By Namita S Kalla
Most of us on this planet sweat blood in order to follow an ambition that drives us towards success and self-satisfaction. But not many have the audacity to deal with delicate issues that are concerned with the poor and the downtrodden. It is true that only a few fortunate and valiant persons choose the path that is jammed with misery. Such people intrude the miseries of the poor and work towards clearing the despair with their sincere efforts. Mr. Devendra Raj Mehta, a retired IAS officer is one such man, a man of essence.
Born in June 1937 at Jodhpur, Mr.Devendra completed his schooling from Sardar School Jodhpur and later finished his graduation in Arts. He further studied law from the Rajasthan University, Jaipur and went on to join the Royal Institute of Public Administration, London and Alfred Sloan School of Management, Boston (USA). Calling himself a failed Lawyer (while we would prefer to say a failed liar) he became the IAS in the year1961 and took up diverse responsible positions at both the State and the Central government. He has served as the collector of Barmer, Sikar and Jaisalmer and has also been the secretary of the State government positions in industries and mines. He remained the secretary to the state chief minister twice. During his tenure with the state government, Devendra was also appointed the Anti body Commissioner of Rajasthan to implement the novel scheme of the upliftment of the deprived. He also served as the Relief Commissioner of Rajasthan.
His other accomplishments include working as the Joint Secretary, Controller of Capital Issues and Additional Secretary, Banking in the ministry of Finance, the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports in the capacity of the Director General of the Foreign Trade during the time when the fundamental changes were introduced in the Exim policy of the
country under the first financial reforms exercise in the country. In1992, he was appointed the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. It was then that the banking reforms were introduced to ensure the financial consolidation of the Indian banks. Further, in 1995, he took the charge as the Chairman of the Security and
Exchange Board of India (SEBI). It was during his term that a swing
of reformative actions were introduced in the SEBI, which included
important policy changes and about 40 regulations in order to make the
Indian Capital Market the superior in the world.
In 1969, when Mr. Devendra was the collector of Jaiselmer and was returning from a draught relief distribution, he met with a serious accident, the one that almost cost him his leg. As destiny had it Devendra’s leg wasn’t surgically removed but the pain and inconvenience that he felt during that period made him realize the plight of the amputees. He then made up his mind to set up an NGO that would provide the artificial limbs/calipers to the physically challenged, especially those who are underprivileged. After countless efforts his vision cracked in the year 1975 with the name Bhagwan Mahaveer Vikland Sahayata Samiti, Jaipur.
country under the first financial reforms exercise in the country. In1992, he was appointed the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. It was then that the banking reforms were introduced to ensure the financial consolidation of the Indian banks. Further, in 1995, he took the charge as the Chairman of the Security and
Exchange Board of India (SEBI). It was during his term that a swing
of reformative actions were introduced in the SEBI, which included
important policy changes and about 40 regulations in order to make the
Indian Capital Market the superior in the world.
In 1969, when Mr. Devendra was the collector of Jaiselmer and was returning from a draught relief distribution, he met with a serious accident, the one that almost cost him his leg. As destiny had it Devendra’s leg wasn’t surgically removed but the pain and inconvenience that he felt during that period made him realize the plight of the amputees. He then made up his mind to set up an NGO that would provide the artificial limbs/calipers to the physically challenged, especially those who are underprivileged. After countless efforts his vision cracked in the year 1975 with the name Bhagwan Mahaveer Vikland Sahayata Samiti, Jaipur.
The then one room NGO has now matured into a largest organization with 19 pan India centers for the handicapped around the world and the number of its beneficiaries has crossed about a million. It provides artificial limbs/calipers, other aids and
devices like hand operated tri cycles, wheelchairs, crutches etc.
besides the financial and other required support for self-employment.
The association of the organization with the maker of the famous Jaipur
Foot proved so commendable that it improved the expediency
and popularity of Jaipur Foot across the globe and this recognition
led to a burst in fixing of the Jaipur Foot from a scanty 50 between
the period of 1968 to 1975 to a monstrous 10000 in next seven years and
now, under the sponsorship of this organization around 20000 odd limbs are fitted every year.
His altruistic work continues even today when he has reached the age of 73. Today, he is more like a kid who toils hard to keep his kite moving in the sky, irrespective of all the hurdles. It is his never say die attitude that enables him to meet around 100 patients everyday. He patiently lends his ear to them and discusses their financial and social conditions and helps them in every way he can. It is his will to help others that keeps him moving ahead and moving strongly.
For the strength and concern that he offers to the poor he has been endorsed with an assortment of awards and honors. A few of which include the celebrated Padma Bhushan award in the year 2008, the Satpal Mittal award, CNBC
award for Social Enterprise, the Diwali Bahan award by Dalai Lama, the
Indian for Collective Action award in San Francisco, the esteemed
Tech Museum Innovation award at Silicon Valley (USA) in 2007 and etcetra.
award for Social Enterprise, the Diwali Bahan award by Dalai Lama, the
Indian for Collective Action award in San Francisco, the esteemed
Tech Museum Innovation award at Silicon Valley (USA) in 2007 and etcetra.
There is a flood of experiences, each amazing than the other, that the man shared with me in the two hours that I spent with him. Some day I shall share those with you! :)
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