- Source: Mathur Savani
Mathur Madhabhai Savani is a businessman and social worker from Gujarat, India. He established a diamond firm called Savani Brothers. He has also worked extensively in the field of water conservation in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat.
Biography
Mathur Madhabhai Savani was born on 12 January 1963 in Khopala, located in Bhavnagar district (now part of Botad district), Gujarat, India. He completed his primary education in his village before migrating to Surat in 1975. There, he began working in the diamond industry in the Gopipura area. In 1980, he established his own diamond firm, Savani Brothers.
During one of his business trips, he was inspired by Israel's advanced water management techniques. This experience motivated him to establish an organization in India dedicated to water conservation.
Social work
In 1997, he established the Saurashtra Jaldhara Trust to promote awareness about water conservation. He organized awareness campaigns and undertook walks across the dry and water-scarce Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Through extensive efforts, he facilitated the construction of check dams across Saurashtra, leveraging community participation and government support.
Later, he co-founded the Beti Bachao Abhiyan to raise awareness about the issue of female infanticide.
Water conservation
A massive outreach initiative was undertaken across Saurashtra, Kutch, and North Gujarat, organizing 3,250 meetings in villages, visiting 350 villages, and conducting tours over a span of 1,500 days. Additionally, three state-level conventions, seven district-level conventions, and five Gram Shibirs were organized to foster community participation in water conservation efforts.
Two significant Padayatras were conducted to spread awareness and mobilize people. The first, a 150-km journey from Bhimdad to Bhadrod, involved 500 participants over 10 days. The second, a 325-km walk from Talgajrda to Porbandar, included 1,000 participants over 20 days.
The efforts also led to the successful representation for the "Sardar Patel Sahbhagi Jalsanchay Yojna," a government initiative promoting water conservation through community involvement. Under this scheme, 80% of construction costs for water conservation projects were borne by the government, while the remaining 20% was contributed by villagers.
To support these projects, 40 JCB machines were purchased using donor funds and made available to villagers free of cost, with only the diesel expenses covered by them. Additionally, the trust supplied two lakh bags of cement free of charge to motivate village water committees.
To amplify awareness, 50 lakh booklets, pamphlets, folders, and leaflets were distributed, along with 50,000 video CDs. A telefilm on water conservation was screened in 2,950 villages using a mobile van service.
Save the girl campaign
As part of the campaign, a Mahaprasad laddu weighing 10,000 kilograms was prepared on 1 January 2006. On the same day, 1.2 million people gathered at a single site to share a meal. This event was recorded in the Limca Book of World Records. “Prasad” packets were distributed to every household across 18,000 villages, accompanied by a message advocating for the protection of girl children and the prevention of female feticide.
Efforts to combat female feticide began in 2002, involving numerous social activists from Gujarat. By 2006, a large-scale initiative was launched where 2.52 lakh households contributed a handful of flour to create a massive laddu. The laddu was distributed to 35 lakh households across Gujarat, spreading the message to end female feticide. During this campaign, 12 lakh people collectively took an oath to stop the killing of female foetuses.
A car rally involving 300 cars was organized from Surat to Somnath, culminating in an oath-taking ceremony in the presence of Somnath Mahadev to “Save the Girl Child and Female Foetus.” Additionally, one lakh girl students wrote two lakh postcards with messages advocating the cause. These postcards were sent to 18,000 villages across Gujarat within 12 minutes.
These mass awakening efforts led to a significant impact: the girl birth rate in Gujarat increased from 770 to 870 girls per 1,000 boys within just one year.
Construction of Gadhpur Township for 1200 low income families.
Food, clothing, and shelter are basic necessities for everyone. However, 50% of villagers from Gadhada taluka residing in Surat lacked their own homes. To address this issue, the "Gadhpur Township" scheme was initiated to provide affordable housing to these individuals.
The project aimed to offer "Own House" options at concessional rates. Building materials were procured by raising awareness about social responsibility among producers and donors. Additionally, assistance from the government, both direct and indirect, played a significant role in supporting the initiative.
Through the collective efforts of the Saurashtra Jaldhara Trust, the scheme successfully provided 1,250 houses to homeless individuals on a "No Profit, No Loss" basis, offering a sustainable solution to their housing needs.
Natural Farming (Prakrutik Kheti) Public Awareness Campaign
Just as we have family doctors, we should also have family farmers. With the aim of providing pure and chemical-free food to the people of Surat, the "Family Farmer" public awareness campaign was initiated. The campaign was launched with the presence of respected former Chief Minister Mr. Vijaybhai Rupani, Union Minister Mr. Mansukhbhai Mandaviya, farmers, and residents of Surat, where people were educated about the benefits of natural farming.
In 2019, a one-day seminar on natural farming was organized at Ramod village in Gondal Taluka. The event was attended by the Governor of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, Central Minister Parsottambhai Rupala, and 5,000 farmers from 170 tehsils. Farmers who had been practicing natural farming for over five years shared their experiences, inspiring others to adopt this sustainable practice. Various events and meetings continue to raise awareness about natural farming among the public and the farming community.
Respected Prime Minister Mr. Narendrabhai Modi has also appealed for efforts to strengthen the farming community. In response, different institutions associated with farming have worked tirelessly to promote natural farming across the country. Today, millions of farmers in every state have been inspired to adopt natural farming practices.
It is essential for both farmers and the public to prioritize natural farming. To ensure the success of the Family Farmer Campaign, efforts must be accelerated to reach a wider audience. This initiative will not only provide farmers with a stable customer base and fair pricing but also inspire others to follow suit. For consumers, adopting a family farmer will ensure access to high-quality, chemical-free food.
Let us work together to take the Family Farmer Campaign to the masses, contributing to a healthier society. This campaign offers multifaceted benefits, including better health, sustainable agriculture, and human service. By supporting this initiative, we can serve our country and make a meaningful impact.
Awards and honors
He was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in 2014 for his contributions to social work.
Padma Shri Award for the year 2014, presented by the President of India, New Delhi
Gujarat Government's Chief Minister Public Health Award for the year 1998–1999
Chief Minister's Roupya Chandrak Purskar for the year 2001
Gujarat Gaurav Deen Sanman Purskar for the year 2004
"Patidar Ratnshri" Award from Akhil Gujarat Patidar Parisad
"Rajshri Award" from Sandipani Vidya Niketan, Porbandar, for the year 2005
In addition to this, he has been awarded over 1,000 awards and Letters of Appreciation by numerous voluntary educational institutes, associations, and village committees across Saurashtra, Kutch, and North Gujarat.