The USA Chapter of Jaipur Foot, a non-profit organization that supplies prosthetics to the disabled and is known worldwide, recently hosted India’s Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale, in Long Island. The dinner was hosted by Chairman of Jaipur Foot USA Prem Bhangari and president of Rajasthan Association of North America, a press release from the organization said.
Minister Athawale shares a longstanding association with Jaipur Foot USA. In 2023, he inaugurated two major camps for the differently-abled (Divyangjan) in Hyderabad and Tirupati. These camps were organized in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) of NY, NJ, CT & NE) and Jaipur Foot USA’s parent body, Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS).
Speaking at the event, Bhandari highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s declaration of the “Panch Teerth” — five sacred sites associated with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s life:
1. Mhow – his birthplace,
2. Nagpur – Deeksha Bhoomi,
3. London – where he pursued higher education,
4. Delhi – where he passed away,
5. Mumbai – where he was cremated.
To commemorate Dr. Ambedkar’s 125th birth anniversary in 2016, BMVSS organized two Jaipur Foot camps — one in Mhow and the other at Deeksha Bhoomi in Nagpur. Mr. Bhandari announced that, under the guidance of BMVSS Founder and Chief Patron Padma Bhushan Shri D.R. Mehta, preparations are underway for upcoming camps in Delhi and Mumbai.
He expressed gratitude for the continued support that BMVSS and Jaipur Foot USA have received from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of External Affairs, under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi.
Bhandari also commended India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador P. Harish, for organizing a special event at the UN on June 10 on Jaipur Foot and BMVSS to showcase India’s pioneering work in lower limb disability empowerment. The event will feature the impactful contributions of BMVSS in India and globally. BMVSS Founder and Chief Patron D.R. Mehta and BMVSS President Ambassador Satish Mehta will arrive in New York on June 9 to participate in the event.
Since its inception in 1975, BMVSS has benefited over 2.4 million differently-abled individuals by providing them with Jaipur Foot and other assistive devices. The organization has conducted 114 international camps in 44 countries, including 32 camps under the ‘India for Humanity’ initiative — fully sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Bhandari, who recently visited Guatemala and Trinidad & Tobago, said that Jaipur Foot camps have been approved by the Ministry of External Affairs in Guatemala – 600 limbs; Sudan – 600 limbs; and Trinidad & Tobago – 800 limbs. All three camps will be conducted later this year. An artificial limb fitment center will soon be opened in Malawi with MEA support, following the announcement made by President Droupadi Murmu last year, Bhandari added.
Minister Athawale assured Bhandari of his full support for the upcoming camps in Delhi and Mumbai, and also praised the work carried out by Jaipur Foot USA’s parent organization BMVSS in India and around the world. He assured the gathering he would request Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider establishing a memorial for Dr. Ambedkar in New York. In response, Bhandari stated that his family would be the first to contribute toward this noble cause.
The dinner was attended by prominent community leaders and members from RANA, Jaipur Foot USA, BRUHUD Seniors New York, AIA, AAPI, RAJMAI, REDIO, and other Indian-American organizations. Numerous other public officials and community leaders were also present.
