquos late father Ghanshyamdas Saraf who was also a noted philanthropist of his time John Abraham inaugurates the Durgadevi Saraf OPD at Nanavati Hospital Aiding education In order to promote education he has set up Ghanshyamdas Saraf College a degree college Durgadevi Saraf Junior College Kirandevi Saraf Institute Durgadevi Saraf Institute of Management Studies computer centres public library hostel for Adivasi boys and girls class rooms study classes lecture hall etc Saraf has also donated computers stationery 200 bicycles wooden benches and desk sets etc Hero bicycles donated to Adhivasi students Empowering women In order to help underprivileged women become more selfreliant and earn a living he has donated sewing machines and started sewing classes He has sponsored creative workshops for them In terms of accommodation he has setup rooms at a hostel for working women renovated shelter for orphaned girls Saraf also distributed necessary clothing and various domesticappliances for their benefit Mahavirprasad has started Bal Mandir balwadis mobile cregraveches summer camps joy bus rides for small children from poor homes Ghanshyamdas Saraf Pyau Inauguration Health campaigns To spread health awareness he has donated 23 ambulances set up new OPD and maternity ward at Nanavati Hospital Burns Ward at V N Desai Hospital eye ward at Shree Rani Sati Eye Hospital He has also formed medical foundations across the city Saraf has donated large quantities of medical items conducted eye camps and distributed free spectacles To uplift the spirit of independence among the physically disabled and visually impaired he has donated PCOrsquos tricycles wheel chairs walkers Jaipur foots hearing aids Braille watches and other items A foundation and a therapy centre for the handicapped has set up He organised national level sports meet for paraplegics integrated summer camp and Prerana 99 a sports event MG Saraf Sporting spirit Mahavirprasad has renovated office premises of School Sports Centre of MSSA installed water coolers showers and benches in the premises organised cricket for peace tournament badminton awareness campaign annual sports events tournaments athletic meet etc He also donated sports items instituted trophies shields and cash prizes etc He has also done a lot to promote art literature and culture He has renovated premises of Art Society of India and instituted annual awards on allIndia basis to encourage writers and other talented individuals He has organised poetry competitions hastakala exhibitions and also published books and cultural directoriesu00a0He has received several awards and honours for his social work One of them is the lsquoFellowshiprsquo from President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan He was also chosen as one of ldquoMumbairsquos Heroesrdquo in a public poll by a leading morning tabloid published from Mumbai u00a0u00a0