Khimavat Trust (India)

A little inspiration combined with the capability to make a change combined with the innate desire to give back to the land that raised them led to the creation of the Khimavat Trust. The Trust looked at the world through a broader view and found ways to contribute to improvement in every sphere of life. From building essential water reservoirs to improving travel infrastructure, from rehabilitating cattle and other animals to assisting tribal groups through several activities including agricultural development, the Khimavat Trust aims to support and promote every assumable aspect of life with its own will and vision.

Founders of the Trust and their Vision

Late Shri Kishoreji Khimavat’s insight has helped the Trust to become the leader of reform it is today in Rajasthan, India and its surrounding districts. Smt. Basanti Devi Khimavat has always been his pillar of strength, giving him her love and support. Apart from being actively involved in social and environmental services she is also a very religious person.

The Vision of Shri Kishore Khimavat

 Each hand should have work.

 Every lung should have fresh air.

 Each mouth should have food.

 Each person should live a content life.

 Each person should conserve water.

 Each person should plant five trees annually.

Azadirachta Indica Plantation (referred to as Neem Tree in India)

The people of West Rajasthan have always had to endure the scorching heat characteristic of the region. The average rainfall is very little and the land has become desert-like. As a result, life is difficult in this area. A solution we devised to alleviate this problem was to grow trees throughout the area. Only prickly plants and Acacia Nilotica (referred to as Babuls in India) grow naturally in this region. Experts were consulted as to what kind of tree would be best suited to grow in a desert, surviving all the unfavorable conditions. They were of the opinion that Neem trees would grow even in adverse conditions, offering the maximum greenery, which in turn would attract rainfall and moderate temperature.The Trust observed the success of a similar mass-plantation in Israel, and replicated the same plan in western Rajasthan. The challenge that the Trust undertook was to plant at least a hundred thousand trees every year. The Trust is fully equipped to meet this hefty target. At the start of 2018, the total count was 1,150,000 trees and counting.

Water Conservation Efforts and its Benefits

Water conservation in Western Rajasthan has been an important objective of the Trust. Water conservation is necessary in this region due to the scarcity of rain in the area along with the tendency of water to subside below surface levels, a phenomenon that has led to a higher fluoride level in the available water which has in turn caused a lot of health hazards.. Water was successfully retained through the implementation of base flow blockers and surface barriers in various rivers. Villages have also been provided anicuts, check dams, larger ponds, wells, and water tanks.  

Infrastructure

Improved infrastructure makes it easy to commute and utilize facilities.

Once the broad-gauge rail came into existence, the railway station in Rani became inhospitable, as the premises lacked basic facilities. Passengers were facing troubles to enter and alight compartments. The Trust, in order to solve this problem, took responsibility and offered its complete support in reconstructing the station as per the railway norms. Today, the station in Rani stands out as being in better shape when compared to the other stations in its line. Other than the normal commuting necessities like platforms and roofing, the Trust also constructed drinking water stalls, marble benches, and other necessities on the railway platform.

Welfare of Birds and Animals

Due to extreme droughts, villages in Rajasthan weren’t able to provide sufficient food and water to their animals, which caused the local cattle to suffer from malnutrition. Currently, the Trust offers the farmer food for the cattle.

Due to the water conservation work carried out by the Trust, water has been made available for the animals year round, even during the dry summer months.

Medical Treatment

 The trust has taken the initiative to provide free medical treatment for villagers at the Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital in Sumerpur, Rajasthan. Each day at least two of the surgeries carried out at the hospital are funded by the Trust. Medicinal expenses are also borne by the trust. Free eye check-up camps are organized as well and free eye surgeries are performed to those in need. Those that require glasses are provided with them, free of cost.

The Valchand Manam Khimavat School:

Education has been and will always remain an important mission of the Trust. The Trust provides deserving students financial assistance through scholarships and monetary awards. For the past 11 years the Trust has been rewarding students that come first in their class. The Trust has also worked tirelessly to maintain the school’s infrastructure.

Food Camps:

Food camps are organized on an ongoing basis and more than 500 families are provided with food grain supplies every year. In Mumbai in coalition with a philanthropic group 28,000 people are given a meal every week.

Corporate Social Responsibility – Thailand

         The Trust regularly provides the children at the Feung Fah Home for Persons with Disabilities Protection and Development with food, medical help, ice cream, and toys.

At Baan Bangkae, an old age home, the Trust looks after basic necessities, everything from food supplies to medecine to daily household items

         The Trust carries out a blood donation drive thrice a year in Bangkok and once a year in India.