Suresh Soni of Gujarat Awarded Padma Shri for Dedication to Leprosy Care
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Synopsis
Suresh Soni, founder of the Sahyog Leprosy Trust in Gujarat, receives the Padma Shri award for his decades of dedicated service to leprosy patients, providing them a home and support.
Key Takeaways
- Suresh Soni awarded Padma Shri for his service.
- Sahyog Leprosy Trust cares for over 1,000 leprosy patients.
- Trust operates solely on donations, no government funding.
- Located in Raigarh village near Himmatnagar, Gujarat.
- Trust provides hope for abandoned individuals with leprosy.
New Delhi, Jan 26 (NationPress) The team at the Sahyog Leprosy Trust in Gujarat is filled with immense joy as its founder, Suresh Soni, has been honored with the prestigious Padma Shri award for his selfless and relentless commitment to supporting numerous leprosy patients over several decades.
Located in Gujarat, Sahyog Leprosy Trust stands out as the sole facility in India dedicated to caring for over 1,000 leprosy patients under one roof.
The visionary leader behind this extraordinary initiative is Suresh Soni, who has been recognized by the government with the Padma Shri award.
In an interview with IANS, Suresh Soni, who has devoted his life to aiding leprosy patients, expressed his gratitude for receiving the country’s fourth highest civilian award.
Suresh Soni stated, “My family and I are deeply touched by this recognition from the Central government, which acknowledges our efforts towards leprosy patients.”
For the past 37 years, Suresh Soni has become a beloved figure in his community due to his unwavering dedication to the underprivileged and disabled. His trust, located along National Highway 48, approximately 30 kilometers from Himmatnagar, currently provides shelter to precisely 1,056 leprosy patients.
Founded in 1978, the Trust spans 31 acres in Raigarh village near Himmatnagar. After leaving his position as a professor, Suresh Soni made a significant choice to forsake a comfortable life to focus on assisting the most vulnerable members of society.
According to Suresh Soni's wife, the Trust operates without any governmental funding and relies solely on donations from the public.
Individuals afflicted with leprosy often face abandonment by their families and communities. The Sahyog Trust has emerged as a beacon of hope for these individuals.
Currently, the Trust accommodates over 1,000 residents, including 436 individuals with disabilities, 250 leprosy patients, 80 mentally ill individuals (suffering from schizophrenia), and 26 HIV-positive patients. Residents hail not only from Gujarat but also from Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Bengal.
Although Suresh Soni is now an octogenarian, his dedication to humanitarian work remains as robust as ever.
Years ago, while teaching in Vadodara, Suresh Soni chose a life partner who embraced his principles. He penned a 17-page letter to his fiancée, urging her to avoid gold jewelry, embrace rural life, and engage in social service.
His wife, Indiraben, has been a steadfast supporter in all of his endeavors. In their early days, both Suresh and Indiraben actively cared for leprosy patients, and today, she plays a crucial role in the Trust’s operations.
The Trust also provides refuge for individuals who, after failing competitive exams such as the IAS, suffered from mental distress that led to severe cognitive disorders.
