It all started with a desire to help the underprivileged section of the society.
In April 2009, young Vishal Sanghvi went on a leisure trip to the Little Rann of Kutch. He went there as a tourist to explore a new form of nature, but the painful life of the locals touched his heart.
This sowed the seeds of “Setu”, an organization that now strives to bring a difference in the lives of Agariyas (Salt-Farmers) who live in harsh conditions to make a living in the Little Rann of Kutch.
A small group of Family & Friends initiated small efforts, later like-minded people joined in, and the combined efforts led to the formation of a TRUST (NGO) in 2013.
Institutional support is necessary to carry out activities to help the marginalised and deprived sections of the society for it to be feasible and effective on a large scale and in the long term.
Not only this, it is imperative to get help from like-minded people and other organizations in this activity.
Setu Charitable Trust was formed with this idea.
Salt is essential for life, but the process of obtaining salt makes life difficult for many. Even after India’s independence, the Agrariyas (Salt-Farmers) did not get freedom from illiteracy, disease, poverty and insecurity.
These Salt-Works in the Little Rann of Kutch are only about 100 kms from Ahmedabad, but the plight of the Agrariyas (Salt-Farmers) remains largely unknown to the general public. Basic facilities like housing, potable water, education and health are grossly inadequate here. Malnutrition and illiteracy is a matter of great concern.
Agarias perform menial labour in the desert for 8 months a year braving harsh conditions of the sea, wind, sun and earth and the compensation is comparatively meager. Here in summer the daytime temperature is 48 to 50 degrees Celsius, with no sight of shelter nearby. And in Winter, the Temperatures drops nearly to zero at night coupled with bone-chilling winds.
Agrariyas (Salt-Farmers) who live constantly in Salt Water suffer from skin diseases, joint pain, anemia, nutritional deficiencies, stomach ailments, high blood pressure, tuberculosis and gangrene.
Agrariyas (Salt-Farmers) live amidst many hardships. It is nearly impossible for a single entity to solve each and every problem in their life at once. Setu therefore aims to address the Health Care needs of all the people and their families working in Salt-Works.
Aarogya (Health): With a permanent Aarogya Kendra (Medical Centre) and a fully equipped Pathology Lab in Kharaghoda, Setu is currently impacting more than 60,000 lives. Alongwith this daily operational Aarogya Kendra (Medical Centre), Setu also operates 2 Telemedicine Vans to reach out to the patients in nearby villages. Setu also conducts Special OPDs for Diabetes, Skin, ENT, Pediatric and Dental Care. Till now,
1,33,200 General OPDs, 1,100 Special OPDs and 12,250 Lab Tests have been conducted in 14 villages.