Sheth Maneklal Gordhandas Parekh was an eminent citizen belonging to the Gujarati Baniya community and the founder of the Dasha Srimali Mumbaigara Vanik community. A silk merchant by profession, he had dealings with the British and was influenced by some of their ideologies. Being a wealthy citizen, he had his own weekend home in Borivali, which in the heydays was referred to as part of the countryside.

 

It was his sincere wish that for his fellow community brethren, who were seeking

commercial opportunities in Mumbai as well as those who were not fortunate enough to own their own private weekend getaways, he would facilitate a venture for the purpose of both economic upliftment as well as rest and recuperation at highly subsidized prices along the English concept of a weekend country home to soothe one’s nerves.

 

He entrusted this role to his wife, Shrimati Haribai Parekh who took this task uponherself post her husband’s death and started construction of the sanatorium in 1930 in Ghatkopar, a suburb of Mumbai, back then considered part of the countryside as well. Her splendid work was carried forward by her son Late Manilal Parekh and grandson Late Jagdish Manilal Parekh who have been instrumental in taking the Trust to the heights it enjoys today. A notable fact of the Trust is that it accepts no donations.

 

The sanatorium back then was popular with the migrant population from Gujarat of the above mentioned sub-community who had come to Mumbai in search of commercial opportunities and dreams of a better life as well as rejuvenation. Subsequently as Mumbai grew in size and Ghatkopar ceased to be a part of the countryside, it was decided in the mid 1990’s by the Board of Trustees to shift the location to a hill station.

  

 

The Story Today...

  

A 4.5 acre property with dense green foliage in Lonavala with proximity to the railway station and bus depot was selected. The objective was to create a rustic clean green environment in synergy with nature. To give the beneficiaries a feeling of space, a concept much missing in Mumbai, single storey spaced out and airy cottages were decided. Finally on the 21st of December, 2000, the Lonavala venue was operational.

 

Beneficiaries have the choice of cooking their own food or they can choose to take their meals in the canteen which serves fresh wholesome food (Gujarati Thali) at highly economical prices. Any kind of non- vegetarian food and alcohol is not permitted on the premises. The Trust has been fortunate to host many Bhagwad Gita as well as Upanishad readings by notable and learned scholars.The trust engages only local labor and does as much sourcing as possible locally. The institute is now run by the next generation of the Parekh family.

 

Mission & Values

 

Apart from further improving the infrastructure of the existing sanatorium,

making it more efficient and world class and sensitized to the needs of the old,

disabled and individuals with special needs; the Trust would like to undertake

developmental activities that provide a dual aspect- creation of employment and

improvement in the standard of living of the local population that it hires as well as providing service to society. Service for the Trust includes but is not limited to religious, spiritual, health, education and wellness endeavours.