Vicharta Samuday Samarthan Manch Founder
Ahmedabad, Gujarat,UPDATED: Mar 22, 2024 17:25 IST
Mittal Patel, our first driver of change, chose a less conventional path for her career, and has dedicated herself for social work. Her work has been a selfless endeavour to empower the marginalised and delisted tribes of Gujarat. To give structure to her social work, she founded the Vicharta Samyday Samarthan Manch (VSSM), to secure rights for nomadic and denotified tribes.
Working against societal stigma, Patel's relentless efforts have led to over 1,00,000 tribal members gaining voting rights and 12,000 families obtaining ration cards. Through VSSM, 1,500 families received residential plots. Patel's advocacy began with the marginalised Dafer tribe, who survived on hunting and forest produce and were labelled as a criminal tribe by the community. Has has helped in securing loans for 100 families and facilitating employment for the youth, formerly involved in crime.
She also empowered the Saraniyas, addressing issues of sexual exploitation and stigma. Patel envisions a hostel with vocational training and a museum to preserve nomadic culture, emphasising the urgency to act before these traditions vanish. Through her work, Patel brings dignity and hope to communities long neglected by society and government alike.
Published By:
Anagh Bhaskar
Published On:
Mar 22, 2024
English (US) ·