Shekhar Mehta Day
US town names 'day' after Indian philanthropist Shekhar Mehta
Wallace, USA/IBNS: In a rare declaration in the city of Wallace in Carolina, USA, Kolkata-based philanthropist and current worldwide President of Rotary International (RI), Shekhar Mehta, had a day named after him.
The Mayor of Wallace for North Carolina, Jason Wells, made an official proclamation declaring, “Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta Day” for his unstinted support and leadership in constructing 500 homes for tsunami survivors in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Under his belt of initiatives, he has aided in corrective heart surgeries for 2,000 children, built more than 7,000 toilets for over 35,000 villagers in West Bengal apart from setting up 15 eye hospitals in India.
The Shelter Kit program for natural disasters survivors was also undertaken by him.
RI President Shekhar Mehtas said, “Service is that rent I pay for occupying the space on this Earth and Service Above Self is my motto.”
Talking about one of his pet projects, Mehta, a leading builder, said, "The Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 devastated the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which are part of my district. Thousands of homes were destroyed, and many areas lost electricity and running water."
"On my visit to Little Andaman Island, the builder in me immediately wanted to build homes for the homeless islanders there. We decided to construct 500 homes on Little Andaman."
"On the last of my seven trips to the island, I could see something glimmering below as my helicopter was about to land. I realised that what I was seeing were the roofs of new homes. I was overjoyed by the sight, and soon a realisation dawned upon me, he said.
"As a builder I had built many beautiful buildings. In comparison, these 500 homes were the most ordinary buildings I had ever built, and they were in a place I likely will never visit again, for people I will never meet again," he added.
Currently, Shekhar Mehta is located in Evanston, Chicago for one year.
As the President of the world’s major service body, he heads an organisation of 1.2 million personnel across 215 countries.
Mehta's stint will end on June 30 this year.
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