A ‘God’ in Action

A young man in his thirties would often stand on the footpath opposite Tata Cancer Hospital in Mumbai, observing the anguished faces of patients nearing death and their equally distraught relatives running around. These sights disturbed him deeply and left a profound impact on him.

Most of the patients were poor people from distant towns. They had no idea what to do, where to stay, which doctor to approach, or how to get treatment for their disease. They lacked money for medicines and even for food. The young man, heavily depressed, would return home thinking, ‘Something should be done for these people.’ This thought haunted him day and night.

Finally, he found a solution. He rented out his thriving hotel to raise funds and used the money to start a charitable initiative directly opposite Tata Cancer Hospital, on the pavement next to Kondaji Building. He had no idea that this endeavor would continue to thrive even after 28 years.

The initiative involved providing free meals to cancer patients and their relatives. It quickly gained approval from the local community. Starting with just fifty beneficiaries, the number soon grew to seven hundred. As the patient count increased, so did the number of volunteers.

Mr. Harakhchand Sawla was the name of that pioneer, who did not stop there. He began supplying free medicines to those in need, establishing a medicine bank with the voluntary services of three doctors and three pharmacists.

Additionally, he opened a toy bank where children from various backgrounds can visit his shop and donate toys they no longer use. These toys are given as gifts to children suffering from cancer, aiming to help them forget their illness and enjoy their childhood. He also collects clothing donations and distributes them to impoverished individuals seeking assistance.

The ‘Jeevan Jyot’ trust, founded by Mr. Sawla, now runs over 60 humanitarian projects. At 58, Sawla has worked tirelessly for the past 28 years without taking a single day off. His boundless energy and monumental contributions deserve a thousand salutes!

Many people idolise sportsmen, politicians, and film stars, but few know of Harakhchand Sawla. Millions of devotees search for ‘God’ in various places of worship, yet they overlook ‘God’ who resides nearby.

Despite not being widely recognised, Mr Harakhchand Sawla is revered by 1.8 million cancer patients and their families for the past 28 years for providing free lunches. They have found ‘God’ in Sawla, a ‘God’ in action.

He is one of India’s unsung heroes who works not for recognition or accolades, but to create a better society. His tireless efforts to make the lives of cancer patients and their families easier, set him apart from others.

In a world frequently driven by self-interest and personal gain, Mr Harakhchand Sawla’s work shines as a beacon of hope and compassion. He epitomises true altruism, consistently prioritising the needs of others over his own. 

His actions remind us that real change is propelled by the quiet, persistent efforts of those who seek not recognition, but the betterment of humanity. His legacy is not marked by accolades, but by the lives he transforms and the hope he rekindles.

–Kaushal Kishore