Mathur Savani
Mathur Madhabhai Savani | |
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| Born | 12 January 1963 Khopala, Botad, Gujarat, India |
| Occupations | Businessman, social activist |
| Known for | Water conservation in Gujarat |
| Title |
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| Spouse | Hansaben |
| Awards | Padma Shri |
| Website | savanijewellery |
Mathur Madhabhai Savani is an Indian businessman and social worker based in Gujarat. 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. Mathur Savani was honored with the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2014 for his social work.[2]
Biography
[edit]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.
A visit to Israel, where he observed water management practices, influenced his later involvement in water conservation initiatives in India.[2]
Social work
[edit]In 1997, he founded the Saurashtra Jaldhara Trust, which works on water conservation in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat.[3] The trust has conducted awareness campaigns and organised padyatras in water-scarce areas and has been associated with efforts to build check dams with community and government involvement.[2][4]
Mathurbhai Savani founded the Saurashtra Jaldhara Trust to address the problem of water scarcity in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The initiative was inspired by the successful water conservation efforts undertaken in his native village, Khopala. The primary objective of the trust was to increase the availability of water for drinking, irrigation, and other purposes through rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge.[citation needed]
The trust organized extensive awareness campaigns, village meetings, conferences, and padyatras (foot marches) in water-scarce areas of Saurashtra. Village-level committees were formed to encourage community participation in the construction of check dams, recharge wells, and other water conservation structures. The trust also provided technical guidance, planning assistance, and support for implementing water conservation projects.[citation needed]
Through the efforts of the Saurashtra Jaldhara Trust and active public participation, thousands of check dams and other water-harvesting structures were constructed across the region. The trust collaborated with government-led participatory water conservation programs and contributed to initiatives such as pond rejuvenation, recharge well construction, and rainwater harvesting projects. It also promoted the adoption of drip irrigation to encourage the efficient use of water in agriculture.
These initiatives resulted in significant improvements in groundwater levels, expanded irrigation facilities, and reduced drinking water shortages in many villages. The Khopala model of community-based water conservation later became an inspiration for similar projects across Saurashtra and contributed to the broader movement for sustainable water management in Gujarat.
He later co-founded the Beti Bachao Abhiyan which focuses on raising awareness about female infanticide.[2]
Save the girl campaign
[edit]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.[5]
Kiran Hospital and Kiran Medical Collage
[edit]After 1960, a large number of people from various villages across Gujarat migrated to Surat in search of employment and better living standards. The city of Surat provided livelihood, dignity, and new opportunities for growth. With the city’s rapid development, the need for a modern hospital equipped with international-standard healthcare facilities became increasingly important. Local public records and institutional reports.
In this direction, Mathur Savani initiated efforts in 2009, along with leading citizens of Surat, to establish a modern multi-speciality hospital. With the support of approximately 400 donors, the “Kiran Multi Super Speciality Hospital” was established in Surat with a capacity of 900 beds. Kiran Hospital public information sources.
The hospital introduced several advanced treatments and complex surgical procedures that were previously not widely available in Surat and the surrounding regions. Currently, the hospital serves an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 patients every month through its healthcare services. Hospital reports and publicly available data.
In the field of medical education, under the guidance of Mathur Savani, the “Kiran Medical College” was established with the objective of producing skilled and qualified doctors for the country. The institution is expected to train approximately 250 medical graduates every year. Kiran Medical College official information.
Mathur Savani currently serves as the Chairman of both Kiran Multi Super Speciality Hospital and Kiran Medical College. Kiran Hospital &
Contribution to Patidar Community Unity
[edit]The Patidar community in Gujarat was traditionally divided into two major groups: Kadva Patel and Leuva Patel. In the early 2000s, efforts were initiated to strengthen unity between these two communities for the broader social and educational development of Patidars across Gujarat. Local community records and organizational documents.
Mathur Savani, along with prominent community leaders including Odhavjibhai Patel, Keshubhai Sheth, and Govindbhai Dholakia, worked towards bringing both groups together under a common social platform.
As part of these efforts, the organization “Samast Patidar Samaj” was established in Surat in 2003, with Laljibhai T. Patel serving as its president Samast Patidar Samaj foundation records. The organization has since conducted various social, educational, and cultural programs aimed at promoting unity and cooperation between Kadva and Leuva Patidars. https://spstsurat.com/
These initiatives are regarded as significant efforts toward strengthening unity and social cooperation within the Patidar community.
Gadhpur Township: House Initiative for Low-Income Families in surat
[edit]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. 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.
Awards and honors
[edit]
- He was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in 2014 for his contributions to social work.[2][6][7]
- Gujarat Government's Chief Minister Public Health Award for the year 1998–1999[8]
- Chief Minister's Roupya Chandrak Purskar for the year 2001[8]
- Gujarat Gaurav Deen Sanman Purskar for the year 2004[8]
- Patidar Ratnshri Award from Akhil Gujarat Patidar Parisad[9]
- Rajshri Award from Sandipani Vidya Niketan, Porbandar, for the year 2005[8]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Rajya Sabha MP and merchant Govind Dholakiya is new chairman of Surat diamond trade centre". The Indian Express. 22 March 2024.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "7 Gujaratis in Padma awards list". The Times of India. 26 January 2014. Archived from the original on 24 April 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
- ↑ Mahurkar, Uday (4 June 2010). "A green rising". India Today. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
- ↑ "Mathurbhai Savani is master organizer". DeshGujarat. 5 May 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
- ↑ "Diamond loses sheen in marriage market". The Times of India. 15 March 2009. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
- ↑ "Padma Awards Announced". Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 25 January 2014. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
- ↑ "Paresh Rawal, Mathur Savani presented Padma awards". DeshGujarat. 26 April 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 "AWARDS AND HONOURS - YoungBites". youngbites.com. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
- ↑ "પાટીદાર સમાજમાં 'સામાજિક બંધારણ' ઘડવા મથુર સવાણીની પહેલ:કુરિવાજો-ખર્ચ ઘટાડવા જનમત માંગ્યો; ઓનલાઈન લિંકથી પાટીદાર સહિત અન્ય સમાજને આત્મમંથન કરવા અપીલ". Divya Bhaskar.