New Delhi, January 26: The Sahyog Leprosy Trust in Gujarat and its dedicated staff are celebrating the recognition of their founder, Suresh Soni, who has been honored with the prestigious Padma Shri award for his selfless and tireless service to leprosy patients over several decades.
The Sahyog Leprosy Trust, located in Gujarat, is home to over 1,000 leprosy patients, providing care and support to those in need. At the heart of this remarkable initiative is Suresh Soni, the Trust’s director, whose dedication has earned him the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honor.
Suresh Soni, widely respected in his community, has spent 37 years serving people who are disabled and destitute. His Sahyog Leprosy Trust, located just 30 kilometers from Himmatnagar on National Highway 48, currently cares for 1,056 individuals, including those with leprosy, mental health issues, and disabilities.
The Trust was founded in 1978 on a 31-acre plot in Raigarh village, near Himmatnagar. Suresh Soni made the decision to leave his job as a professor and commit himself to the welfare of those most in need. He and his family have since built the organization into a vital center of support for leprosy patients, all without any government funding, relying solely on donations.
For many leprosy patients, the disease leads to abandonment by their families and society. Sahyog Trust has become a beacon of hope for these individuals. In addition to leprosy patients, the Trust cares for 436 people with disabilities, 250 with leprosy, 80 with mental illnesses like schizophrenia, and 26 HIV-positive patients. People from across India, including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and West Bengal, also find refuge here.
Though now in his 80s, Suresh Soni’s commitment to social service remains unwavering. Reflecting on his past, he shared how, years ago, as a professor in Vadodara, he chose a life partner who embraced his values. Before marriage, he wrote a 17-page letter to his wife, Indiraben, outlining his vision for a simple life, devoid of luxury, and dedicated to serving society. Indiraben has been a steadfast supporter of his mission, actively contributing to the Trust’s work.
