Terror Victims get ray of hope from Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust

Nov. 30, 2011 - PRLog -- Mumbai has seen a lot of terror in the last decade. 2003, at Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar, blasts in local trains in 2006 and serial explosions in November 2008. One man, septuagenarian Mahendrabhai Mehta, founder Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust, has picked up the threads of those orphaned and de-stabilised by these attacks and given them educational scholarships. Children whose hands he held in 2003 are adults now and well on their way to realising dreams of becoming police officers and Railway officers. " Education is the greatest gift off all," says Mahendrabhai; whose wife Ashaben Mehta has stood solidly behind him in his charitable efforts.

And when theres a good cause; can a few good men be far behind? Retd IPS Julio Ribiero, Force One Chief Mr. Date, Gul Kriplani joined Mahendra Bhai and Asha Ben Mehta met in a small gathering at Indian Merchants Chambers for a very honorable cause - to award educational scholarships to the children of victims of the 2011 Zaveri bazaar Mumbai bomb blasts and terrorist attacks.

Said Mr. J. Ribiero, 'In Mumbai, one learns to live with terrorism. The world has become cruel and desensitised. RNCT is a small sliver of hope. It reminds the society of what it forgets - duty towards mankind. I shall always come forward and lend my hand, if only to see a child smile.'

Mr. Date, Force One Chief said, 'This program reminds us policemen that we have an unfinished job to take care of. The city is not yet safe. There is still a long way to go before our children can be promised a better tomorrow. Till then, I feel ashamed to ever look at them in the eye.'

Shri.RR Patil; who could not attend due to an emergency has promised to meet the children on the 25th of this month to solicit his support to the cause.

Notes to Editor

ABOUT MAHENDRABHAI MEHTA (Founder)

Heres a man who was conferred the 'humanitarian rose' award at kensington palace in 2004; who was invited to meet the Dalai lama in 2009 for his work on the welfare of humanity; and has over the years worked with several Nobel prize winners on the supply of 'prosthetics and orthotics' to landmine victims in Africa.

Meet Mahendrabhai mehta, whos NGO Ratna Nidhi charitable Trust addresses the immediate needs of the poor and marginalized sections of the society. It has been operational for the last 25 years.

Retired diamond merchant, Shri Mahendra Bhai Mehta, a tireless philanthropist teaches "what is money" to street children very regularly. The humble, reclusive seventy-something, though hard of hearing, is sound of mind and body. His passion is entirely this trust that aims to alleviate the sufferings of the poor, handicapped and the destitute.

RNCT has been extremely active in the area of education for the poor orphaned children of bomb blast victims. There are heartwarming stories of the blast affected victims of 2003; who got hope and support from Jyotsnaben; the living light of RNCT. The trust also provides trauma treatment to these families, specially the children.

RNCT also has viklang melas where recently they managed to benefit a total of 16798 orthopaedically handicapped and hearing impaired. During these camps, polio affected got custom made calipers, amputees got jaipur foot prosthetic as per their measurements and crutches, tricycles and wheelchairs are distributed on a need based assessment. These camps have taken place in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Jammu & Kashmir besides International locations like Hiati (earthquake) in March 2010 and Leh Ladakh. The trust also works towards providing an incentive to children from economically backward backgrounds to attend school by providing them with a mid-day meal every day.