Mr. G. G. Parikh
Chairman, Yusuf Meherally Centre
Area of Intervention
Comprehensive healthcare, Education (both mainstream and skill-based Vocational Training), empowerment of women and Adivasis (tribal communities) in village industries, agricultural skill development, off-farm employment generation, and disaster relief efforts.
These impactful activities are carried out through its network of ten branches across India, spanning regions such as Maharashtra, Kutch (Gujarat), Nagapattinam (Tamil Nadu), Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, and even Kerala.
About
Established in 1961, The Yusuf Meherally Centre has been actively involved in a diverse range of philanthropic endeavors. These initiatives encompass comprehensive healthcare, education (both mainstream and skill-based), empowerment of women and Adivasis (tribal communities) in village industries, agricultural skill development, off-farm employment generation, and disaster relief efforts. These impactful activities are carried out through its network of ten branches across India, spanning regions such as Maharashtra, Kutch (Gujarat), Nagapattinam (Tamil Nadu), Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, and even Kerala.
G.G. Parikh, a 96-year-old (in 2021) individual born in Surendra Nagar (formerly Wadhwan camp) on December 30, 1924, underwent his education in Saurashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Mumbai. He pursued a career as a medical practitioner.
During his life, G.G. Parikh had a remarkable journey. He was imprisoned both during the Quit India movement and the emergency period. Notably, he volunteered at the famous AlCC session of the Indian National Congress in Mumbai in April 1942.
G.G. Parikh’s commitment to social causes remained unwavering throughout his life. He actively participated in the student movement during his student days and held the position of President of the Bombay unit of the Student’s Congress in 1947 when India gained independence. He also made significant contributions to the trade union movement and played a role in promoting consumer cooperatives.
In 1961, G.G. Parikh was among the individuals who played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Yusuf Meherally Centre, and he has continued to serve the organization in various capacities, currently holding the position of Chairman.
His dedication extended to the realm of journalism, where he oversaw the “Janata,” a socialist weekly, starting from the early 1950s and continuing to be associated with it to this day. Furthermore, he played a key role in the Yusuf Meherally Centenary Committee as its Secretary, alongside Justice (Retd.) Chandrashekhar Dharmadhikari.
G.G. Parikh’s journey also includes his involvement in the student movement in Saurashtra and Mumbai since 1940, a ten-month imprisonment during the Quit India movement in 1942, promotion of student cooperatives and consumer cooperatives, becoming a cadet member of the CSP (Congress Socialist Party) in 1946, and an enduring commitment to the socialist movement.
Despite being 96 years old and battling an infected thigh due to an uncured fracture, G.G. Parikh’s dedication remains unwavering. He continues to work tirelessly, dedicating 14 hours a day to his profession as a physician at his clinic in Mumbai and traveling to the Yusuf Meherally Centre, a model of village industrialization situated in Tara village, 64 kilometers from Mumbai on the Mumbai-Goa road.
Notably, G.G. Parikh has received recognition for his social work, including the FIE Foundation Award. His enduring commitment to social causes and tireless work ethic exemplify a life dedicated to service and community betterment.
