Our future goals include expanding our healthcare services and continuing to support those in need.
Viresh Shah
Founder
Shri Arihant Young Group
Mumbai
Shri Arihant Young Group (AYG) is about to complete 7 years and enter its 8th. Could you share the initial vision behind the formation of AYG and how it has evolved over these past years?
The initial vision behind the formation of AYG was to do something meaningful and fruitful for our people and the community. Over the years, this vision has grown stronger with every successful initiative and the overwhelming support from the community.
AYG has been involved in a diverse range of activities, from cultural events like ‘Navratri Pahela Ni Ramzat’ and ‘Fun n Fair’ to significant healthcare initiatives and community support. What would you consider some of the most impactful achievements of AYG in these years, and why?
Every event has been successful by the grace of God and community support. The huge success of Navratri inspired us to organize more events like Fun n Fair, Shikharji and Antrikshji Yatra, motivational speeches by Kajal Oza, and dance programs to raise funds for cancer patients. Each initiative has brought the community closer and made a real difference.
The healthcare initiatives undertaken by AYG, including donations to cancer societies, facilitating surgeries, and establishing the AYG Health Care Centre, seem particularly significant. What motivated AYG to focus so strongly on healthcare, and what are your future goals in this domain?
AYG realized that medical expenses are extremely high, causing people to avoid even basic check-ups. We wanted to change that by making healthcare more accessible to our community. Our future goals include expanding our healthcare services and continuing to support those in need.
The ‘unforgettable Shri Samet Shikharji Yatra Pravas’ for 700 yatris is a large-scale undertaking. Could you elaborate on the planning and execution of such events and the significance they hold for the community?
The Shikharji Yatra was a major challenge for us as AYG was only one and a half years old at the time. We received confirmation from 700 people on the very first day. With strong support from donors, volunteers, committee members, and all yatris, the event was a tremendous success and left a lasting impact. It also encouraged us to plan more such pilgrimages in the future.
AYG has also focused on education and providing support to the ‘Sadharmik Parivar.’ Can you share some examples of how AYG’s educational help has made a difference in the lives of individuals and families?
We discovered that many families in our community couldn’t afford school or college fees for their children. With support from our donors, we managed to pay fees for such children, enabling them to pursue quality education and achieve their dreams.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, AYG actively provided support through cash, food grains, hospital admissions, and PPE kit distribution. What were some of the key challenges faced during this period, and what lessons did AYG learn from this experience?
During the pandemic, we provided food grains and cash to those in need while wearing PPE kits. We helped people get hospital admissions even during bed shortages. We received numerous calls for help, especially at night, and did our best to respond to everyone. The blessings we received during that time motivated us to focus even more on healthcare.
The collaboration with prestigious hospitals in South Mumbai to provide benefits and discounts to AYG members is a significant achievement. How did these partnerships come about, and what kind of impact have they had on the community?
We wanted to provide tangible benefits to our community, so we personally met hospital management teams and convinced them to offer good discounts to AYG members. Today, our members are availing major discounts at top hospitals, all thanks to the support and trust we received from these institutions.
AYG has organized numerous medical camps, including specialized camps for orthopedics, gynecology, heart health, and even vaccination drives. What is the strategy behind these medical outreach programs, and how do you assess their effectiveness?
Our strategy was to raise awareness about health issues, so we organized various camps and seminars. These events were well-attended and highly successful, including gynecology, heart, orthopedic, dermatology camps, and many smaller initiatives. They have significantly contributed to community well-being.
AYG’s activities also include initiatives focused on children, such as drawing competitions, religious fancy dress, and renovating wards at Wadia Children’s Hospital. What is AYG’s philosophy regarding engaging and supporting the younger generation within the community?
There is immense talent in our community that simply needs a platform to shine. We organized competitions in various fields to encourage and showcase this talent. We believe in nurturing the younger generation as they are the future of our community.
Looking ahead, as AYG enters its 8th year, what are some of the key priorities and future aspirations for the group under your leadership? Are there any new areas or initiatives that AYG plans to focus on in the coming years?
Our primary focus will remain on serving our community in the best possible way and helping the younger generation to grow. We aim to explore new areas of support and enhance our existing initiatives to reach more people effectively.
