Eighty four-year-old Janardan Bhatt, a retired employee of State Bank of Saurashtra (SBS), set an example by donating Rs 1 crore to the National Defence Fund (NDF) for the welfare of jawans and their families.
NDF is used for the welfare of the members of the Armed Forces (including Para Military Forces) and their dependents. It was set up to take charge of voluntary donations in cash and kind received for promotion of the national Defence effort, and to decide on their utilisation.
Based in coastal town, Bhavnagar Bhatt has no son or daughter and hence he decided to donate all his savings for the noble cause. “In the recent past I had been watching news related to martyred jawans and the way they are guarding our borders in challenging conditions. At this age, I did what best I could do,” said Bhatt.
Many celebrities including movie star Akshay Kumar, cricketer Gautam Gambhir among others hit the headlines by donating huge amount for such noble cause. In the case of Bhatt, he belongs to a middle class family and has a heart to donate all his savings for the jawans. After retirement, he had invested his Provident Fund smartly which yielded him hefty returns. Now he is using money for the noble cause.
“During his entire career, Bhatt was active in SBS Employees Union. As a union leader he had helped many of his colleagues and fought
with management for their rights. Even after retirement, he was active in social services in his hometown Bhavnagar,” said his ex-colleague Mahas-
ukhbhai Dave, adding that all those who had worked with him are feeling proud for Bhatt.
This not first time Bhatt came forward for the noble cause. In the past too he and his likeminded friends collected and donated more than Rs 50 lakh for various social causes.
The NDF is administered by an Executive Committee, with Prime Minister as the chairperson, and Defence, Finance and Home Ministers as members.