UDAIPUR: Padma Shri award recipient, Kailashnath Agarwal does not feel that he is doing something extraordinary for the society. He feels that it is his duty as a citizen of the world to give back to others. But fact remains that there are lakhs of people who will always be indebt to this man for it is his labour has reaped sweet fruits for them. Agarwal’s Narayan Seva Sansthan has, is and will always continue to bring about positive changes in lives of the disabled and their respective families.
The Journey
Established in 1985, Narayan Seva Sansthan provides free treatment for the disabled with the core ideology of one world for all. With seventeen floors across two hospital structures, Narayan Seva Sansthan possesses 1100 bed capacity wherein patients are not only treated but are taken care of ie. are provided food and dwelling for their relatives at no charge.
Kailashnath and his son, Prashant Agarwal, are working towards creating an inclusive society for a section of society which has always been neglected, pitied and taken for granted.
The inception of Narayan Seva Sansthan began way before its ideation, owing to the values and culture that Kailashnath Agrawal’s parents instilled in him. Growing up in the small city of Bhider, Rajasthan, Agrawals father, Madanlal Agrawal, a merchant by profession, always encouraged his son to follow his heart.
His mothers, Sohani Devi, motivated him to read, learn and understand religious literature as well as imbibe important life lessons by reading biographies and autobiographies of great leaders and thinkers. One day, Madanlal’s act of kindness of helping the poor and less fortunate got noticed by his son.
His impressionable mind was imprinted with the image of his father helping the poor despite their own finances being stretched by a tight rope. Thus the strong core values, facilitated by the desire to be like his father, laid the foundation of his benevolent nature.
In 1976, one fateful day, a disastrous accident took place at Pindwada, Sirohi district of Rajasthan. Kailashnath rushed to the site on being informed about it. The sight there pained him deeply as he saw 43 dead and injured people. He decided to help the injured and got them admitted at a nearby hospital and started visiting them daily.
One interaction with a patient named Kishan Bhil changed his life. Kishan had reserved a part of his food for his brother and daughter despite of being hungry. The plight of the patient made him think of more such people who went hungry to bed everyday. Hence he asked people to contribute flour in name of Narayan Seva.
His wife would then make Rotis out of the collected flour and distribute it to the needy. From there, Narayan Seva Sansthan was established in 1985.
While continuing with his work of helping others, he once came across a man who was walking on all fours. On inquiring, he got to know that the man suffered from disability which could have been corrected by an operation had there been no money and time constraints. Thus Kailashnath decide to establish an hospital for the disabled in Udaipur and in 1997, 151 bed Chainraj Lodha Hospital was established to treat polio affected people for no cost.
Present Day Drive
It is said that the Apple doesn’t not fall away from the Tree. In this case as well, Mr. Kailashnath’s son Mr. Prashant Agarwal followed his father’s lead. Not only he has carried forward his father’s legacy but also brought in new and interesting ways to improve the existing framework.
Impact
Since its establishment, more than 3.5 lakh people have been treated at Narayan Seva Sansthan. People from all over India are welcomed, treated and taken care of without any discrimination. Narayan Seva Sanasthan has opened its doors to people from different nationalities as well. People from different countries such as U.K., Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal etc. are welcomed and treated as a part of one single tribe called ‘Humanity.’
Apart from treatment, Narayan Seva Sansthan constantly works toward building a better, dignified and self-sustainable life for the disabled. They provide various skills training like computer program, electrical, hardware, software training as well as equipments to people so that when they move out of the facility, they are ready to walk shoulder to shoulder with the outside world.
With the capacity of 1100 beds and a competent team of 125 doctors and efficient staff, Narayan Seva Sansthan serves as sanctuary for the disabled.
