A Lifetime of Social Welfare
Beyond the political domain, Dr. Vallabhbhai Kathiria made an immense impact on society through decades of philanthropy and social reforms. His compassionate work improved thousands of lives and earned him the enduring love of people.
Small Meets Heavy
Dr. Kathiria organized an industrial fair “Heavy Meets Small” in 1999 aimed at promoting MSME industries in the Saurashtra region as ancillary industries to heavy industries and PSUs to promote the region’s economic growth. Thousands of these industries were empaneled with the PSUs to boost their industrial growth.
Humanitarian Relief Post 2001 Earthquake
Dr. Kathiria confronted an enormous responsibility in January 2001 when a devastating earthquake struck Gujarat. He immediately devoted himself to rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts, working round the clock in the worst affected areas.
For nearly two months, Dr. Kathiria stationed himself in relief camps to monitor rehabilitation efforts. He arranged transitional shelters and coordinated with NGOs, state and central government agencies for constructing new infrastructure and housing. His courageous leadership provided succour to thousands and restored hope amidst calamity.
Pioneering Water Conservation Efforts
Since the 1990s, Dr. Kathiria has spearheaded water conservation efforts to address droughts in Saurashtra. He pioneered the check dam movement, mobilising funds and community participation for constructing thousands of check dams.
Dr. Kathiria also promoted other techniques like desilting village lakes, well recharging, watershed development, and tree plantation. Through his water campaigns, he increased groundwater levels and promoted sustainable agricultural practices in the region. His pioneering environmentalism earned him the moniker “Check Dam Sansad”.
Championing Blood Donation
Dr. Kathiria also made an exceptional impact through his record of donating blood voluntarily 132 times till date. This number is the highest among medical professionals and political leaders. He believes that charity begins at home. Since his college days, he organised numerous blood donation camps all over India.
On the auspicious occasion of his centurion blood donation in Rajkot, more than 7644 people hailing from various strata of society donated their blood, creating an unbroken record of the highest number of people donating blood at a single location on a single day.
This initiative was showered with praises by all walks of society with a noted dignitary saying “Politicians generally suck blood, but Vallabhbhai is a unique politician who donates blood.
Phulchaab daily reported that blood banks had no more empty bottles to collect blood on that day, thereby forcing to stop the blood donation camp. Thus, the memory of this blood donation drive continues to live in the hearts of people of Saurashtra to this day.
Agro Vision Fair
To raise health and social awareness, Dr. Kathiria organised numerous public campaigns in Rajkot district. In 2003, he hosted the Agro Vision agricultural fair along with seminars, attracting more than five lakh farmers and visitors inspired by the vision and leadership of the then CM Shri Narendra Modiji to boost Gujarat’s agro economy.
2003 Book Fair
In 2003, Vallabhbhai organised a national level book fair in Rajkot to popularize reading as habit among the public. This fair attracted thousands of people and generated book sales amounting to crores.
he event also included seminars and lectures by authors along with elocution competition and Kavi Sammelans. Dr. Kathiria gained recognition as the leader that inspired Gujaratis to read literature who are otherwise known to be fond of ledger books.
Aarogya Mela
In 2004, Dr. Vallabhbhai Kathiria organized a national level Aarogya Mela in Rajkot. During this three-day long program, more than 1 lakh patients were examined, diagnosed, and treated free of charge by a team of more than 300 doctors of various specialties from PDU college and IMA Rajkot. This health fair was considered as a model Aarogya Mela at the national landscape and iwas appreciated by leaders like Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Shrimati Sushma Swaraj.
This Mela included exhibitors of allopathy, ayurveda, and other traditional medicine systems as well as yoga and meditation. Health awareness seminars were also organised simultaneously.
Engagement With Various Charitable Trusts and Hospitals
Being at the helm of public life and social welfare, Dr. Kathiria is associated actively with the below trusts:
- Shri Arvindbhai Maniar Jankalyan Trust
- Vasundhra Trust
- Sadhbhavna Trust (Mahua)
- Shrimati Rekhaben Katharia Trust (Morbi)
- Aadarsh Sevamandal Trust (Patanvav)
- Saurashtra Leuva Patidar Federration Trust (Ahmedabad)
- Shri Arvindbhai Maniar Sahkar Seva Trust
- Saurashtra Leprosy Eradication Trust
- Arti Charitable Trust (Khirasara)
- Dhammkot Vipasana Kendra (Mahua)
- Dr. BD Kakadiya Smruti Trust
The facilitate medical camps, literary workshops, health awareness programs, personality development programs, water conservation drives, tree plantation movements, religious discourses, competitive examination.
coaching, youth development, women empowerment. These trusts also work in the direction of sports, medical camps, blood banks, deaddiction drives, and cultural activities. Among these initiatives, mobile dispensaries and drug banks are unique permanent programs.
He is also associated with the below hospitals and institutions:
- B. T. Savani kidney Hospital
- Sadhbhavna Hospital (Morbi)
- Ram Hospital (Gondal)
- Jalaram Hospital
- Jainath Hospital
- Saraswati Sishumandir
- Lang Library
Nation building and humanitarian activities are the common motives of these trusts. They strive to achieve सर्वजन हिताय, सर्वजन सुखाय mantra of Indian culture.
Champion of Indigenous Cattle Conservation and Development
As Chairman of the Gau Seva Aayog and then Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog, Dr. Kathiria spearheaded indigenous cattle development programs across the nation.
His schemes encompass cattle health, breeding, organic farming innovations, entrepreneurship, and livelihood generation for farmers and cattle owners.
Dr. Kathiria’s field visits and awareness drives on spiritual and economic benefits of cow protection are building national consciousness on preserving and developing India’s native cattle breeds. On 31st December, 2021, he established the Global Confederation of Cow-Based Industries (GCCI)- an international NGO as formalised initiative in the direction of cow welfare.
In 2023, Dr. Kathiria organised “GauTech 2023 – Cow based Global Investment Summit and Expo” under the banner of GCCI. It was an innovative event held from May 24 to May 28, 2023 at the Race Course Ground in Rajkot, highlighting the significance of the mother cow in Indian culture and its multifaceted role in global perspective. Spanning over 70,000 square meter area, it featured200+ air-conditioned stalls, showcasing various cow-based businesses and products.
The event served as a platform for experts to share insights on the cow-centric industry through seminars. Evening folklore programs celebrated cow-based traditions, while ceremonies like Gau Gayatri Yagna and Gau Pujan emphasised the cultural heritage surrounding the mother cow.
An exclusive Investors’ Meet showcased the event’s importance, facilitating discussions for potential collaborations. Dignitaries form Gau Seva Aayogs of various states, government bodies, religious organisations, and start-up in the cow-focused domain graced the event. High-profile attendance, including Governors, Ministers, MPs, and MLAs amplified the event’s significance. Live broadcasts ensured its reach extended internationally.
Despite being the first exhibition cum summit of its kind globally, GauTech 2023 witnessed more than 2.5 lakh visitors. It laid the foundation of cow-based start-ups with Government support.
GCCI is working with government to establish an industrial park for cow-based industries in the near future.
GauTech 2023 was not just an exhibition; it symbolised the reverence and multifaceted roles of the cow, underscoring its relevance in history, culture, environment, and economy.
