May 4, 2022
NEW YORK (TIP): Amid the ongoing Ukraine war, Jaipur Foot USA is looking at possibilities to hold limb fitment camps for needy soldiers and civilians injured in the conflict, a PTI report says.
Jaipur Foot USA Chairman Prem Bhandari along with Joint Secretary, Jaipur Foot USA Nishant Garg met the Consul General of Ukraine in New York Oleksii Holubov on Tuesday, May 4.
They also met New York City’s Commissioner for International Affairs Edward Mermelstein, Deputy Commissioner- Trade, Investment and Innovation for New York City Mayor’s Office for International Affairs Dilip Chauhan and General Counsel for the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs Sarah Friedman.
During the initial meeting, Bhandari raised the issue of the possibility of organizing Jaipur Foot camps to help soldiers and civilians injured in Ukraine war.
Bhandari said that given the current circumstances that may make holding camps in Ukraine difficult, the organization will explore options to hold a pilot project for such camps in countries neighboring Ukraine such as Poland.
To a question from The Indian Panorama, if the Jaipur Foot USA will provide their services to Russian soldiers and civilians, too, Mr. Bhandari said their organization believes in serving all people in need of their services.
To another question on whether or not the limbs will be provided at a cost or free, Mr. Bhandari said the limbs are provided absolutely free. “Since 1975, we have not charged even 10 cents”, Mr. Bhandari said.
The organization has been providing artificial limbs at zero cost to those in need, including children affected by armed conflicts.
He said he discussed the proposal with Padma Bhushan awardee D R Mehta, the founder and chief patron of Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), the parent body of Jaipur Foot USA.
So far, over 1.90 million beneficiaries of BMVSS have been fitted/provided with Jaipur Foot limb, calipers, and aids and appliances in India as well as in 33 countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America, including through 85 international camps.
Bhandari said that in line with the Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – the World is One Family – Jaipur Foot believes in this philosophy and inculcates it in its mission of helping those in need.
Jaipur Foot has zero per cent administrative cost, he said, adding that “BMVSS is a secular, non-religious, non-governmental, non-political, non-sectarian, non-regional and not for profit charitable organization set up to help the physically challenged, particularly the financially weak and underprivileged.”